Chapter 10
“This is Keelan’s?” I asked as I studied the artwork Naryah had put in front of me.
“It is.”
When she returned from dropping Keelan off at his art class, she texted me to come over. We’d finally exchanged phone numbers on Sunday after leaving the studio.
“These are . . . I don’t know what to say. I would never guess this was a child’s work. He’s gifted.”
When Naryah told me that Keelan liked to draw and paint, I had no idea his work was that good. He was a lot more talented than I expected.
“I agree. So, I was thinking maybe he could do one of the murals for the studio.”
“That’s a great idea. You think he’d be interested?”
“I’ve already mentioned it to him and told him there was no guarantee you’d agree, but he was so excited he could barely contain himself.”
“Why would I not agree? He is talented beyond words. I’m excited and can’t wait for him to get started. Of course, I’ll pay for all the materials and for his time and effort.”
“Thank you for doing this, Graham. It’ll be a dope experience for him.”
“It’ll be dope for all of us. Something smells good. What’s in the oven?”
“I’m baking chicken thighs with mixed vegetables, and I made cheesy garlic mashed potatoes. Are you hungry?”
“Did you make enough for me?”
She stood and headed to the stove. “I’ll see if we can spare some for you.”
I watched as she carefully removed the large casserole dish from the oven. I could honestly look at her all day and not get bored. The past couple of days had been busy for me at the studio, so we hadn’t seen much of each other.
“I missed you,” I confessed.
“I’m never far away.”
“True, but I don’t want to impose on your space and the time you spend with Keelan.”
She placed my plate in front of me and asked what I wanted to drink.
“Water is cool.”
“Bottled or tap?”
“Whichever is easier. Thank you, baby.”
She returned to the table with a glass of ice water but didn’t make herself a plate. I assumed she was waiting to eat with Keelan.
The chicken was seasoned well and tender as hell. At my big age, I wasn’t big on vegetables, much to my mother’s dismay, but I mixed them with the mashed potatoes and didn’t taste them.
“This is good, and I don’t even eat vegetables like that. My mother would be proud.”
“Thank you, and you’re not slick, smothering them in the potatoes.”
“Aye, as long as I eat them, right? You know, I haven’t had a woman cook for me since I left home, not that you cooked this for me.”
She laughed. “I knew what you meant, and I don’t believe you.”
“Seriously. I had to come thousands of miles to get a home-cooked meal like this.”
“This isn’t even anything fancy. You can’t cook?”
“I do okay for me, but I wouldn’t invite anyone over to eat anything I cooked. There were a few holidays or occasions when I was invited to have dinner with some of my coworkers’ families.”
“Well, you’re welcome to have dinner with me and Keelan whenever I cook. I’ll always make sure I make enough for you.”
I leaned toward her for a kiss, and she obliged.
“I’m gonna take you up on that offer because I think my parents are already sick of me.”
“You were living across the country for over twenty years. I’m sure they’re glad to have you back home.”
“I wore out my welcome after two weeks.”
We laughed, but it was true. I’d had dinner with them more nights than I hadn’t since I’d moved back home. I had a better offer now, so they likely wouldn’t see me nearly as often as they had been.
“I need another favor,” she said hesitantly.
“Another favor? I didn’t agree to hire Keelan to do a mural as a favor. That was business, baby.”
“Okay, well, this is a favor.”
“Let me hear it.”
“I know this is short notice, but I was kinda nervous about asking. Keelan’s birthday is tomorrow, and he asked if you, him, Trey, and DJ could spend a few hours at Arcade Universe. It doesn’t have to be tomorrow, but—”
“Say no more, baby. I’d be glad to hang out with him for his birthday. I’ll talk to DJ and see if they’re available. If not, it’ll just be Keelan and me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?”
“I feel like it’s a lot to ask, but that’s the only thing he mentioned wanting to do.”
“Consider it done.”
“I appreciate you.”
“I appreciate you too. This food hit the spot. Even the vegetables. Can I have you for dessert?”
She stood and reached for my plate, but I pulled her onto my lap.
“Graham, I don’t think we have enough time for that.”
“What time is Keelan done?”
“Six thirty.”
I looked at my watch. “We got forty-five minutes before you have to leave. That’s plenty of time for me to take you to heaven.”
I slipped my index finger under her chin and lifted it for a kiss. Her lips felt warm and moist against mine as I slipped my tongue between them. Seconds turned into minutes, and honestly, I could’ve kissed her for hours and hours.
“You ready to let me kiss on that pussy?” I mumbled against her lips.
“Please.”
“Please, what?”
“Kiss my pussy.”
I lifted her from my lap, bridal style, and set her on the counter behind us.
“I think you wear these little dresses to give me easy access.”
“Maybe I do.”
Before her panties hit the floor, my tongue brushed against her lower set of lips. I went crazy on that pussy, even though it didn’t take much to have her leaking. It was a good thing Que was in his cage because Naryah’s screaming had him on high alert.
“Baby, you’re scaring Que,” I mumbled against her pussy.
She paid my warning no mind, and between her screaming and Que’s barking because of her screaming, I was surprised one of her neighbors didn’t call the police.
Later that night, after I showered and jacked off to visions of Naryah with my dick in her mouth, I called my brother to see if he and Trey were available tomorrow afternoon or evening.
“What’s up?” he answered.
“Shit. About to go to bed in a minute. My body is beat to hell after moving shit around at the studio all day. I’ve taken two hot showers in the past few hours, and I’m still sore as hell.”
