Light of the World

Tre walked into the community center. Things had turned a little rocky with his girlfriend. He had hoped that his mother would not have to meet Yasmin ever. Was her name Yasmin? Tre couldn’t keep her straight with the other girl.

Ah, yes. She played another role in his love life.

“Tre!” a woman shouted. The young man jerked his head upwards. A woman with bright blonde hair stood across the room, waving at him. The color drained from his face.

“Oh,” he said. The woman’s hair bounced as she raced over to him. Tre cleared his throat and tried to act normal. She smiled as she stood inches away from him.

“Uh… hi,” he said. The woman pouted at him.

“Why didn’t you call me?” she asked.

“Uh… Um… I don’t know,” Tre lied. The woman frowned and smacked him on the arm.

“Ow!” he said.

“You tosser!” she shouted. Tre gave her a confused look on his face.

“Who are you again?” he asked. The woman clenched her teeth.

“Natalie,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Which Natalie?” Tre asked. The blonde woman smacked him on the arm.

“Ow!” Tre said, rubbing said. Natalie raised her hand to strike him again.

“What’s going on here?” they heard someone ask. Natalie and Tre looked up to see Muriel and the other old biddies staring at them. The color drained from her son’s face.

“Bollocks,” he muttered.

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Annie and Tucker drove up to the activity center. Annie turned to her husband with her usual scowl.

“Why do you drive like we’re going through pot holes?” she complained.

“You’re the one who wanted me to hurry and get there on time,” Tucker said.

“Get make sure that the food isn’t messed up,” Annie said.

“Yeah, yeah,” her husband grumbled. The couple climbed out of the car and walked to the back. Annie spent her time looking through each dish. Tucker clicked his tongue.

“Do you really have to do that?” he asked.

“I do not trust you,” she said.

“Why does it matter?” her husband asked. “It’s all going to taste the same.”

“I want it to look good too.”

“Does it really matter?”

“Yes!”

Tucker rolled his eyes. “Every year!”

“Excuse me?” Annie asked. He shook his head and started unloading food from the truck as well. This would take about three or four trips back and forth. Tucker prepared for the nagging.

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Muriel narrowed her eyes at Tre.

“Who is this?” she asked. Her son’s eyes shifted back and forth.

“Uh…” he said. The blonde tilted her head.

“Who are you?” she asked. Muriel folded her arms across her chest.

“I’m his mother,” she said. “And you?” Natalie grinned and grabbed Tre by the arm.

“I’m his girlfriend!” she said in a chipper tone. “Nice meet you.” The old biddies looked at Tre.

“No, love,” Aisha said in a calm tone. “Tre already has a girlfriend. Her name is Yasmin.” Natalie shook her head.

“No, I’m his girlfriend,” she said. By now, Tre wanted to turn around and run away. Lewis looked up at him.

“Is that true?” she asked. He didn’t even try to speak. Clyde broke down into a wild smile.

“Oh!” she said. “Way to go there, Tre boy!” Her laughter could be heard from the whole center. Aisha groaned and smacked herself on her forehead.

“Embarrassing,” she muttered to herself. Natalie looked up at Tre.

“What are they talking about?” she asked. The young man nervously chuckled as he desperately tried to look for an escape. Natalie gaze made him wish that he could just disappear into the floor.

“Tre?” Muriel asked. Her son pressed his lips together and looked around, panicking. And these were just the first two girlfriends they meant in person.

End