Page 30 of Merci

“What?” I asked, making my way next to him.

“You look very familiar, Hammer. What’s your last name?”

“You’re already late enough,” I said before Hammer could reply. “You should probably head out, bae.”

“You’re right. I’ll see you later.” He dropped a quick kiss to my lips before telling my mother it was good to meet her again, then he left.

“Just give me a few minutes to freshen up, and I’ll be ready to go,” I said, trying to scurry out of the kitchen, but she didn’t let me.

“Who is his family?”

“I don’t know,” I mumbled. “He thinks when I find out, that it will break us up, so he made me promise not to look them up.”

“Does he plan to tell you who he comes from?”

“Yes. In his own timing.”

Her mouth twisted to the side and head shook. “I don’t like that, baby. I get very good vibes from him. He’s a charmer, for sure, yet he seems genuine. But he looks too familiar for me to ignore, and that makes me concerned about who his family is.”

“Well, I want to know too, but I want him to tell me himself.”

“I’m not saying betray his trust by looking into him, but don’t let him betray yours either. You need to know who he comes from. If he’s not willing to share that with you, that’s a red flag.”

Sighing, I twiddled my thumbs. “I know, Ma.”

“Alright. As long as you know. Gone get ready, nasty lil girl. Never thought I’d see the day I’d walk in on my daughter fu?—”

“Oh my God, Ma!”

“Don’t be yelling my name like you weren’t yelling his before I walked in that door.”

“Ma!”

This was probably the most awkward dinner Hammer and I ever had. Hell, even our first time in each other’s presence wasn’t as awkward as this. After what Ma said, I took three days away from him to think. I knew eventually that the truth of who Hammer came from would come out, and though he was sure it would end things between us, I had no earthly idea who he could be attached to for him to think that. During our time apart, I considered if I wanted to keep things as they were, knowing he held a secret that could break us up.

This afternoon, I went to his place and did a few loads of laundry since his house was already clean. I picked his suits and shirts for the rest of the week and fixed dinner so it would be ready when he came home. Now we were eating dinner, not talking, and avoiding each other’s eyes, which was certainly not like us.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I pushed my plate to the side and stared at him until he looked at me.

“What’s on your mind, Ms. Merci?” he asked before wiping his mouth.

“I need to know who your family is and what that has to do with our relationship.”

“Are you asking because you already know or…”

My head shook. “No. I told you I wouldn’t look into you, and I keep my word. I’d like for you to tell me who you are.”

“I already have, and more importantly, I’ve been showing you who I am every day.”

“You know what I mean, Hammer,” I stressed softly. “Who do you come from?”

His tongue rolled over his cheek before he pushed his plate forward and rested his elbows on the table.

“If I tell you that, I’ma lose you. I don’t want to.”

“So, what?” I chuckled as my frustration built. “You think we’re just going to spend the rest of our lives with me never knowing where you come from? With you never being around my people?”

“I mean… I didn’t expect it to be that way forever, but damn. I wanted it to last as long as it could.”