“I used to move furniture for a living, and still do on occasion, so I understand.”
“That you do. What you and Trey got going on tomorrow afternoon or early evening?”
“Nothing that I’m aware of. Kindra hasn’t mentioned anything to me.”
“Cool. Tomorrow is Keelan’s birthday, and he asked if I could take him to Arcade Universe. He wants you and Trey to come too.”
“Hold on. Let me make sure our schedule is clear because my wife is known to tell me shit at the last minute.”
I listened as he moved through the house to find Kindra. She confirmed they had no plans, so we were good to go.
“Trey will definitely be down to go to AU, but hold up. You playing stepdaddy now?”
I chuckled. “Nah, but mark my words, he will be my stepson.”
“I hear you. How’s that going?”
“Better with each passing day. After our date, I was a little worried. Her bad experiences with men started with her dad.”
“That sucks, but like I told you, keep being you, and keep showing up. You’re an annoying little brother, but you’re a good guy. She’ll come around eventually.”
“I can’t force her into a relationship because that ain’t my style. I want her to want it as much as I do, so it may take more time than I thought.”
“You’ve been calling her your wife since you laid eyes on her.”
“I heard God loud and clear when He told me she was my wife. Who am I to question Him?”
“Did He say when she would become your wife?”
“No, but—”
“Exactly. Give the woman some time to allow her feelings to catch up with yours. She was hurt by men she loved, so you can’t expect her to move at your pace.”
“You might be right.”
“I am. I’ll see you tomorrow, though. Kindra’s calling me.”
The call ended, and I went to bed. I was tired as hell, so sleep came quickly, and before I knew it, my alarm sounded. I begrudgingly got out of bed and dressed in workout clothes.
A few minutes later, I was headed out the door to run three miles. When I returned, I showered, got dressed, and called my mother to see if she’d cooked breakfast.
“Good morning, baby boy.”
“Hey, Ma. What you and Pops up to?”
“We just got back from our morning walk.”
“You cooking breakfast?”
“No, but we’d love to go to breakfast with our youngest son. Are you on your way?”
“That was slick, Ma, but I’ll be there in thirty.”
“Love you, Son. See you soon.”
“Love you more.”
Thirty minutes later, I pulled up at my parents’ house. They were in their late sixties. My father was an attorney, and my mother, a stay-at-home mom.
“Knock, knock!” I shouted after letting myself in through the garage.
“Good to see you, Son. Your mother tells me you’re treating us to breakfast.”
My father was seated at the kitchen table reading the newspaper, something he’d done since I was a child. Oddly enough, Black Elm no longer had a newspaper delivery service, so he picked up a copy each morning while they were on their morning walk.
“It’s always good to see you, old man. Your wife tricked me into taking y’all to breakfast, but you know I don’t mind.”
I leaned down and kissed him on his bald head, something my brother and I started doing when we grew to be almost a foot taller than him.
“You’d better not mind, as many times as I’ve fed you since you came home. I’m ready,” Ma said when she entered the kitchen.
I kissed her cheek, then draped my arm over her shoulders. My mother was my heart. Actually, both my parents were. I owed everything I was to them.
“Where to?” I asked.
“Black Elm Bistro,” Ma responded.
“Sounds good to me.”
In the car, my mother insisted on sitting in the back seat so my father and I could talk. I didn’t know why it mattered because she gave her two cents every few minutes anyway. When we arrived, we were seated quickly and immediately viewed the menu.
“So, a little birdie told me you’re seeing someone,” Ma said after the server brought our drinks and took our order.
“Oh, I see now. That’s what this is about. You want information.”
“No, I wanted a free breakfast and a little of my son’s time,” she denied with a smile.
“Is it true?” Pops questioned.
“It is.”
“Why haven’t we heard about or met her?”
“She’s cautious, hesitant, scared . . . you name it.”
“Her past?” Pops concluded.
I nodded. “Yeah, but I think I’ve gained her trust. Today is her son’s eleventh birthday, and she’s allowing me to spend the day with him, at his request.”
“She definitely trusts you, unless she’s one of those mothers—” Ma began.
“I assure you she’s not. She’s an amazing mother who doesn’t play about her son. God told me she’s my wife.”
My parents’ eyes ballooned with surprise.
“Bring her and her son over for dinner this Sunday. I can’t wait to meet her.”
My mother’s response wasn’t surprising at all. She’s been waiting for her baby boy to find someone for years.
“You know you shouldn’t have told that to your mother. She’ll have the wedding planned by Sunday,” my father teased.
“At least wait until I propose, Ma. Plus, she’s very close to her mother and sister. They might want to have some input too.”
“Invite them to dinner too. Let’s make it a whole family affair. Baby, when Graham drops us off, we need to go to the grocery store to get the things I need for Sunday dinner.”
“You see what you started.” My father pretended to fuss.
“Let me confirm first, Ma. They may have plans.”
“That’s true. I guess I can wait until tomorrow to go to the store, but let me know as soon as possible.”
Our food arrived, and we continued to enjoy each other’s company while we ate. By the time I dropped them off at home, I was slightly behind schedule and had to play catch-up. As I worked and handed out orders to others, someone commented about my jovial mood.
I was typically a nice person who worked well with others, but I had to admit, today I had a little more pep in my step. As I thought about my plans with Keelan and the conversation with my parents earlier that day, I had a few things to be excited about.