Martha and Robert have been married for 65 years. Both in their mid-eighties have learned to master the acceptance of each other for better or worse. Robert started courting Martha during their senior year in high school. For those younger than forty, courting is the same as dating. At the age of eighteen, after Martha became pregnant, the two got married upon the strong request of their parents in conjunction with the click of Martha’s father’s shot gun. Martha and Robert liked each other but was not in love with each other. They got married in the era of “What Love Got to Do with It;” “It’s a Family Thing”. Together Martha and Robert have 8 kids; 12 grand kids and 5 great-grand kids. Robert has 2 sons with his long-time girlfriend Bertha. Bertha and Robert have 4 grand kids and 2 great-grand kids.

Although Martha’s navigation through life has been in alignment with the changes of time, Robert hasn’t been able to move pass the late 60s, early 70s era. He no longer drives; yet he still has his 1970 deuce and a quarter also known as an Electra 225 parked in the garage. Robert would drive his power blue Convertible Buick Cadillac up and down the street back in the early 70s going nowhere. Sometimes Bertha would be in the passenger seat feeling like a queen, not caring that he never invited her to his home or asked her to marry him. In Robert youthful days, he worked in a factory assembling cars. At night, he worked as a janitor cleaning office building. Robert’s paycheck as an assembling worker went to Martha for their household. He received a five dollar per week allowance. Half his paycheck as a janitor went to Bertha the other half cover his play toys such as his Electra 225. Martha always knew about Bertha but did not care as long as Robert bought his check home to her. Martha protected their kids from Robert’s long-time affair with Bertha by moving her family to the other side of town.  Martha was a dignified church going women. She raised their kids to respect elders and to value education. Martha and Robert kids all graduated from a two-year community college; some went further to graduate from a four-year university. Each married their long-time mate; found professional jobs in corporate American and sent their kids to college.

On the other side of the fence, Bertha worked full time in a cleaners and part time in a bar as a cocktail girl. Bertha kids barely finish high school. Robert Sr. being 15 years older than Bertha, loved her high energy party girl attitude. Bertha always lived in the now; not worrying about tomorrow. She raised her two sons to live in the now. Both sons did not move out of their mom’s home until they were in their mid-thirties. From their mom’s house they moved into their girlfriend’s home. Neither of the sons married their girlfriends. Bertha eldest son, Robert Jr daughter Porsha, who is now 35 years of age, gave birth 17 years ago to Robert Jr’s first grandchild. Porsha named her daughter Mercedes. Mercedes is graduating from high school. In celebration of Mercedes’ graduation her mom Porsha is throwing her a graduation party and would like for all generations of family to be present. The party will be held in the backyard of Robert Jr gated duplex apartment building. Porsha fixes the backyard up with rental chairs and tables. White Christmas lights streaming around the top of the table’s umbrellas. She set up a bar table for anyone who would like to purchase an alcoholic drink. Her cousin Capone will DJ the latest hits. Bertha is catering the food. She has been frying chicken and making spaghetti all day. Robert Jr is responsible for picking up the potato salad, dinner rolls, and cake from the local supermarket. Punch made of Hi-C and 7-up will be served to all under 21.

It’s party time, Robert Sr shows up in a power blue, three-piece polyester, bell bottom suit. His 1970 white ruffle tuxedo shirt matches his white patent leather alligator shoes. After everyone arrives, Porsha takes the mike from Capone to acknowledge and congratulate her daughter Mercedes. Everyone yodels their congratulations in unison, Porsha yells “okay DJ, let’s get this party started”. Everyone was enjoying themselves eating, drinking, and dancing. Robert Sr shows off a stack of one-dollar bills to Mercedes’s friends’ moms. Robert Sr invites the moms, to play a game. The game is call, “if you are single and you know it, raise your hand”. One mom asked the purpose of the game. Robert Sr. proudly says with a grin on his face, a monetary price is given to the raised hands. A couple of women raised their hand. Robert Sr. hands each mom whose hand was raise, five single dollar bills. The moms laughed as they walked off to mingle with the guess. Robert Sr. begins to flirt with the women who had raised their hand. From afar, Betty, one of Mercedes’s friends’ grandmothers was watching Robert Sr. She could not believe what she was seeing. Her thoughts were racing a mile per minute. She thought to herself, “why is Mother Martha’s husband at this graduation party? I know he never officially joined the church; however, he would come on occasions with his wife. Mother Martha, is a dedicated servant of the Lord who served as president over the Mother’s Board for 15 years before she retired.” As her friend, I am going to get to the bottom of why Robert Sr. is at this party making a fool of himself; and as a good Christian friend, I will report what I find out to Mother Martha.”

Betty asked one of the ladies who received 5 dollars. Why they raised their hands and why was she given money? She also wanted to know who invited the man giving away the money. Betty almost fell to her knees as the lady replied, he is Mercedes’ great-grand-father. Betty was so startled by the information she became weak; the lady grabs Betty by the arm so that she would not fall. After helping her to a sit she gave her a drink of punch. As Betty sat, her thoughts raced about Mercedes’s family. She thought to herself; “my granddaughter told me that Mercedes’s mom name is Porsha and Porsha’s father name is Robert Jr.” Betty begins to cough like she was choking on punch. Someone asked her if she was okay. “Yes”, replied Betty. No! thought Betty. Mother Martha’s husband cannot be the father of Robert Jr. Betty had to find out for sure before she took this information to Mother Martha. After regaining her strength, Betty approaches Robert Jr. “Hi Robert, I would like to thank you for inviting my grand-daughter. Although my grand-daughter is three years older than Mercedes, they are good friends. The party is really nice. Someone told me your mom is here. Is your dad here also? Yes, replied Robert Jr.; let me introduce you to my parents. Robert Jr. calls over his mom Bertha and his dad. “Mom, dad, I would like for you to meet Ms. Betty. She is one of Mercedes’s friends’ grandmothers.” Betty stares at Robert Sr. as she says hello, then proceed to say to Robert Sr directly. “You can be my friend husband identical twin.” “Oh yeah”, replied Robert. What is your friend husband’s name? Maybe we are related.” Betty replied, “His name is Robert”. Robert almost choked as he stared at Betty trying to remember if he seen her somewhere. Betty continued to talk. “My friend Martha and her husband Robert have been married for 65 years and have 8 kids together; one of whom is also name Robert Jr. I’m sure it’s not you because my friend Martha’s husband uses to worked in a factory assembling cars during the day. He had a second job at night cleaning office building as a janitor. For years, he drove a power blue Convertible Electra 225 Buick Cadillac. Bertha begins to beat on Robert Sr chest. while shouting, “all these years, I wonder why you never asked me to marry. Now I know it’s because you were already married with kids. How could you do this to me? Robert Jr, in shock, pulled his mom off his dad. He was speechless.

Why do you think Bertha never asked Robert Sr any questions about his life through-out the years of them dating? Why do you think she is so surprised about Robert Sr being married with kids? Do you think Ms. Betty is wrong in how she handled the situation?

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