“It’s covered up in the barn daddy.”

“Miah come show it to me, let these ladies talk a bit.” Tina’s father always liked looking at the car with the hood in the light. Etched in the paint was “Luke Jackson Kennard” with angelic eyes above. It had been an expensive job but her father didn’t care, that’s how he wanted it. Tina turned her attention back to her mother who was now sizing her up and came to the conclusion that Tina was not eating enough. And now was her chance to throw some meat on her bones.

“Mom? What are you guys doing here?”

“Well sweetie your brother called and said you showed up here all outta the blue and that something was wrong. We was up in Monroe vistin’ yo Auntie Vicki and that really ain’t nothing but an hour and half away. I had to see what was wrong with my baby.” she smiled softly as she slightly pinched Tina’s cheek. Tina felt the pain of all the emotions she was holding in flood through her as she rushed forward and embraced her mother. Her mother held her close stroking her hair whispering lovingly to her “Aww come on baby, hush now, Momma’s here. I know,” she continued by softly stroking Tina’s hair “I know, come on let it all out, shhh.” she continued to do so rocking her back and forth as she felt the moisture seep into her blouse from Tina’s tears.

Tina reined it in and pulled back from her mother’s neck where her face was buried, she wiped the tears from her face, feeling a bit like a child, she felt embarrassed. She was getting ready to apologize when her mother stopped her.

“Hey you stop right there, don’t you apologize. I’m yo Momma, that’s what I’m here for sweetie. You feel better?” she said taking hold of Tina’s arms and looking her square in the eye.

Tina nodded her head in response as she felt her mother take her hand. The soft, warm, flesh immediately took it’s natural shape in Tina’s hand, and she felt safe again. She ran her thumb over her mother’s hand and felt the time and age in her skin and how the skin didn’t immediatley go back to in place.