Chapter 21
“The food was delicious,” Miss Martia stated as she met me in the kitchen.
“Thanks. I used all of Granny’s favorite recipes.” I unfolded another foil pan to take outside. I assumed the conversation was over, but Miss Martia followed me outside.
“I’m so sorry for your loss. Miss Janie was a light in this community. She always extended a helping hand. I remember when my husband lost his job a few years ago. Miss Janie sent over two pans worth of food to feed my family for a week. It was such a blessing—she was such a blessing.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and offered a forced smile. “Thank you.” I set the pan on the warmer and mixed the macaroni. As soon as guests saw the fresh pan of the cheesy goodness, they stood up to get another plate.
I’d cooked in the kitchen for almost sixteen hours yesterday. I didn’t want anyone else to touch the food for Granny Janie’s repast. So far, everyone who had come by had raved about the delicious food. Unfortunately, they also all had to share personal anecdotes about my grandmother. It was sweet but overwhelming.
I went back into the kitchen and threw away the empty foil pans. Once the kitchen was straightened up again, I leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. The constant movement was the perfect distraction from the grief that held my heart in a chokehold.
“Hey, I was wondering where you dipped off to,” Jenifer’s voice spoke in my direction. I offered a thin-lipped smile before I hugged myself.
“Hey.”
“If you need a break, I can watch Quis.”
I shook my head. “I like the constant busy schedule.”
“Don’t overdo it, though. Take some time for yourself. You’ve been on go since you got in town.”
Chamille walked in from the backyard and grinned. “Let’s take a shot.”
“With what liquor?” I asked as an amused smirk tugged at my lips.
“Girl, please.” Chamille went into the pantry and returned with a bottle of tequila. The aged, light brown alcohol would be the perfect addition to my afternoon.
“This is why I love you,” Jenifer commented.
I went into the cabinet to retrieve three shot glasses. We poured them up and lifted them in unison. I closed my eyes and sighed.
“To Granny Janie,” I toasted.
“To granny!” Jenifer and Chamille said in unison.
We tossed two more shots back before Chamille put the bottle back in the pantry. I grinned as I led our trio outside. My eyes darted across the backyard. Dozens of people mingled to celebrate my grandmother. It was a beautiful sight to see.
As my eyes scanned the area, my gaze locked in on my son. Quis was seated under a tree with his dinosaur coloring book, juice box, and bag of gummy worms. He was in his element as the other kids ran around playing tag. I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face at the view of their childish innocence. The pure joy of children was needed, especially on days like this.
Jenifer headed toward some familiar faces from church while Chamille followed me over to an empty table. I sat back in one chair and stared up at the sky. The fluffy white clouds scattered across the light blue sky. Birds flew high in the air and chirped loudly. The breeze that swept across the backyard every few moments was appreciated because the sun was unforgiving today.
“There goes your boo,” Chamille stated as she nodded her head in the direction of Marquise.
My eyes perused his frame. He looked deliciously sexy in the pair of black sweat shorts, designer sneakers, and gray T-shirt. There was a single gold chain hanging from his neck. He looked so damn good…
He greeted my mother and father. Mama pulled him into a hug, and he rubbed her back softly. When they pulled away, he said something that made her laugh. My eyes followed his every move.
“Damn, if you stare any harder, he’s going to explode.” Chamille snickered.
“Shut up.” I waved her off.
“Why do you keep pretending like you don’t want that man?” she asked.
“Who says I’m pretending?”
“Your mouth says one thing, but your eyes say another. The twinkle in your eye when you see him is brighter than the sun. Stop fighting the obvious love you have for the man and give him another chance.”
“Well—”
“Hey, ladies.” Marquise’s voice startled me. I turned my head to see him standing a few feet away. The scent of his cologne was strong. It was a leather and cashmere type of scent—masculine and warm.
“Hey, Marquise.” Chamille giggled. She stood up and gave him a side hug before skipping off in the direction of Quis.
I shook my head. “She gets on my nerves.”
Marquise took the seat she’d left and smiled at me. His smile could rival the sun. It was perfect, straight, and comfortable.
