Chapter 20
Holidays at Home
Zahirah
Four months later …
“Hey, Mrs. Fran, can I help you with anything?” I ask as I walk into the Coswell kitchen.
It’s Christmas, and our families are having Christmas dinner together this year. Bentley and I were lucky to be able to come home. His team won their ball game just in time for him to be here.
It looks like they’re going to the playoffs for sure. I’m so excited for him. This season has been everything he wanted and more. Bentley has balled out.
“Oh, yes, I was hoping you would offer. Your father and Bill had their hearts set on your mother’s cornbread dressing and greens. She was supposed to make them before she hurt her wrist helping me with those stupid decorations. I feel so bad,” she says with worry in her eyes.
“You want me to make them?”
“Yes, I have everything here already. The greens are already washed. You’ll find everything else in the refrigerator and pantry. I know she taught you how to make them. She told me you’ve been cooking.” She winks at me.
Mom did teach me, and the last two Thanksgivings, I secretly made both the collard greens and the stuffing for her. My dad was none the wiser. I have to say, I do make them both pretty damn well. I begin to roll my sleeves up.
“No problem. I’ve got you,” I sing.
“Oh, thank you, honey. You’re a lifesaver. I have a taste for the greens and the dressing myself.”
I get to work gathering everything and begin to prep. There’s Christmas music playing and laughter flowing through the house. I can hear the boisterous, booming voices of my dad and Bentley’s father.
As I cut the greens and prep them to set aside while I get the neck bones seasoned in the pot, I begin to smile and wiggle my hips. Mrs. Fran looks up at me and smiles. We work in silence for the most part.
“The greens are in the pot, and the cornbread should be out in another fifteen minutes. I need to brown this meat and sweat these onions and green peppers down,” I mumble to myself.
Suddenly, I’m wrapped in big, strong arms. I crane my neck to look up at Bentley. He dips his head and kisses my neck then pecks my lips.
“I was wondering what happened to you,” he says as he searches my face with his gaze.
“I came to see if I could give your mom a hand.”
“And she put you to work? Really, Mom?”
“You hush. You boys will eat up all the food, but you have no idea all the work that goes into prepping it. Zah is a good girl and she came to the rescue,” Mrs. Fran says.
Bentley laughs as he begins to sway with me in his arms. He doesn’t release me as his mom stares at us with a smile on her face. I begin to feel a little shy as I feel her gaze on us.
“You two are so adorable together. It warms my heart to see it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this, Bent,” Mrs. Fran says.
“I’ve never been in love like this,” he croons and kisses the top of my head.
“Aw, I love that, but you’re going to have to let her go so she can finish those dishes. Now get,” she laughs.
“Actually, I was looking for you for a reason. Baker, Gilbert, and the gang are all heading to the field for a game. Garret, Eddy, and I are riding over to join.”
“Gilbert Manning? Wow, I haven’t seen him since before I left for freshman year.”
“So you want to come with us?”
“Yeah, but this is going to take some time to finish.” I pout.
“Girl, you have it smelling like I’m in here,” my mom says as she enters the kitchen.
“Hey, Mom. How’s your wrist?”
“It’s going to be fine enough for me to finish what you started. You go on and hang with your friends. I’ve got Fran, your father can help me lift a pan or pot or two.”
“Are you sure, Mom?”
“You did most of the heavy lifting already. I can finish up. You kids just get back here before dinnertime.”
I look up at Bentley. “You guys go ahead. I’ll meet you there. I want to at least help and make sure this gets into the oven.”
He pecks my lips. “Erica said she would meet us there too. She’s talking to someone on the phone. You can come over with her,” he says.
“Okay, cool. See you in a bit.”
He leans into my ear. “I miss you already. Be safe.”
“You too.”
With that, he turns to leave. I look up and find my mother and Mrs. Fran watching me. I bite my lip and try not to roll my eyes.
“You see these two?” my mother teases.
“Aren’t they the cutest?”
“Um-hm. Adorable and growing up too fast for my liking. It was just yesterday they were running around here playing with toys and fussing at each other.
“You really don’t have to stay behind, Zah. What all haven’t you done yet?”
“It’s fine, Mom. I don’t mind.”
“Don’t rush her away. I wanted to ask about the earrings and charm necklace he purchased a few months ago.”
I reach for the necklace and bring it up to my lips. I love my necklace and the earrings. I haven’t taken either of them off since he gave them to me.
