Chapter 7
Essen
My car karaoke was interrupted by a call from Loso’s mom. We spoke more than a few times over the last week, and I had started looking forward to her calls.
“Hello, beautiful. Everything okay?”
“More than okay,” she replied in a hyper tone. “I found the rest of the pictures I want to add to the video montage.”
I smirked. “Sounds good. I just dropped some boxes off at the venue. Do you want to meet or . . .”
“You can meet me at my house. Some of our guests just flew into town. I don’t know if anyone is coming by, but I want to be here just in case.”
“I understand. Send me your address, and I’ll be there.”
A swift wave of nerves swept up my spine when we hung up.
As I stared into space, I realized I may have talked my way into meeting more of Loso’s family.
Lately, it felt like we had just met. Since he met me in Slyde City a month ago, Loso proved you shouldn’t judge a gangsta by his tattoos.
We had spent the night together once, but Loso wouldn’t make it a habit since Shiloh had access to my place.
We were already playing it close by staying together until the early hours of the morning watching Snoopy’s Christmas and munching on junk popcorn.
Caleb was still calling and sending hints about our turn around trip.
No matter how much I played dumb, I wasn’t a fool.
The second Caleb threw my family in my face, we were done.
I hated for someone to get upset because I expected them to do what they said.
I didn’t ask him to take me to the snow; he offered.
The Bricks’ neighborhood wasn’t as over-the-top with decorations as Shiloh’s, but holiday pieces were placed on every light post on the street.
Loso’s father was in the yard when I pulled my Audi up to the curb.
I offered a warm smile when we made eye contact, yet he gave me a blank stare then went back to his task.
“Okay,” I muttered as my brows jumped up my forehead. “I see where Loso gets his jolly attitude.”
Out of habit, I checked my appearance in the rearview mirror then got out the car. For a second time, I waved at the man of the house, but he ignored me. I shook off the rejection when I reached the porch. Heavy winds caressed my belly, making me tug at my cropped sweater.
“Stop pulling at your clothes, girl,” Mrs. Terri said as she pulled the screen door open. “With a body like that, you should never be ashamed.”
“I’m not ashamed. I just want to be respectful.”
“Oh, baby, your clothes are only a small portion of that.” She pulled me in for a long embrace. “How are you doing? I hope I didn’t interrupt your day by asking you to stop by.”
“It was no problem. I was going to surprise a friend with an early dinner date.”
“Dinner date?” She grinned. “Well, let me show you what I have, so you can be on your way.”
I trailed the beauty into the house then went to sit on the living room couch as she instructed.
From my seat, I admired the stockings hanging from the fireplace mantel.
I assumed the fourth was in honor of Loso’s big brother.
Bunches of yarn and needles rested on the couch beside me, and there were pictures spread out on the living room table.
“I see you’re a jack-of-all-trades.” I lifted the yarn.
“I can do a little something. I’ve been making blankets for my future grandbabies for the last few years. I figured if I’m not on Earth when Loso finally gives me grandbabies, they can still have something from their granny.”
“I love that. I love how big you are on family.”
“Girl, I’m worse around the holidays. This time of the year is about fellowship and giving.
You should come to church with me and Lawrence.
You would love it.” She pried open one of the many photo albums in her grasp.
Every picture she held was attached to a story Mrs. Terri shared, and I intently listened to every one of them.
“Oh my goodness. Loso was a little butterball. He was the cutest.”
“Right? Now, you’ll have an idea of what your little ones will look like.”
A nervous giggle skipped from my lips. “Not too fast. Even after knowing him for so long, it feels like we’re just really getting to know each other. Only recently did I learn why he dislikes Christmas.”
“Oh, that. Yeah. I understand his feelings, but it hurts my heart. While everyone else is floating on a cloud, he’s usually buried under one.
” She ran her fingers down a picture of a young Loso and another boy.
He looked a few years older, but they shared the same peanut-butter complexion, and his eyes disappeared when he smiled just like Loso’s.
“This must be Loso’s big brother. He speaks highly of him.”
“Yeah. That’s my baby Lucas. Losing him wasn’t just hard on Loso. Their father never really healed.”
“I assume that’s him outside. I spoke, but I don’t think he heard me.”
She smacked her lips. “Don’t mind him. When Lawerence is doing something, he has a one-track mind.” She vacated the couch and marched to the door. “Law! Get in here. I want you to meet someone.”
Loso’s mom didn’t have the chance to make it back to her seat before her husband was through the door.
