Mother Knows Best (Photo Story)

Wedding bells will soon be ringing for these two, and Brandy has been waiting for the right moment to tell Tony about her latest idea for their pending nuptials.

Babe, I have an idea for the wedding. (Brandy)

Okay, shoot. (Antonio)

I was thinking that we should include Kayla in the ceremony. She’s a special part of our lives now, so she should be part of the wedding, too. (Brandy)

Tony smiles.

I love you so much, Babe. I think that’s a great idea. I’ll text Lea and see what she says. (Antonio)

I don’t think that’s the kind of thing you ask someone via text, Tony. Maybe you could call her or ask her the next time you go to pick up Kayla. (Brandy)

I guess you’re right. It’s too bad you didn’t mention it sooner; I could have asked when I saw her today. (Antonio)

You saw Lea today? Did the plans change? I thought you were picking Kayla up this Friday and we were going to get to spend the weekend with her. (Brandy)

Nah, I’m still getting Kayla this weekend. I saw them when I was at Matt and Amber’s. (Antonio)

Oh, that’s... (Brandy, puzzled)

They were having a play date. I got to have tea with my nieces and baby girl. I wore a fancy hat, a pink necklace, and everything. You should have seen me. (Antonio, laughing)

Does that happen often…running into them when you go over there? (Brandy)

Not that often…this is only maybe the second or third time I’ve run into them. Turns out Lea and my sister made plans to get the kids together back at the Christmas party, and they’ve been hanging out ever since. (Antonio)

That’s nice. (Brandy, her words coming out a little too sweetly as she tries to hide the fact that she’s feeling some kind of way about what Tony just said)

Two days later, Brandy is meeting her sister and mother at My Cup of Tea to talk about the bridal shower. Rosalyn phoned to say she would be a few minutes late. Since it’s just the two of them at the moment, Brandy decides to use this opportunity to fill her sister in on recent events like Tony buying Lea a car and bumping into her repeatedly when he goes to visit his sister and best friend.

I guess they were bound to hit it off eventually with all the mommy-daughter play dates and what not. You had to know there would be some awkward family dynamics to deal with. I hate to say it but that Christmas party, which you said was uncomfortable enough, was only the beginning. You’ve got birthday parties, holiday dinners, family reunions, and lots more to look forward to. And when you have kids of your own, that will add a whole other piece to the puzzle. (Yolanda)

You’re right, of course. And I thought I was ready for all that. I guess I’m just surprised that I’m not handling things any better than I am. (Brandy)

You don’t think she’s spending time at his sister’s place hoping for a hook-up, do you? (Yolanda)

I can’t say for sure, but I doubt it. She’s been shockingly good about setting and respecting boundaries so far. She wouldn’t even accept that car from him without a written contract detailing how and when she would pay him back. (Brandy)

You’re a better woman than me, Sis. I would have said, “He!! to the naw,” if Kenneth asked me something like that. (Yolanda, shaking her head)

You wouldn’t have to, because Kenneth doesn’t have a baby mama that he feels the need to rescue for the sake of his child. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t irk me some. (Brandy)

Look on the bright side. At least now you know for sure that he’ll be a great dad when you start a family of your own. (Yolanda)

What’s this I hear? How does she know Antonio will be a great dad? (Rosalyn, catching a bit of their conversation as she walks over)

Yolanda suddenly becomes very interested in her tea. Brandy sighs. Rosalyn takes a seat. For a long moment, no one speaks.

Tony has a three year old daughter, Mother. (Brandy)

Is that so? And why haven’t I heard you mention it before now? (Rosalyn)

Because I didn’t know about her until recently. (Brandy)

What kind of man keeps a secret like that? (Rosalyn)

The kind who didn’t know the secret himself. (Brandy)

Rosalyn considers this for a moment before speaking again.

My my, that’s a tough one for sure. I see that Yolanda is being a good sister by trying to reassure you, but why exactly do you need reassuring? (Rosalyn)

Well, it’s sort of putting a strain on our relationship. (Brandy)

Hmmm…the little girl seems much too young to be creating problems intentionally, so it must be the child’s mother. Is she trying to come between you two? Does she want Antonio back? (Rosalyn)

No, I don’t think so. (Brandy)

Well then, have Antonio’s feelings changed about marrying you? Is he struggling to treat you as well as he did before he learned about the baby? (Rosalyn)

No... but… (Brandy)

Then what exactly is the issue, my dear? (Rosalyn)

I can’t explain it, Mother. (Brandy)

Yolanda starts to interject, but thinks better of it.

May I give you some advice? (Rosalyn)

Like I could stop you if I tried. (Brandy)

I won’t pretend that this…situation is what your father and I imagined for you. If I had my way, you’d marry the perfect guy and live happily ever after in a perfect marriage. The truth is there’s no such thing as a perfect guy or a perfect marriage. Still, I see potential for you to have a great marriage with a great guy. And if that is what you want, then you must commit to seeing it through without all this…whatever this is. That commitment must begin now, even before you make your vows to one another. If you’re not ready or willing to be all in, then I advise you to get out. Break it off now and cut your losses. (Rosalyn)

Yolanda clears her throat and takes another sip of tea.

This is a lovely place, Yolanda. I see why you wanted to host the bridal shower here. (Rosalyn, changing the subject)

I had a feeling you’d like it. It’s newly opened and already has a fine reputation. They haven’t done much advertising yet, but the business is growing by word of mouth. That alone should tell you how much people enjoy it. (Yolanda)

Well, I’ll go and talk to the owner about making the reservation if the bride-to-be approves. (Rosalyn, looking toward Brandy)

Brandy simply nods. Her mind is reeling with what her mother just said about needing to either commit 100% or cut her losses.

Thanks for reading!