Chapter 24 Kamryn
Kamryn
If she says one more word about how I’m doing things, I’m going to snatch her!
Kamryn continued cutting the last of the fruit for the tray. She’d invited the family over for a little first birthday celebration
for Imani. However, from the moment she’d walked through the door, Giselle had started in on why Kamryn shouldn’t be throwing
a party for a one-year-old.
“I mean, you should at least wait until she’s about five so she can remember it. This is just a waste of money that would’ve
been better used for her college fund or something important.”
She mentally counted to ten to rein in her anger. It didn’t help. Neither did the deep breaths she tried releasing slowly.
Kamryn spun around with the knife still in her hand. “You know what? When it’s your turn, you can do whatever you want. But
this is my house, my daughter, and if you don’t like the way I do things, the door is right over there. You can get out. But what you’re not going
to do is—”
“Everything okay in here?” Mama Yvonne entered the kitchen and divided a wary glance between Kamryn and Giselle.
“Just fine, if you don’t count Giselle telling me all the reasons I shouldn’t be throwing a party for my child.
” Kamryn snatched the platter off the counter and stormed out.
“Oooh, she makes me so mad,” she muttered, arranging the food on the table to make room.
Feeling her emotions rise, Kamryn made her way to the bedroom to regroup.
She only needed a couple of minutes. It was getting harder and harder to be at the family gatherings, and once or twice, she’d been tempted to just stay home.
But she loved her husband’s family, and everyone else got along fine.
She looked up when she heard a sound near the door.
“Can we come in?” Chanel asked.
“Of course.” Chanel and Taylor came over to the bed and flanked her on either side.
Taylor hugged her. “We kind of heard what happened in the kitchen. Well, actually, everybody heard it.”
“Great.” That was all she needed. More drama.
“I know it hasn’t been easy, and I’ve tried to find out why Giselle is so rude when it comes to you, but I haven’t had any
luck,” Chanel said. “We love you, and Taylor and I decided we’re going to do everything we can to bring everybody together.”
“Exactly. I think we should have a spa evening, and we can do it at my place so there won’t be any reason for her to criticize
you. I’ll do all the planning.”
Kamryn grasped the hands of the two women who’d become the younger sisters she never had. “I love y’all so much, and I appreciate
what you’re trying to do. I also know that no matter what, she’s going to find a way to point the finger at me.”
Chanel playfully bumped Kamryn’s shoulder. “Then we’ll just have to point it back. We’re sisters, and it’s time we all acted
like it.”
“I hear you, Chanel. Be careful, though. I don’t want her to start doing the same thing to you.”
“Girl, I grew up with drunks and drug addicts for parents. I can take anything she dishes out.”
That made Kamyrn smile. Chanel was tougher than she often let on, and it had been such a pleasure watching her come out of
her shell. “Okay. Let me know when you want to do it. I’m sure Tariq would love having an entire evening of holding Imani
without me telling him to put her down every ten minutes.”
Taylor shrugged and said, “Well, he’s a girl dad.” As if that explained everything.
“Whatever. I guess I should get back out there since I’m supposed to be hosting this party. You might want to leave before
me. Otherwise, Giselle will definitely think we’re conspiring against her.”
Taylor stood. “It’ll be fine. I’m thinking we can do it next Friday or Saturday night, depending on which day she has available.
Maybe a light dinner, a mani-pedi, and a chair massage. A friend of mine does these kinds of parties all the time.”
“Oh, that sounds so good,” Kamryn said. Minutes later, they returned to the rest of the family.
Near the end of the party, they gathered around the table to sing to Imani and have cake. Austin called in by video just as
the song ended. Tariq placed the phone in front of her.
“Happy birthday, baby girl,” Austin said.
Imani squealed, grabbed the phone, and tried to kiss it. She babbled excitedly.
“Wow, sounds like you’re having a great party. You have to save me a piece of cake, okay? Hey, fam. Miss you all.”
“We miss you too,” they chorused.
Tariq took the phone back, and Imani let out a loud wail. “See the trouble you’re starting,” he said to Austin.
He laughed. “I can’t help it if my beautiful niece loves me. I need to get back. I’ll call soon. Tell my Tay I’ll talk to
her tonight.”
“She heard you, and judging by the smile on her face, I guess that means she’ll be waiting,” Tariq said with a little laugh.
“Later, bro.”
“Bye, Austin,” the family yelled.
