Today's Reading
Because of their similar physical traits and fashion tastes, the sisters had embarked on extensive discussions regarding their maid- of-honor dresses and hairstyles for the wedding to ensure they didn't end up with similar looks. This was intended to prevent guests who didn't see them regularly from confusing them as the same person. But mostly, it was important to Martha that everyone was clear about which Gardin sister was dating Oji Greenwald. She and Mary had the same complexion, prominent eyes, and pouty lips, but Martha was two years older at thirty-eight.
Oji stood and lifted Martha's mason jar from the table. The ice clicked against the otherwise empty glass. "Thanks, Mary. She makes me happy too," he said with a big smile. "I'm gonna get Martha another lemonade. I'll bring one for you and Ruth if you'd like."
"That would be great!" Mary said.
"No thanks," Ruth replied from the vintage chair positioned next to Mary. "I'm still working on mine."
As Oji walked away, the women made kissing faces at Martha behind Oji's back. Martha blushed and playfully rolled her eyes, but she didn't utter a peep to her sister and cousin-in-law until Oji was a safe distance away.
"Y'all are so embarrassing!" Martha whined. "You would swear I've never had a boyfriend before."
"It has been a while," Mary teased.
Martha turned her head to the side and narrowed her eyes at her sister.
"I have no plans to stop picking on you anytime soon. This is too much fun," Mary said, twirling her hair around her finger.
Ruth smiled. "I like that he's being so supportive. I've still got my eye on him, but he might be okay after all."
Martha sighed, but it wasn't because she was upset by the comment. She appreciated that Ruth was still willing to look out for her. The woman was a model of forgiveness in action, given Martha's previous attempts to wreak havoc in Ruth's professional life as well as in her personal one. She and Ruth were still in the rebuilding phase of their relationship, but they were on solid standing. "He's a good guy. I'm not worried about him. It's his parents. How do y'all think it's going?" Martha asked.
"It seems like it's going fine to me," Ruth responded. "It's not like the Greenwalds are total strangers. Well, today was our first time meeting Adam, but we met Eve at the Gardin Family Enterprises Christmas party. We got along smashingly then, and she's been just as personable today."
"I know, but I wasn't there when y'all met. It's different this time," Martha grumbled.
"You really should calm down. You don't want Oji to see the snappish side of you, do you?" Mary teased.
"Oh, I bet he knows. She hasn't changed that much," Ruth said. The curls in her Afro shook as she laughed.
"Ha, ha, ha... Yes, he knows," Martha said. She attempted to hold it in, but she laughed too. And it felt good to let go. Even Martha could admit that she'd mellowed out since dating Oji. Her family teased her about it every chance they got. As proven by her stress over the meetup between the Gardins and Greenwalds, Martha hadn't totally abandoned her high-strung personality. But she was much more bearable, and her family was grateful.
"Mrs. Greenwald has always been kind to me when Oji takes her calls while we're hanging out," Martha continued. "And we've picked up his parents for lunch a couple of times too. It's gone well, but she's never invited me inside or had me over for dinner. It's odd because they're such a close family. I think Oji would've at least hinted if his mom didn't like me at all, but maybe she's saving a home-cooked dinner for someone she likes more."
"It's just been a few months. Give it a little more time," Ruth said reassuringly. The confidence in her voice should've calmed Martha down, but it soothed her only a little.
"How much time does she need? It's not like I'm expecting Oji to propose anytime soon, but I don't have time to waste," Martha bemoaned.
"Hey, I'm on your side," Ruth said, placing her hand at her collarbone and running it across the neckline of the orange and magenta A-line dress she wore as matron of honor.
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