Throw Away the Key

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

“I'm really impressed.” Zora held a hand over her mouth as she chewed. “You really made this yourself? This isn't one of those situations like I dealt with where this is delivered food dressed up as homemade.”

“No, I'm not Lawrence,” Emma teased. “I actually made this. I went to the farmer's market today and a woman selling produce had this recipe for veggies and potatoes and chicken all on the same tray in the oven. And she just made it sound really simple. So, this is my attempt to follow her instructions.”

A ceramic baking dish sat on the counter, half of the chicken laid flat in the center surrounded by vegetables. Emma had watched a YouTube video to learn how to properly clean and spatchcock a chicken–that was the one instruction the recipe card didn’t include, but it had been far easier than the name suggested. Once the whole chicken laid flat, she’d seasoned butter and rubbed the skin with the mixture, stuffing some underneath for added flavor.

Surprisingly, so long as she followed the directions, everything made sense. She’d always watched Zora and Granny in the kitchen, so she understood the mechanics–she’d just never had a need to try before now. Emma watched them eat more food, her smile growing as sounds of satisfaction filled the room.

“It's not an attempt,” Granny corrected. “This is a success! It's delicious.” She and Zora sat on the stools facing the kitchen island, while Emma stood on the other side facing them.

“Really?” Emma knew Granny wasn’t one to gas her up, but it still felt damn good to see them enjoy something she made.

“Yes. You did a great job–the chicken isn't overcooked and frankly, I'm more relieved that it's cooked all the way through,” Zora admitted. “Even if you only ever have one strong dish–this is the one, sis.”

Emma high-fived her best friend across the table.

“Today was so busy at the bookstore, we didn’t really get a chance to chat. How was your morning of exploration?” Granny poked at a roasted potato.

“It was good. The farmer's market was really nice. I ran into Sadie and a couple of her friends there.”

“Did you?” Granny perked up.

“Yeah, she's still Sadie,” Emma smiled, rolling her eyes. “But she made some recommendations at the market, so I can't even be mad.”

“What kind of recommendations?” Zora speared a carrot.

“She gave me advice about some of the different booths to hit up, and then I locked myself out of my apartment earlier…”

Zora stared at Emma the way a big sister would stare at her little sister. “Already?” she asked, her fork hanging in mid air.

“It wasn't my fault! I was moving too fast because I was so excited to go to the farmer's market, and I guess I just forgot them,” she shrugged. “And thankfully Sadie was back in time to let me in. I barely waited a few minutes.”

“Was Sadie upset?”

“No more than usual,” Emma lifted her hands in question. “I honestly can't tell with her. Probably just a personality difference, because she seems nicer to literally everyone else I’ve seen her interact with.”

“I don't think she's annoyed with you, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Granny offered. “You know, sometimes it takes people a bit to warm up, and besides, I feel like there's something there.”

Zora nodded her agreement. “There's definitely some sexual tension between the two of you.”

“What are you even talking about?” Emma asked incredulously, her cheeks warming. She practically hates me . “I am not seeing what you're seeing.” She shifted from one foot to the other as she remembered Sadie’s heated glare when she spoke to Joy and Sheena.

“Have you not looked at that woman? First of all, she's gorgeous–her skin is flawless . She is stunning,” Zora sliced into her chicken thigh. “I’m surprised that you haven’t already asked her about her day-to-night skincare regime.”

Granny agreed. “Honestly, if I hadn't found some options through online dating, I would be after her in a minute. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders, she’s easy on the eyes, and I didn’t see a ring on her finger. Someone oughta snap her up.”

Zora’s bite of chicken stopped just before her mouth as she stared at her grandmother. She shot a wide-eyed glance at Emma.

“You know what, Ms. Marion, we learn something new about you every day,” Emma grinned. “Let me find out that you and I have the same type when it comes to women.”

Granny’s lips pursed in amusement. “I don’t believe in saying never to something I’ve not yet tried, dear. But she's so clearly your type, Emma. I'm surprised that you don't see it.”

Emma frowned. “I hadn’t really thought about it. I don’t even know if she’s queer? Either way, she’s got a ‘don’t fuck with me’ sign on her forehead–maybe that’s why I can’t see past this surly vibe she’s got goin’ on. I get the sense that she really can’t stand me.”

