Stay Or Go

It's been three months since Sinclair and I talked. Good morning and goodbyes are all we said to each other recently unless the twins were involved. We were drifting apart, and I felt like somehow it was impossible to go back to being okay. I spent most of my days working from home and taking long walks through the town with Eli and Elena. I felt like a single mother doing it all on her own. Late one afternoon, I arrived at my brand-new art gallery. I parked next to Ms. Meredith, and she helped me load both of her car seats into her car. "Thank you so much for keeping the twins for me tonight." "Oh, please, these little ones mean the world to me!" I smiled and hugged her before I kissed the twins on their heads. I stood there and waved as she left before I took a deep breath. It was my first time being entirely away from them. I took a few minutes, reassuring myself they'd be okay before I walked inside.

Once inside, a few people greeted me. I shared some small talk before I looked around, scanning the crowd. I wanted to deny it, but I so badly wanted to see Sinclair there. I wanted nothing more than for him to show up and support me, but with his mother coming between us, he hasn't even tried. I made my way around the room, looking for the winning student of my contest Jose. I grabbed a glass of wine, then once I found him, I smiled and hugged him. "Hello! How are you!"

"Great, thank you so much for this opportunity! I've always wanted to show the world my work!" I smiled at him and hugged him once more, this time tighter. "You have a true and natural passion. It shouldn't be wasted. Walk with me. I'd really like to introduce you to some people." He nodded and followed me around the room. I took the time to introduce him to many photographers. I saw his eyes light up just from the experience. After an hour, we parted ways. I walked outside and greeted people who walked in. I looked around for Sinclair, but deep down, I knew he wasn't coming. This was a big night, and he wouldn't be here for me. It just made me feel like the opening of my gallery meant nothing to him. I stood waiting for a while, and then there was a light hand placed on my lower back. "Octavia, it's time...." My assistant had come out to get me, and before walking with her inside, I looked around again. What could be more important than being by my side tonight?

I quickly left work and made my way home. Taking a shower, I got dressed in my most excellent suit. As I made my way to the car, there was a soft yet loud knock on the door. I opened the door to find my mother standing there. "Hello, Sinclair, May I come in?" "Of course..." My mother entered as I looked at my watch and closed the door. "Is something wrong?" "No, not at all, but Octavia has her gallery opening tonight, and I don't want to be late." She nodded as she looked up at me, then she looked around. "A few minutes to spare talking to your mother?" "Oh, of course. Where are my manners?" I showed her into the living room and poured her some wine.

"So, Mom, what brought you here?" "It has something to do with that Octavia. Have you been looking for someone else?" "Pardon..." "You deserve better, Sinclair. I have the perfect young lady who is very interested in you." I looked at her as she talked, and I slowly dropped my head. "I know you think this girl is right for you, but Mommy knows best." My mother hated the love of my life, and to make it worse, I wasn't doing anything to stop her. I couldn't just let this continue to go on; Octavia was right. "Mom... you're right. I deserve so much better and so much support." "I'm so happy you say that, Sinclair. You are too good to settle yourself for someone so unworthy." "Mom, what do you think makes her so unworthy?" "Honey, she's a photographer. Anyone can go out and snap a picture to call it art." "It has nothing to do with her race?" "Her race...well, now that you mention it, it bothers me very much."

I felt embarrassed and disgusted by my mother. I finally heard her say it for the first time; feeling ashamed, I put on a fake smile. "If you don't mind, I'd like for you to come with me to see Octavia at the gallery. I think it's time I tell her and everyone how I truly feel." A smile spread across her face. She nodded and sipped her wine once more before standing. "You go ahead. I'll meet you in the car." She made her way out as I went up to my room then I took a deep breath. I made sure I was fully ready to go along with what I was about to do. After a few minutes, I went down to the mini bar and fixed a drink. "You can do this, Sinclair. Losing one is better than losing both." I sighed heavily, then gulped my drink and joined my mother in the car...

