Grandmother’s Table

Chapter One

She pulled over at the front of her house. It was raining, that misty light rain showering the sidewalk. The back window was rolled down, so that Kobe, her four year old Labradoodle, could hold his head out the window.

She had to finish this text. She would send it, he would think she was crazy, say “Okay” or maybe put up some resistance. But ultimately he would leave. She’d tested him enough. If he couldn’t get past her whirlwind of thoughts, emotions and high expectations, how could he manage the father of her children?

Ahmad would have to believe her. He would have to trust her, if they were to ever have anything more. Taliah couldn’t help but push him away, so she tapped away…

I feel like I wanna end things with us. I am so triggered by small things. When I’m with you things are so awesome then after a few days I’m anxious. This could be for many reasons, but would primarily include the marriage I was in. That’s why I have gone back to therapy.

Nonetheless, I thought that aspect of feelings would go away this second time around with you. I felt I could handle this type of relationship with you. And really I can’t. So, I find myself in the same space as before.

You have been so patient and gracious with me. How I behaved at the party was very embarrassing. And at the same time reminded me of how I was treated for many years. I felt like I became the person who hurt me so badly.

Is this dramatic? Yes, but my feelings be so strong. Anyways, you’re living the single childless life and it’s like your friend said…I have baggage. It doesn’t feel like baggage to me since everyone has some, but I get it. I can’t do the limbo thing with you, even though that’s what people do nowadays. It’s stressful and as much as I want you, I don’t want to be stressed. Maybe I’m archaic and an anti-feminist but this is not for me. This literally makes me feel crazy.

Should she send it? Before he had cancelled their plans together, Taliah was already on edge. These guys were either crazy, ridiculous or boring. Dating felt like being greased up with Aquafor and pushed down a 100ft metal slide. Just today, she dropped two serial texters within the last four hours.

But she felt better now. Maybe she’d save the message and talk to him about her feelings later. Ahmad had a rough day and since he’d told her that he’d be out of touch the next few days, she saved it in her notes and texted,

Hope you have a better night.

She felt like a dumbass.

Click

I’m still not sure if I want to engage

in this play

Of exploitation and capitalism

If I tapped out right now

Finally took a bow

Leaving behind nepotism’s prison

suddenly then came the hit

Like finally something clicked

And I saw all I wanted in you.

The synchronicities are uncanny

You meet me where I’m lacking

Pushing aside my greatest fears

The pursuit and your need to have me near

You ask if this is too much

And I think it’s more than enough

Delaying gratification to satisfy

A false sense of security that denies

The existence of a broken heart

healing slowly

Rejecting those who are lonely

as they do her

With sugar coated lips that lie and deter

From truth

They are her mirror

so she goes within

Hoping it clicks and she detaches

Coming in and out of the matrix

Finally with herself again

Hoping the next time she plugs in

Every loss will feel again like a win.

i will know

nothing that’s growing ever stays the same

anything growing will always change

whether maturing or decaying

so i will know when they ride this wave

they stay afloat

i know myself, what i am and not

finally love myself, okay with those who cannot

it’s not weakness or the frailty within

it’s common ground, what makes us akin?

similar in struggle, destiny, traumas and fate

it’s only flesh and within the godhead remains

the nucleus of souls intertwined with the divine

this is how i will know

complete

don’t need you

and i want you

craving that emperor energy

a soft life where we can just be

you be you

and let me be me

watch the blessings flow so abundantly

feeding off this infinite energy

cups overflowing into one another

creating a sea of authentic creativity

where we don garments that bring us pleasure

synchronized tones and hue so vibrantly

told every where we go to keep shining

black love so brilliantly blinding

opening heavy eyes to see the essence of humanity

the original Adam and Eve

before the fruit

poisoned with a promise of truth

thinking it was a fair trade

unbeknownst to them a snare was made

against all odds they say it was fate

and here we meet

complete

the girl that got away

It’s funny how you would even consider

Being better does not have to make me bitter

Just irritated that you would think

You’d ever have it better than me

Thought that if you had one

Then you could have two

But I’m a whole lotta woman

And you bit off more than you could chew

Looking over there thinking you could find

A love so pure and true I’d call you mine

Knowing I know you like you know yourself

Without the ancillaries

And the cards you were dealt

Now you see that I see you

It’s funny how you’d considered

Me choosing you