“I don’t think it's that she doesn't like you,” Zora shook her head. “You warm to people faster. Some might see that as being a bit extra,” she said after a pause, as if she were considering her words.

“I'm not really hearing that as a compliment in this moment.” Emma narrowed her eyes.

“Well, I don’t think that's necessarily a bad thing. You always keep things interesting, you make it funny, you keep things light. Not everybody likes perky people.” Zora shrugged. “You don’t need coffee to be completely energized.”

One word stuck to the forefront of Emma’s mind. “That's how y’all see me? Perky?” She frowned, hoping that she wasn’t seen as some annoying joke–not only to Sadie but to the people she loved most.

“I wouldn't say perky,” Granny chimed in. “I would say, exuberant. You're full of life. And there's nothing wrong with centering joy rather than wallowing in negativity. Anybody that has a problem with that has a problem with me.”

“Thank you,” Emma leaned across the counter and tapped her index finger with Granny's. “You really are the best.”

Marion winked at her before setting down her silverware. “Delicious meal, my love. And there’s nothing extra about loving the life you live. Some people are miserable and they can’t stand to see others being happy.”

“I just worry that being ‘extra’ means that no one takes me seriously,” Emma rested her hands on the counter. Maybe that’s why Sadie seems so annoyed with me. She thinks I’m extra.

“Anyway,” Zora redirected, jutting her chin toward Emma. “Question for you: Are you attracted to Sadie?”

Sadie’s dark eyes appeared in Emma’s mind, but so did her look of disdain. “Honestly, I might have to look at her again, because I haven't really been paying attention.” Her legs, the forearm sleeve… those eyes.

Zora glared at her best friend. “I don't buy that for a second.”

Emma kissed her teeth. “Okay, fine. I will admit…”

Zora rested her chin in her hands, her elbows propped on the counter. Her smug expression made Emma scoff. “We’re listening.”

“I will admit that she's attractive. And Granny was right–she does have a really cool style. It's very simple, but it's kind of edgy and sexy. I don't know…”

“So, you said all of that and really you could have just said yes. Interesting,”

Zora teased taking a sip of the wine Emma paired with dinner.

Ugh, this heffa. “Well, whatever. I don't think she's interested in me, so none of this really matters. And besides, she lives directly below me. It's probably not a good idea. If something did happen and things didn’t work out…”

“Time will tell, baby. It always does,” Granny’s eyes sparkled. She wiggled her shoulders. “Now, what do you have for dessert?”

Emma chuckled. “I hope you don’t hate it, because it's not fancy, but I have a cheese plate with some sliced nectarines drizzled with local honey.”

“Well that sounds delightful,” Zora quirked a brow. “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

“You know, it was something that came up at the farmer's market,” Emma shrugged.

“This is all new territory for you, but I'm into it. I'm liking this whole, ‘Emma on her own’ situation.”

“I think I am too.” Emma rose to pull a platter out of the fridge, removing the plastic covering. “I didn’t really get why people cared so much to have their own space, but I do now. It’s nice having a space that I get to change as I see fit, and no one can veto me on my choices.” She winked at Zora playfully.

“Yum.” Granny reached for a slice of nectarine. “I don't think I've ever drizzled honey on fruit like this before–maybe when I’m having fruit with yogurt–but it seems like an interesting combination.”

“I thought so, too. I wasn't sure if it would work or not, I just thought we'd try it. I ended up buying a couple of different kinds of honey. This one is a hot honey, because I thought it would be good with this smoked cheddar, which has a little bit of jalapeno. I don't know if I should have gotten this or something more like a creamy cheese, but you know, the other cheese that they gave me a sample of was goat cheese, and I want to throw that in a salad or something later.”

“You're a regular Martha Stewart over here,” Zora placed a slice of cheese on top of a slice of nectarine with honey and took a bite. She nodded as she chewed. “This works.”

Emma beamed as she and Granny followed suit, layering cheese onto the honeyed wedges and took their respective bites. The crisp white nectarines had a subtle sweetness, the hot honey building a sweet tingle on her tongue as the smoky creaminess of the cheese cooled everything down. “Mmm, this is good!” I wonder if Sadie would like this. She shimmied in celebration of her triumph. “And you know what? When it comes to Martha, the one thing I will say is she ain't no snitch.”

Granny giggled. “Period.”