Chapter 15 Ketai
Iripped weeds out of the ground then tossed them aside.
I promised Tampa I would help get her land ready for spring planting, so I dedicated today to building the fence for her garden.
I came over as soon as we woke up for the day and ate breakfast. While I worked, Free spent quality time with her sister.
Mine had come over about an hour ago, and I could hear them cackling on the porch.
They were probably wine wasted or well on their way.
There was something heavy on my heart, so I wasn’t really paying them any attention.
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I knew that if I was going to have everything in place on time, then I needed to start moving pieces on the chessboard.
There was one thing I would have to do before I could even begin planning, and today, it seemed like I would get my opportunity.
“Hey, Stanley. Seeing you out here working like this got me ready to take you back to your house and do some thangs to ya. I ain’t lying.”
I chuckled at my girl walking up to me. She was dressed down today in a red two-piece lounge set, but Free could make anything look good. “Is that right?”
She nodded. “Absolutely. My ovaries literally won’t stop screaming.”
She handed me a glass of ice-cold water that I happily accepted. “Thank you, baby.” I nearly drank it all in one gulp.
“You’re welcome. I actually came to tell you that Tampa said the chicken wire is at our father’s house. Would you mind going to get it and a few things from the grocery store? We’re going to cook.”
I dropped the tool in my hand and stood.
Dusting off my hands, I nodded after wiping sweat from my forehead.
“Yeah, I can do that.” She just didn’t know, going to see her father was exactly what I needed to do.
I placed a kiss on her cheek. “Let me go freshen up, then I’ll head out.
Get the list together of what y’all need. ”
She smiled. “Yes, sir.” We walked back in together, but I went one direction in the house, and she went in another.
When I came out of the bathroom, I walked into the kitchen to get the list. I mushed Katana’s head when I was close enough, making her buck at me. “Leave me alone, Tai. I’m not even bothering you.”
“I noticed. You feeling alright?” I placed the back of my hand on her forehead for emphasis. She swatted my hand away, making me laugh.
“Ha ha,” she mocked, then flipped me off.
I walked over to my girl and bent down for a kiss. “You got that list for me?” She nodded, then slid it over. I took a glance at it to make sure I could understand the handwriting. Once I was good, I stuffed it in my pocket and backed away. “I’ll be back, ladies. Don’t get too drunk.”
Katana waved me off. “Oh, we’re about to get so drunk. Miles is going to be driving me home too.”
I turned to look at Free. She tried to keep a neutral expression, but I knew she wanted to laugh. “Who gon’ cook the food if y’all get too drunk?”
“You are. Duh,” Katana answered.
I shook my head. “Damn, that’s crazy. Y’all just want to use me like a slave.”
“Men have been doing it for centuries. It’s about time we get a chance,” my sister said, keeping up her good bullshit.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Whatever, big head. Bye.”
I left them in the kitchen as I made my way out of Tampa’s house.
Miles was already in the driver’s seat, waiting, so I hopped in, and we were off.
We’d gone to family dinner at Free’s father, Mario’s, house a few times, so Miles knew where it was.
My heart raced the entire drive over there.
I knew he didn’t necessarily dislike me or anything like that, but it didn’t mean he would automatically say yes to me marrying his daughter.
Not to mention, I was going to call Ms. Rochelle too.
We hadn’t officially met, but she was equally, if not more, important to ask than Free’s father.
Free’s parents may not have been on the best of terms with each other, but when it came to their daughter, they didn’t fuck around.
I respected that because I wasn’t playing about her either.
The drive wasn’t long at all, and before I knew it, Miles was pulling up out front. “I shouldn’t be too long,” I told him before hopping out.
I made the short walk to the front door and rang the doorbell. Mr. Mario came to the door rather quickly. He smiled when he saw me. “Ketai, what brings you by here? Is my baby with you?”
I shook my head with a smile of my own. “No, I left her over at Tampa’s. I’m working on her fence today, and she sent me to get the chicken wire.”
He nodded as he took a step back. “Oh, right. Let me grab that for you.”
I cleared my throat, figuring there was no point in dragging this out. I was a little anxious and ready to get on the other side of my nerves. “Actually, before you grab that, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
He eyed me suspiciously but nodded and pointed toward his living room. We went to take seats with him sitting in his recliner and me on the love seat. I pulled out my phone and held up a finger. “Hold on, I have to make a call first.”
It was evening time over there in Efate, so I knew Ms. Rochelle would be available. She answered after a few rings. I sighed in relief. “Hey, Ms. Rochelle, it’s Ketai.” I could feel Mario watching me, but he remained silent.
“Hey, son. Is everything okay?” she asked, instantly going into Mom mode.
I chuckled. “Yes, everything is great. Hold on. I’m about to put you on speaker.
” I clicked the button so they could both hear me at the same time.
“Mr. Mario is here too because I wanted to ask the both of you this question, knowing how much Free means to y’all.
” My palms were a sweaty mess, but I did my best to keep it together.
“I truly love Free and want to spend my life with her, so I wanted to ask for her hand in marriage.”
Ms. Rochelle gasped before she shrieked excitedly. I glanced up at Mr. Mario to see surprise all over his features. “Are you sure? You don’t think it’s too fast or too soon? You two have only been dating for a few months.”
I nodded. “Yes, it’s only been a few months, but I don’t need a few more to know what I want.
Free came into my life when I least expected it and has done nothing but make it better in every way.
I hate being away from her, but I look forward to coming home to her.
It’s actually my favorite part of the day.
I go out of my way to keep her happy and see that smile on her face.
I’m not a man of a lot of words, but I can always show you where I stand.
When it comes to Free, the only place I want to stand is beside her. ”
“Aww, I know we haven’t officially met, but I believe you have my daughter’s best interest in mind. She’s been telling me you don’t play about her, and I guess that’s true for you to be ready for this. Did she tell you about her dream proposal? If you’re going to do it, you have to go all out.”
I chuckled. “I mean, I know it has to be at sunset, but I am willing to do whatever to make her dreams come true. If she knows what she wants, then that’s what she deserves.”
I glanced up at Mario because he still hadn’t said much. I found him nodding slowly. “One thing I will never do is stop my daughter’s happiness, and I have seen the two of you together enough times to believe you will do right by her, so you have my blessing,” he finally said.
Ms. Rochele hummed. “I didn’t say it, but yes, you have my blessing too. Thank you for including me. My baby has met a lot of men who weren’t ready for all the love she has to offer. I am so thankful she’s finally found her match.”
“It was mandatory that I ask you. Both of you.”
I felt so much better now that I had her parents’ blessings to move forward.
Ms. Rochelle agreed to help me plan everything out the next time we spoke.
I told her I needed to get things moving fast for a Valentine’s proposal, and she got even more excited.
By the time I left with the chicken wire, I felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders.
I was about to ask the woman I loved to spend the rest of her life with me.
Everything was good in my world and on track to get even better.