"Thank you all for joining me here today, for celebrating this young artist and his success." He looked over and smiled at me as I did the same. "I appreciate you all taking the time out of your night to be here for the opening of my gallery. Everything is up for sale, including Jose's fantastic photos." Silk curtains slowly dropped off the photos revealing them, and everyone clapped. "So please enjoy!" Everyone started to make their way around the gallery, and I turned to Jose. "Please don't be afraid to put yourself out there and talk with the guest. If you need me, I'll be right over here." He nodded, then walked away as I pulled out my phone. I tried calling Sinclair a few times. After getting nothing but voice mail, I put my phone away, and I felt like crying. I took a deep breath, and I put on a brave face for all my guests. I tried to take my mind off everything as I walked around the gallery.

Suddenly I noticed Sinclair and his mother were standing at the door looking around. Once Sinclair spotted me, he walked over. "Hey…." "Hi…" I watched as his mother joined him by his side. "Can I please have everyone's attention over here please...." Everyone looked over and started to come in closer. "First, thank you all for coming out to celebrate with Octavia. This whole thing means the world to her." I watched him closely as he smiled and looked around. "I wanted to say. Octavia and I will not be seeing each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. I can't have you be my girlfriend, Octavia." His words hit me like a bus. I felt my whole body numb as my heart fell to my stomach. "I'm sorry, but my mother wants me to marry someone good for me. Someone truly amazing. So, I can't waste time having a girlfriend." He looked down at the ground, and I looked at his mother. She was smiling ear to ear, and I felt like I could die right there.

I was embarrassed and hurt. How could he possibly do this? Sinclair slowly reached into his pocket and kneeled as he pulled out a small black box. As he opened it, a rose gold engagement ring sparkled from the light. "Octavia Locke...you are the love of my life, the mother of my kids, and my best friend. I could never imagine being with anyone else ever again. I know recently I've messed up I know, and I am so sorry for it all. Please forgive me for everything; I want you to be my wife." I paused for a moment taking it all in. Sinclair was asking me to be his wife right before his mother. Is this the guy who told me he wouldn't go against his mother? I felt so relieved and in love. "Will you marry me, Octavia?" "Yes... Yes, I'll marry you." Everyone cheered, and I smiled as he stood up. He kissed me deeply and passionately as I wrapped my arms around him. I had finally got him back. Nothing else mattered. His mother's negativity was gone, and my family was one again. Once we pulled away, he removed the ring from the box and slid it on my finger.

"I love you." "I love you too, Sinclair." We kissed once more before he turned to look at his mother. "Mom… I know you love me, and I know you are only looking out for me. Regarding my love life, I know who I want and who I'm in love with. I fell in love with this woman. A black woman… she's all I could ever want and hope for." He looked down at me and smiled. "Octavia is amazing and spontaneous. Her work makes her unique. You're right about anyone being able to snap a photo. What Octavia does is so much more; she puts in so much work and so much passion. She loves to travel and bring these fantastic places to life through a photo. If she's doing what she loves, I don't care about what she's doing. Her job doesn't matter one bit." I smiled at him as my tears started running down my face. He looked back at her and smiled softly. "Mom, I have to stand by Octavia's side. I'm sorry you can't be a part of my life because of this, but I won't change my mind. So, Mom, this is Octavia. My 'black' girlfriend, who is a photographer."

I looked at her, and I saw a few tears run down her face. Knowing what she was going through, I grabbed her hand. "I know I'm not the ideal daughter, and I know I'm not who you saw your son with. We are so happy together, and we love each other so much. I know you are hurting, I know you are upset, but I would love to have you in our lives. I would love for Eli and Elena to know their grandparents." She looked down at our hands for a minute before nodding and pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry for how I have treated you. You didn't deserve it. Please call me by my first name, Nevaeh." I smiled, and I hugged her back as we both started crying. Pulling away, I stepped aside, and she smiled at Sinclair. "I'm so sorry, my son. I love you so much. You deserve my support no matter what. If you're happy, I'm happy." I smiled as they hugged, and once they pulled away, Sinclair looked into my eyes. "Another corny happily ever after." We laughed and then kissed each other deeply.