“Baby! Why are you doing all that yelling? You know I’m working.”
“I just need a minute of your time.” She tapped my thigh. “I want you meet Essen. You probably remember the name. She’s Shiloh’s little sister.”
He nodded as he stripped his hands of gloves. “Shiloh? Loso’s friend. Hm. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. You have a beautiful home.”
Mrs. Terri smirked at me. “Essen took over the party planning since Kayla had to back out. Loso set up the arrangement.”
A grimaced overpowered his round face. “Oh Lord. I hate to see how things are going to pan out.”
Something in my body urged me to step forward. “Loso may not have always been the best judge of character, but he doesn’t play about you two. Trust me, I don’t play about my reputation. You’re in good hands.”
“Hm. It sounds like you’re fond of my son. How old are you, young lady?”
I showed him a full rack of teeth. “Old enough to run a business and take care of you and Mrs. Bricks.”
“And you said my son sent you over here?”
“Your son connected me to Mrs. Terri, but she asked me to stop by and grab pictures for the video montage.”
He nodded as he turned to leave. “I have a picture of with me and the boys on the last Christmas. Terri, be sure to put them in the show.”
“I will, baby.”
Despite the cold shoulder he gave me, I could sense Mrs. Terri was the light in his life. The resentment in his specs softened, and he removed some bass out of his voice when he addressed her.
I started to put my phone away when the screen lit up, but seeing Loso’s calling triggered me to snatch it up.
“Where you at, pretty girl?” Loso quizzed over the phone. “I thought I would see you today.”
“That was the plan, but a very important person needed my attention.” The sudden muteness made me check to make sure we didn’t get disconnected. “Hello?”
“I know you’re not with another nigga.”
“Boy! Watch your mouth,” Mrs. Terri ejaculated, letting me know the volume on my phone was too high.
“Oh shit. I mean, hi, Mama. How did y’all end up together?”
She explained her slideshow idea, and I listened to Loso complain that he could have handled it.
“Baby, you have done more than enough.”
I couldn’t hear Loso’s response, but Mrs. Terri ended the call wearing a smile.
“All right, Mrs. Terri. I think I have everything I need. I’ll get these uploaded and sent to the videographer.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me get off my behind. I need to get in that kitchen.”
“Oh. What are you making? Can I help?”
“No, ma’am. I can’t ask you to help me with anything else.”
I waved her off as I scooted to the end of the couch. “I would be honored to help. I don’t get the chance to make desserts often.”
“Really? Your mama doesn’t put you to work during the holidays?”
I shook my head. “We aren’t close. When I was younger, I was always with my dad’s family. Now that I’m grown, I like being with people who want me around.”
She rocked her body forward and hopped to her feet. “Well, let me teach you a little something. God blessed me with two knuckleheads, so I never had a daughter I could pass recipes down to.”
I marched into the kitchen like a student determined to leave class with something. The wooden cabinets, tile floor, and white refrigerator were nostalgic. A large crockpot rested on the countertop, and without lifting the pots, I could smell the roast cooking on low.
“Go ahead and wash your hands. I’m going to grab you an apron.”
She rushed off with eager energy, making me feel welcomed in her kitchen. As I cleaned under my fingernails, the sweet sound of The Temptations floated into the kitchen. I smiled so hard, my cheeks hurt.
“All right, Essen. Are you ready to get started?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Terri asked that I grab buttermilk and strawberries from the fridge while she gathered ingredients from the cabinets.
“What are we making?” I asked cheerfully.
“Yeah, what are y’all making?”
The familiar voice carried my focus from the countertop. “Hey, handsome.”
Loso slowly strolled over to me with his hands in his pockets. When his lips touched my forehead, my muscles slackened. I thought it was cute when he stepped to his mom and gave her the same touch of affection.
Mrs. Terri giggled. “Hey, Son. I see you finally stopped by and used your key.”
“Yeah.” He looked over to me. “There is something precious in here that belongs to me.”
“Here you go.” I snickered.
“Here I am,” he replied. “What are y’all in here burning?”
Mrs. Terri’s head snapped back. “Burning? Boy, please. You know I don’t burn nothing except calories when I’m fasting.”
“Smells like y’all are cooking dinner too,” he added. “I stopped by right on time.”
The giddy grin on Loso’s face was wiped away when his father came into view.
“I didn’t know we were having company,” Mr. Lawrence commented, eyes locked on his son.