Read Online When the Fairytale Ends by Dwan Abrams - Free Book Online Page A

he headed toward the back, he bumped into Mother Washington as she was leaving the restroom.
    â€œGood mornin’, suga,” Mother Washington said.
    Dressed in a purple suit with a matching hat that had a feather sticking out the side, Greg thought Mother Washington looked real good this morning, considering how bad her head was bothering her the night before. But he expected her to be dressed sharp because that was her motto: you could half step it throughout the week, if you so desired, but on the Lord’s day, you gave Him your Sunday best.
    â€œGood morning, Mother Washington,” Greg said as he bent over and gave her a big hug. The smell of Bengay ® assaulted his nostrils. “How’re you feeling today?”
    She sighed and massaged her temple. “You know, suga, my head ain’t bothering me as bad as it was last night, so I consider myself blessed. These old bones have seen better days, but I won’t complain.” She gave her signature smile, one that lacked about three teeth on the top row and five or six on the bottom. “I made two cobblers this morning. Got ’em sitting on the stove cooling. You make sure you come by and get ’em, okay?”
    Greg nodded, licking his lips in anticipation. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll come by after church and get them. Thank you, Mother.”
    â€œWhere’s that beautiful wife of yours?” She looked around as if she were expecting Shania to show up at any moment.
    Whenever he heard other people refer to Shania in such an endearing way, his chest filled with pride. It reminded him that he had made a good decision in making Shania his wife. He believed she deserved all of the accolades people gave her, and more.
    â€œShe’s a little tired. We had a long day yesterday, but she’ll be at the 11:30 A.M. services,” he explained.
    Mother Washington snickered and elbowed his side. “I guess you put it on her, huh?”
    Greg felt his cheeks grow hot, and he looked around to see if anyone else was standing nearby. One thing about Mother Washington was that she didn’t bite her tongue for anybody. If she felt it, she said it.
    â€œDon’t be blushing,” she said, and pinched his cheek. “Y’all is married folk now. It’s all right in God’s eyes. And I know y’all have only been married a few months, but don’t do like a lot of these modern couples.” She wagged a finger.
    Greg furrowed a brow, wondering what she was talking about.
    As if she had read his mind or his expression, Mother Washington didn’t miss a beat when she said, “I’m talkin’ ’bout babies, suga. Don’t get so caught up with stuff that don’t matter that you forget about your family. Life is short.” She looked him in the eyes. “People get married and think they got forever to sort everything out. Marriage is forever, but we got a limit on life. Give that woman a baby and don’t wait too long. Ain’t nothing more important than your family, suga.” When she said these words, she held her crumpled handkerchief against her lips, and her milky eyes glazed over with tears. She said into the handkerchief once again, “Ain’t nothing more important than your family.” She looked back up at Greg and added, “And blood ain’t always thicker than water. Sometimes water thicker than blood.”
    Greg appreciated her words of wisdom, even though he didn’t understand it all. He definitely wanted to have children with Shania one day. Right now, though, he enjoyed their time alone together, and he especially loved the spontaneity of their relationship. He liked the freedom they had. They could make love anywhere in their house, no matter what time of day or night. When they wanted to get up and go, they could. Besides their honeymoon on the island of St. Croix, most of their trips weren’t planned in advance. They’d simply pack a