Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I think twelve seats at our table is enough. It’s not like any of them bringing a plus one. Nobody wants these lames,” Joshua claimed.
He hadn’t said much of anything throughout the entire meeting, but felt the need to toss in that line. Our mother was finalizing the details of my father’s dinner. It was only a week away.
“Lames?” I chuckled. Ignoring his ignorance, I turned toward my mother. “Twelve will be enough. There are eleven of us, plus my date.”
“Date?” Christian questioned, turning his mouth up.
I nodded.
“Someone has been keeping him busy for the last month. I hardly hear from him these days. She must be special.”
“Very special,” I informed my mother.
“Who is she? Tribecca isn’t all that big, little brother. I need to make sure I haven’t had the pleasure o–”
“You haven’t,” I assured Christian. “Next question, Mom.”
“Seriously, you’re seeing someone?” She asked.
“You’re asking a question you know the answer to.”
“I guess it’s no surprise you’re dating someone. I’m just– I don’t know– you’re bringing her to your father’s dinner. That’s a huge step.”
“She’s a huge step,” I admitted.
“I hope she’s nothing like the–”
“She’s nothing like anyone who just came to your mind. Nothing like them.”
“Good then. I can’t wait to meet her.”
I nodded with a sigh. “You’ll love her. She reminds me a lot of you.”
“Then she’s a keeper.” She chuckled.
“Definitely keeping her.”
As the words left my mouth, Summer’s name appeared on my screen. The vibration had become my favorite sound. Like clockwork, Summer was granted my weekends. This one was no different.
“If that’s it, I’m going to head out of here. I have a few stops to make.”
“That’s about it, son. Thank you. I’ll see you Thursday.”
“Thursday it is.”
I leaned in and planted a kiss on my mother’s forehead. Her hands surrounded me, pulling me closer to her.
“I love you, son.”
“I love you, too, lady.”
“Christian. Joshua.”
“Holla at you later,” Christian promised.
“Alright,” Joshua responded, partially paying attention.
I didn’t waste another second bumping my gums. I exited my parent’s home and made my way to my truck. As I settled in, I tapped the missed call from My Summer. My cell connected to my speaker as she answered.
“Hi.”
“I miss you,” I admitted, unable to keep it to myself.
“Then come get me.”
“I’m already en route, baby. Be ready when I get there.”
“I’ve been ready since I opened my eyes this morning,” she sniggered. “See you in a bit.”
The call ended before any more words could be exchanged. There was honestly no need. All that needed to be said had been said. I was on my way and Summer would be ready.
I checked my passenger seat a final time as I took the ramp to the highway.
The fresh tulips were still strapped to the seat in the new vase.
The water was low to be sure it didn’t spill while in transit.
Though I’d left the windows cracked, I was afraid they’d wither before my return to the truck.
Thankfully, they were still in perfect condition.
I stepped up onto the porch and pressed the doorbell. Within seconds, the door swung open. It wasn’t Summer’s face I encountered. It was her father’s. Their resemblance was uncanny. She looks so much like him without looking exactly like him.
“Good evening. Here to steal my girl again?”
“I am.” I chuckled.
“That’s fine with me, but come on in. I’m going to feed you two before you jet off.”
As much as I wanted to tell him I’d made dinner plans with Summer, my heart wouldn’t allow it. If he’d spent time over the stove, then I was eating whatever he put together. We could go to dinner another day.
“Smells good,” I admitted, stepping into their home.
It was just as I’d imagined. Greenery. Drapery. Vintage and colorful. Summer had put the entire place together. It was clear. Her signature was scribbled on each gold frame that made a unique collage on the wall and each piece of furniture.
“Smoked turkey wings. Cabbage. Mac and cheese. I just pulled the cornbread out of the oven.”
My stomach growled at the sound of what was waiting for me. I explored the open floorplan in the meantime. Though the home was an older build, it had so many modern upgrades. Yet, the charm old homes possessed was still very evident.
They’d torn down walls to open the space.
It felt airy and liberating, seeing everything and almost nothing at once depending on where your eyes landed.
Cushions were draped in fabric. Wooden floors were partially covered in rugs of all kinds.
Unique end tables graced the sides of the couches.
A television was disguised as a piece of art, surrounded by a gold frame.
Definitely Summer.
“Hey.”
At the thought of her, she appeared on the stairway. Extending my hand, I offered her the fresh flowers I’d picked up.
“Hey.”
“Thank you.”
