Lilly by Madelyn Bennett Edwards

Author:Madelyn Bennett Edwards [Edwards, Madelyn Bennett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Coming of age, romance, race relations, Jim Crow, 1960’s, KKK, LSU, Southern University, Sarah Lawrence, Louisiana, Cajun
Publisher: Madelyn Bennett Edwards
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

***

Custody

Marianne took Lilly and me to the Baton Rouge airport Saturday morning. Marianne carried Lilly into the terminal, her little arms wrapped around Mari’s neck.

"I want you to come with us," Lilly cried into Mari's shoulder.

"I can't leave my mama, and you need to go back to your mama." Marianne tried to reason with Lilly, but she was inconsolable.

"When will I see you again?" Lilly was whining and holding onto Mari.

"You'll be back. And I’ll come to New York to see you."

"Promise?"

"I promise." I was secretly excited about going home, but Lilly and I were still sad to leave Marianne.

Marianne put Lilly down, and we both cried when we said goodbye, but we were secretly excited about going home.

I expected to get a cab to my apartment, but Josh was waiting in baggage claim when we came down the escalator. Lilly started jumping up and down, yelling, "Uncle Josh! Uncle Josh!" She sprang into his arms and he winked at me over her shoulder. He finally put her down so she could run to the baggage carousel. He wrapped both arms around me and pulled me to him. He kissed me hard.

"I missed you!" He looked at me with a longing I hadn't seen in a very long time. I wanted to respond but I couldn't. Rodney had broken my heart again, and I felt distant and unsure of how I felt about Josh.

"Josh, a lot has happened. I think I'll need some time." I pulled away from him, but he kept holding one of my hands.

"You think?" He laughed, pulled me by my hand, and we caught up with Lilly. He acted like he didn't hear me.

By the time we pulled up at my apartment, it was after eight o'clock and Lilly was sound asleep in the back seat of the car. Josh carried her up the stairs and put her on my bed. I pulled off her socks and jeans and tucked her in.

"You're a natural at that." Josh had been standing at the foot of the bed watching.

"At what?"

"Mothering." He took my hand and led me to the living room. He pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me.

"Want something to drink?" I pulled away without looking him in the eye and went to the kitchen, got him a beer, and poured myself a glass of chardonnay. He sat in the chair, and I sat on the sofa.

"Well, tell me about it."

"I saw him."

"Rodney?"

"Uh, huh?" I took a long sip of my wine and tried not to look at Josh but I could feel his stare boring a hole through me.

"So?"

"It's over between us. He has someone else." I didn't look at him, and I felt tears gather under my eyelids.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm very hurt and sad."

"I'm sorry, Susie. I hate to see you hurting, but take all the time you need. I told you I'm in no rush. I'm not going away." He talked in a whisper as

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