23. Desire
“You were supposedto get matched with me,” Tammy announced through tears.
Aziel arrived home about an hour ago. We ate dinner, played Azaria into exhaustion, bathed her, and put her to bed. I’d been anxious to hear how things went with Tammy, but he wouldn’t go into details in front of Azaria. Much to my surprise, he’d recorded their conversation, and I listened intently as the situation unfolded.
“Matched with you? What are you—oh, shit. You completed a profile with Arranged Hearts?”
“Yes, I did one for both of us and made sure we had everything in common. I had no doubt we’d match.”
“But, Tammy, why would you do something like that?”
“Are you stupid? I’m in love with you.”
“Whoa! Hold up. Is this a joke?”
“No, Az. It’s not a joke. I was heartbroken when you matched with someone else.”
“So, instead of moving on, you decided to harass my wife? Did you think you’d run her off with those messages and disrespect her whenever you were in her presence?”
“You were supposed to choose me!” Tammy shouted. “I helped you build a company and win a mayoral seat. How dare you choose her, allowing her to disrespect me when she’s in my presence!”
“Let me clear something up for you. I’ve never seen you as anything but a friend and sister. If you’d met me at the altar, the wedding wouldn’t have happened because I would never marry you.”
“Fuck you, Aziel. I fucking hate you.”
I heard papers shuffling, glass breaking, and yelling before the recording ended. I shook my head in disbelief.
“Wow!” was all I could say.
“Even though you called it, her confession was the last thing I expected to hear. I’m genuinely confused because I’d never shown interest in her and assumed her feelings were the same.”
“Next time, listen to your wife. I’ll never tell you wrong.”
“Yes, ma’am. I heard you’re looking for a job. You want to be my new assistant?”
“Absolutely not, but I’ll help you find one, preferably a married heterosexual male because we don’t need anyone else falling in love with you.”
We discussed the crazy situation for a few more minutes before spending the rest of our evening watching crime shows. I hadn’t been a fan of those kinds of shows until a few weeks ago when Aziel forced me to watch a few. Now, I was hooked.
“How would you feel about having our families over for dinner this weekend?” I asked as we prepared to shower.
“Let’s do it.”
Another weekend had arrived,and I’d spent the day preparing dinner for our families. I’d never prepared a meal for such a large group without the assistance of my sisters, but Azaria agreed to be my assistant.
I made two pot roasts with mixed vegetables, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. I baked three cakes for dessert: lemon pound, caramel, and chocolate. Of course, Azaria was in the way more than she was helpful, but I loved her company.
“Damn, it smells good in here. I don’t think this much food has ever been cooked in this kitchen,” Aziel commented when he entered the kitchen. He’d been in his office working for most of the day.
“You’ve never had your family over for dinner?”
“When I have, I catered the food. Most of the time, we meet at my parents’ house. The kids prefer their yard over mine.”
“That makes sense, and their house is more comfortable.”
He approached me from behind, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my neck.
“You trying to say our house ain’t comfortable?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. Their house is just more comfortable. Can you move so I can finish frosting this cake?”
“You went all out, baby. Did you make any stuffed bell peppers?”
“Baby, are you serious?”
“As hell. You shouldn’t have given the last of it to Quinton’s greedy ass.”
“You’d still be begging for more.”
“You’re probably right. You got me, though?”
“I don’t have any of the ingredients. I’ll make them next week.”
“But I want them today,” he said with a pout.
“I know you’re not pouting. Ria, look at your daddy over here pouting.”
“Daddy, you not a baby. No pouty.”
“Daddy’s sad because Mommy won’t make me bell peppers. She hurt Daddy’s feelings.”
Azaria gasped as if she’d heard something major.
“Mommy, you hurt Daddy. Him sad. You make him feel better.”
“Fine, but I’m not going to the store,” I griped, conceding.
“Me either. Tell me what you need, so I can have it delivered.”
Shaking my head at his spoiled ass, I wrote down the ingredients to make stuffed bell peppers. A few minutes later, he announced, “It’ll be here in thirty minutes.”