“Hey, Honey.”
“Hi,” I replied in a dry tone.
“I don’t want to ask you how you’re doing because I can imagine. I will extend my condolences to you.”
“Thanks.”
“Listen—”
“Wait. Before you continue, please understand I do not have any extra energy to give to you. I am exhausted. I am overwhelmed. I am sad. I do not want to deal with any added stress, so if you’re here on some of that type of time, spare me.”
He reached for my hand but pulled away at the last moment—as if he expected a rejection and opted to prevent it. “I’m not here to stress you out, baby.”
“I’m not your baby.”
“Right. Anyway, you were there for me when I went through many dark moments. You were my anchor to keep my feet planted. I want to do the same for you, Honey.”
His statement left me in a stupor. What was I supposed to say in response to that? We had so much history, so many memories, so much heartbreak. I couldn’t open myself up to him and risk bringing Quis into an unstable environment.
“Marquise, I?—”
“Can I take you on a ride?” he asked.
“A ride?”
“Like the good old days. It’ll give you an escape from these people as well as a few moments to enjoy the wind in your face.”
“I don’t know…”
“Jenifer or Chamille can watch Quis. I promise I’ll have you back before the sun sets.”
I tucked my lip between my teeth and contemplated the offer. Fuck it. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes. Don’t make me change my mind.”
His smile was contagious. “Shit, let’s go!”
“I’ll meet you at your car.”
“Fa sho.”
We both stood and went in separate directions. My stomach was swarmed with butterflies—the same little bugs that had infiltrated my system when I’d first started talking to Marquise all those years ago. Did God bring us back to rekindle the flame? Should I give him a chance? Should I open up to him?
Let’s see where fate takes us.
* * *
“Where are you taking me?” I asked as he merged onto the tollway.
The Camaro looked brand new, and the engine sounded great. Whoever kept the car for him while he did his bid took good care of the vehicle.
Marquise’s grip on the steering wheel shifted as he glanced at me. “Enjoy the ride, Honey.”
“What if you learned some serial killer tricks while in prison? Are you going to kidnap me and carve your name on my body or something?”
He chuckled. “You’re still watching them crime shows, huh?”
“You know I love those crazy ass shows.”
“Yeah, I do.” He shook his head.
He took a familiar exit. It took another fifteen minutes before he pulled up to the lake. Ducks swam in small groups while, in the distance, people fished on boats. We got out and sat on a bench near the dock. We watched life move around us before he finally spoke.
“We used to come out here and vent all the time. Let’s do that today. Tell me what’s on your mind. Release those emotions you’ve been bottling up.”
I fiddled with my thumbs and looked away.
“Aht.” Marquise reached over and used his pointer and middle finger to lift my head and turn to look into his eyes.
“Get out of your head and talk to me. I was once your safe space. Let me be that.”
My bottom lip trembled. “I’m just so frustrated, Key. I’m frustrated with you, with my family, with myself… I missed out on so much time with Granny Janie because I was running from the memories of you. I was running from everything associated with you. Instead of being there with my favorite lady during her last moments, I was in a completely different time zone, with no clue about what the fuck was going on with her. I spent most of my time with celebrities—people I didn’t give a single fuck about. I could have made more memories with her. I could have let Quis make more memories with her—” My heart ached as the first sob escaped from my lips. The gut-wrenching cry shook me to the core.
“Let that shit out, Honey.” Marquise pulled me into a tight hug, and the feel of his arms around me made me unravel completely. I clung to him as he held me. I cried for what felt like an eternity.
When the tears finally calmed down, the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders.
“I probably look a mess, huh?”
“Hell naw. You’re even more beautiful now.”
I waved him off while I chuckled. “Boy, bye.”
“I’m serious. Your laughter made it back into those beautiful brown eyes I’ve always loved.”
A red hue tinted my cheeks. “Stop it.”
“Why?”
“I’d rather not find myself crying for a second time today.”
He licked his lips as his eyes lit up with an unfamiliar emotion. “I got a question for you.”
Oh, Lord. What does he have to say?