"I'm just amazed that a woman so
beautiful could go through such
ugliness and not become it."
-Joe Budden
N O R I A H :
"Odell Cornelious Beckham Junior."
Our heads snapped in the direction of the female voice. It was Heather; and judging by the look on her face, she had heard every word that'd just come from my mouth.
I immediately felt remorseful because this was not how I wanted her to find out.
"Shit." Dell hissed under his breath.
"I-I think I should go." I stammered, putting my purse over my shoulder.
"No, you stay." Heather put her hand up, blocking me.
She inched closer to Odell before striking his cheek. "I can't believe you," Heather rebuked with clenched teeth.
Odell huffed, massaging his now flushed cheek. "I deserved that," he murmured.
"And plenty more."
I stood not too far back, assimilating the intense moment between them. For a moment there, I found myself pitying him. Why or how, you might ask, after everything he's put me through? Empathy is my only answer for you. I knew what it felt like to stare into your parent's eyes and all you see is disappointment.
This thing called life was crazy; giving me the thing I've always wanted at the worst time conceivable.
"I could've had a grandbaby," Heather inquired for clarity as she blankly glanced between me and Odell.
Despite Odell and me being young and unprepared for parenthood, she was the type of person that believed babies were a blessing, no matter the circumstances. She wouldn't have let her hatred for me affect the life of her grandchild.
"Yeah," Odell and I confirmed, slightly nodding our heads. I reached up dabbing under my eye with my finger.
"Why, Odell? I rai-"
"Raised me better than that, I know. You won't let me forget." He snapped.
"Odell.." I upbraided, widening my eyes. He knows better than to disrespect his elders. Especially, his mom.
"Excuse me?" Her brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry, ma, but I ain't perfect! Every since I was young this entire family held me to these high ass standards. I was afraid that if I ain't meet them then ya'll wouldn't look at me the same. To be honest, I really don't even care for football as much as everybody think. I did it because I thought that's what you guys wanted me to do. And I didn't wanna disappoint ya'll. When Nori got pregnant, yeah, I asked her to get an abortion. I panicked. I was a junior in college, momma. I was young, immature, and selfish. I didn't tell you or dad because my entire life ya'll tried so hard to instill in me not to make the same mistakes ya'll did, and yet there I was....makin' them. And in the midst of that, I was hurtin' someone that, believe it or not, I really fuckin' loved. Now, I realize failin' you guys should've been the least of my worries. I've grown up. I'm not the same Odell. I'm an adult now. I figured out that, that means being honest. About what I want, what I need, what I feel. And most importantly, who I am..."
After Odell opened up to Heather about everything that happened between us in the past, his whole demeanor change. The truth will really set you free.
"I'm sorry you felt that you had to conceal this from me. I would never judge you. You are not a failure. You are my son. My love for you is unconditional. I wouldn't care if you wanted to work at department store for the rest of your life. Your father and I can only teach you so much. But you have to learn the value of making your own errors in life. But-"
Heather's sobs were stifled at first as she attempted to hide her indignity and guilt.
Clasping onto me for support, her body began to shake. Finally overcome by the wave of her emotions, she broke down completely. All her defenses washed away.
"I am so truly and deeply sorry." She held my face in her hands. "For everything. This family owes you."
"I did what I did outta love, therefore, you owe me nothing.."
"A person with that mindset deserves everything..."