“Get out of my kitchen, you spoiled brat, and take this little traitor with you.”
“I love you, too, baby,” he said, smacking my ass before swooping Azaria out of her chair and disappearing.
A few hours later, dinner was ready, and our families had arrived. Everyone was gathered in the family room when I came downstairs after getting dressed in wide-leg jeans and a graphic T-shirt.
“There you are,” my mother greeted me when I entered the room. “I swear it feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
She stood, and we exchanged a warm embrace.
“Your mother misses you popping up at our house every other day. I told her you have a family now, and your priorities have changed,” my father said when it was his turn to hug me.
“She doesn’t have a job anymore, Deakin. She’s had plenty of time to come and see us.”
“You’re right, Ma. I’ll do better. However, I’ll be interviewing soon with a new preschool opening this fall.”
“That’s good news,” she replied.
I made my way around the room to greet everyone else. My sisters and I talked every day and met up a few times, so they didn’t give me any grief. Aziel’s family had busy lives and weren’t worried about visits from me, but they were excited to see me again.
“Is everyone ready to eat?” I asked after we chatted for a while.
“My baby made a spread for y’all, and there’s plenty for everyone, but the stuffed bell peppers are for me and me only,” Aziel announced.
“Stuffed bell peppers? Sounds delicious,” AJ commented.
“Oh, they’re better than delicious, but they’re mine,” Aziel reiterated.
The brothers went back and forth until their mother put a stop to it.
“AJ, stop trying to bully your brother out of his food. Aziel, you shouldn’t be stingy with your guests. I swear you two are worse than my grandchildren.”
“He’s not a guest, Ma.”
“You heard what I said,” she told him sternly.
Once the kids were shuffled inside from the backyard, we gathered around the dining room table, and my father offered to bless the food. No one protested, so we joined hands and bowed our heads.
“Lord, when Desire came to us with news that she planned to marry a stranger, we were skeptical like most parents would be. In the world we live in today, it’s hard to find good people, but I know good people when I see them. Although our families were united in a nontraditional way, we are grateful for this union. This family is one of the good ones. Thank you for family, old and new, fellowship, and good food. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
My father’s blessing made me emotional. When I decided to use Arranged Hearts to find my husband, I didn’t consider how my parents might feel. They had no idea what kind of man I would marry or the family I would marry into. It was selfish, but I was grateful it worked in my favor.
“Daddy, that was beautiful,” I said before embracing him.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I can rest easy at night because I know you’re in good hands.” He kissed my forehead.
After hands were washed or sanitized, the kids’ plates were made. We seated them in the kitchen, where we had an additional table set up because there were so many kids. Once they were situated, the adults made their plates and dined in the dining room.
A few minutes after we began eating, all that could be heard was silverware hitting plates. AJ eventually broke the silence by raving about the stuffed bell peppers. Between me and his mother fussing at him, Aziel broke down and gave his brother half of a pepper.
“I’m glad you like them. Your brother begged me to make them at the last minute, so I apologize for not making enough for everyone.”
“There’s plenty of other food here, and it’s delicious. However, the way my son is acting over those peppers, I’m putting my dibs in now,” Mr. Harris said.
“Of course. Since you all are spending the night, I can fulfill your request before you leave tomorrow.”
Compliments about the food filled the room, and I beamed with joy. My family knew I could throw down in the kitchen because my parents made sure of it, and I was pleased to know that Aziel’s family agreed.
We talked about the upcoming fundraiser, and everyone was excited. Alaina, Seela, and Mrs. Harris gossiped about the uppity women who attended, warning me not to get too friendly with them. I would definitely heed their warning because the last thing I needed were fake friends. Alaina, Seela, my sisters, and I made plans to hang out soon; those were all the friends I needed.
My parents and Aziel’s parents got along like old friends, which warmed my heart. My heart was full as I looked around the table and heard the chatter from the kids in the kitchen. The mood all evening was light and easy… until it wasn’t.