“He gave me the earrings for my birthday and the necklace for our one-year anniversary,” I gush.
“You had to see them,” Erica says as she glides into the room. “They were both glowing and so stinking cute when I met them at the ski resort. I have to say, I was annoyed with them when they didn’t tell me about their relationship, but seeing them together …” She shrugs.
Then she continues. “It all makes so much sense now. Like they’ve always been together or should have been.”
“I have to say, I was tickled when he called to ask about my jeweler. I guess I took too long to get back to him because by the time I called him with the information, he informed me he had already made a purchase. He was so excited,” Bentley’s mom says.
“I’m just happy the two have been so responsible,” my dad says as he comes into the kitchen.
“Can we talk about something else? There has to be something else of interest going on around here,” I grumble as I chop at the ground meat in the pan.
“You’re my baby, the most interesting topic in the world to me,” my father says as he comes and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“I doubt that, Daddy.”
“Then you don’t know my girl. Track star, straight-A student, most beautiful girl in the world, and my entire heart,” he says and kisses my forehead as he gives me a squeeze.
“I think you’re a little biased,” I snicker.
“Nah, that’s my baby. Why don’t you come take a walk with me before you take off with the others. I wanted to talk with you, and I have a gift for you.”
“Okay, let me get this all stirred up and in the oven.”
“Didn’t I tell you I had it? Girl, if you don’t get your butt out of this kitchen.”
“All right, all right,” I relent.
My father leads me out of the Coswell home, and we begin to walk around our block. I’ve walked this path with my dad more times than I can remember. Memories of looking up at him as a little girl hit me hard suddenly.
He would hold my hand and look down at me with the biggest smile on his face. I think I’ve outgrown all of that. However, when he takes my hand in his, like he used to do when I was little, I begin to tear up.
I’m such a daddy’s girl. My father has always been my hero. I’ve always had his support and words of wisdom to help guide me.
“I meant what I said, Zahirah. I’m so proud of you. You’ve turned into a beautiful young woman. Your grades have been outstanding, and I’m so damn proud of your track seasons. You’re my little superstar, but you’re not so little anymore,” he chokes out.
“I’m still your little girl. That’s never going to change.”
“Oh, baby girl, I wish that were true. It’s already changing. You’re becoming an adult. You have adult situations coming your way. You know it’s not going to be a walk in the park to be on Bentley’s arm.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. You two are about to face a world of challenges. Starting with him entering the pros while you’re still working on your degree and an Olympic spot. Do you think you’re ready for this?”
“Yeah, Dad. I think I am. We’ve gotten stronger over the last year. Neither of us wants to bring the other drama.
“We’re too focused on our sport and I’ll be focused on my grades. Bent knows and respects that. I think I love him more because of it,” I reply.
“I want you to remember you can always come home when life gets heavy and you need your mother and me. We’re here and we’ll support you in any way we can.”
“I know, Daddy, but thank you for saying it out loud as a reminder. It makes me feel a whole lot better.”
“You’re my baby. I’ve always got your back. Oh, by the way, Bill and I can’t wait for the spring to use those golf passes.
“That was a great gift, baby. Bill had to give up his membership when things were tight. I didn’t see a reason to keep mine without him. We’ve been wanting to get back out there together. Thank you.”
I give him a smile. “You’re welcome. Speaking of Christmas gifts, what’s this gift you have for me?” I ask as we make it back around the block to our house.
He stops in front of our driveway instead of continuing next door to the Coswells’. I look up at him expectantly. The sound of the garage door opening grabs my attention.
When I turn, there’s a brand-new car sitting in the garage with a big red bow on it. I look back at my dad in disbelief. I had no idea my parents planned to gift me a new car.
The car I have is getting older and has had some trouble in the last few months, but I never expected this. I should have known when the state of my car became the first thing he would ask about during our weekly calls. My dad is a protector and provider.
“Oh my God, are you serious? This is mine?” I squeal.
I’m running in place because I don’t know whether to hug the shit out of my dad, run to check out the car, or run to get Erica so she can see it with me. Someone pinch me. I jump into my dad’s arms and hug him tight as I snap out of shock.
Erica, my mom, and Fran come out to see what’s going on. Bill is standing on the porch with a big smile on his face. It’s like the Christmas when Erica and I got new bikes and our dads stood outside to watch us ride them all day.
“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you,” I sing happily.