Still smiling, Kamryn placed the mini cake she’d had made in front of Imani so her little angel could eat and play to her
heart’s content. Everyone laughed when Imani started dancing in her seat while they sang the Stevie Wonder version of “Happy
Birthday.” Afterward, she and Tariq helped open presents. As most babies often did, Imani seemed more interested in playing
with the boxes and wrapping paper than with the actual gifts.
Tariq wrapped his arms around Kamryn, and she placed empty platters in the sink. “This turned out better than I thought. I
figured Imani would’ve been asleep twenty minutes in,” he said.
“Please. Not when she’s the center of attention. Your parents have been spoiling her all day, and she’s eating it up. Shawn
and Vincent have been rolling around on the floor with her, and you saw how excited she got when Austin called.”
“Speaking of Mom, I asked if she and Dad wouldn’t mind watching her for a few hours tonight so we can have a date night. We
haven’t really done much since she’s been born.”
“That sounds heavenly.” They’d managed to do dinner once a month, but most times they rushed back to pick her up from whichever
family member had volunteered to babysit. “How fast can we make these people leave?”
He threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Girl, you ain’t nothing nice.”
“That’s not what you’ll say later.” She tossed him a bold wink.
His brow lifted. “I can have them gone in ten minutes.”
Kamryn cracked up. Wiping tears of mirth from her eyes, she said, “I love being married to you.”
“Ditto, baby.” Tariq swatted her on the behind. “Now let’s go put everybody out.”
As soon as they walked into the family room, Taylor said, “There you are. I was looking for you.” She waved Chanel and Giselle
over. “Let’s go in the kitchen.” The three women followed Taylor.
“What’s going on?” Giselle asked.
“I wanted to invite you all to my place next Friday for a spa night. It’ll be the perfect end-of-the-week wind-down, and we
can spend some time together as sisters. I checked with my friend who has a business doing spa events, and her team is available.
I’ll do two or three different charcuterie boards, wine, and plenty of good music. What do you think?”
“I’m ready tonight,” Chanel said. “Count me in.”
Kamryn raised her hand. “I’m in too.” They all turned to Giselle.
“I should be free.”
“Great. I’ll text you tomorrow or Monday to let you know the time. It’ll most likely be around six thirty or so to give everybody
time to get home from work and relax for a few minutes. We’re going to have so much fun.”
Chanel did a little shimmy. “I can’t wait.”
They were still talking and planning when they returned to the family. Twenty minutes later, the house was silent.
“The house hasn’t been this quiet in a year,” Tariq said. “It feels almost weird not hearing my little chatterbox.”
“I know what you mean. Well, where are we going, and how do I need to dress?”
“We’re staying in, and what you’re wearing is perfect.”
Placing a hand on her hip, she said, “What are you planning?”
His lips twitched in amusement. “You’ll see. But for now, take your beautiful self into the family room and recline. I’ll
come get you in about fifteen minutes.”
Kamryn studied him, but his expression gave nothing away. Still wondering what he had up his sleeve, she did as he’d asked.
While she simply adored her baby girl, she missed having quiet times with Tariq. They were blessed to have family nearby who
volunteered to babysit, so she couldn’t complain too much. But their intimate moments were often interrupted, so it had been
somewhat of a challenge to get in some quality time, especially now that she’d returned to work. Theresa had hired another
counselor, so Kamryn was able to keep her decreased hours and have extra time at home. She decided right then that they would
do better at being intentional about their quality time. The moment she reclined, she let out a satisfied sigh and closed
her eyes. She didn’t realize she’d dozed off until she felt a soft kiss and heard Tariq’s voice.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Yawning, Kamryn pushed the button to lower the chair, then stood and followed him to the bathroom where he’d run her a bubble
bath and sprinkled rose petals over the top. He’d also lit candles and had soft music playing. “It’s beautiful. Thank you
for this.”
“I miss us doing these kinds of things, and we need to be better at remembering to just be together.”
She laid her head against his shoulder. “I said the same thing to myself a few minutes ago.”
“Then we’re in agreement.” He divested them of their clothes, guided her into the oversized soaking tub, then eased in behind her.
She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Kamryn couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt so relaxed.
She didn’t know how long they stayed that way before washing up and retreating to the family room.
Tariq pulled her into his arms. “Dance with me.”
She went into his arms easily, and they started a slow sway to the ballad playing. They danced to song after song. “Tariq.”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Make love to me.” She wanted to feel him, to reconnect. Tonight, she only wanted to concentrate on loving her husband and
being loved by him.