Graciously, she accepted the tulips. Her cheeks were rosy. Her teeth were on full display. She pushed hair behind her ear, folding under my watchful eye.
“You look pretty, Momma.”
She was in oversized painter overalls, loafers, and a top that fit her like a glove. Glasses framed her face perfectly. Her hair hung down her back. Gold jewelry littered her body like diamonds in a jewelry case. It was plentiful and so strategically placed.
“Thank you.”
I removed the overnight bag from her hand.
“We need to get you more comfort items at my place, I see.”
She shook her head.
“No. I have specific things I want to wear this weekend in mind.”
“So, more clothes in the closet?”
“I’m fine, Saul. I promise.”
“You are–” I agreed, “You’re definitely fine, Summer.”
“Stop it, silly.”
“Nah, but seriously, I’m ready for you to be able to leave this bag at home. I want you to have everything you think you need at my place. Can we make sure you get that this weekend?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Thank you, Miss Summer.”
“You ready?”
“Your father has summoned us to the dinner table.”
“That’s why he’s been in the kitchen all day?” She asked.
“I assume. He made an entire dinner. Did you not know?”
“I thought he had a boost of energy and decided to cook himself dinner. I didn’t know it was for us.”
“I can’t deny him.”
“And, you shouldn’t. He has been taking frequent breaks and timing himself well, but he’s been at that stove all day almost. I wouldn’t want you to.”
“Turkey wings, cabbage, mac, and cornbread. Can’t pass that up. My stomach growling just thinking about it.”
“Mine too.” She chuckled.
“Come on.”
We entered the dining area to find Ray with two plates in his hands. One for me and one for Summer. I rushed to his side to grab them both. It was a struggle trying to carry them both with his oxygen tank trailing him.
“Sit down, old man. I’ll get yours.”
“I’ve go–”
“Sit down,” Summer demanded.
With a roll of his eyes and a frustrated exhale, Ray took his seat at the head of the table fit for six.
“I hope you don’t mind getting bossed around your own home because that’s all going to happen.”
Sniggering, I responded, “I’m ready for whatever she throws my way.”
With a straight face, Ray peered at me. His voice lowered as he scooted closer to me and leaned in.
“Let me tell you something, Saul–”
“I’m listening.”
“That’s my pride and joy in there,” he explained, “I love her more than I do the oxygen in that tank that’s keeping me alive.”
“Understood.”
“But, I’m tired,” he whispered. “I’m tired. I wake up every day because I know I’m all she has. I’m everything to her as she is everything to me.”
“I understand.”
“But, that’s been changing.”
“I’m here now.”
“Yeah. She won’t be alone.”
I shook my head. “No sir.”
“All I ask is that you take good care of her when I leave this earth. She’s stubborn when she wants to be, but dammit, she is worthy of the problem she can become. She’s a sweet girl. I raised her as such.”
“She’s a gift.”
“She is. Marry her. And, give her children she can pour the love she wished she had from her mother into them. Her soul needs that. That is when she’ll heal. That’s when she’ll let that burden die.”
“I agree.”
“Are you two talking about me?” Summer asked upon returning.
Just as quickly as she approached, she was in the wind again. She came back with three glasses of red juice in her hands. Bottles of water were in the crook of her arms.
“Let me help.”
I stood, rushing to her side to grab the glasses. I placed one near each plate. Before Summer could reach for her chair, I pulled it out.
“What kind is it?” I asked once she settled into her seat.
“Kool-aid. Tropical punch.”
I pushed her chair up to the table and rounded it to get to mine. It had been over fifteen years since I’d tasted Kool-aid. I was anxious to feel the sugary rush, like a kid in a candy store.
“Bow your heads,” Ray commanded, reaching out.
We joined hands and bowed our heads, prepared for our food to be blessed.
By the hand, Summer led me out onto the back porch. Dinner had ended two hours ago and somehow, we’d yet to leave. I wasn’t in a rush. Summer was comfortable. She was home and she was happy to have me in her space. Frankly, I was elated to be here.
“And this is where I go when the world is too much for me to handle or my walls are caving in on me. My father added it to our home years and years ago. It has become my greatest escape.”
Lights twinkled along with the stars. There were large, oversized cushions from one end to the other, nearly covering the entire floor.
Plants sat in every corner and hung from the ceiling like spider webs.
There was a hammock. There was also an assortment of pillows, ranging in sizes.
Blankets and sheets and covers were spread out on the cushions.
I couldn’t help myself. I lowered my body onto the makeshift bed. It was massive and as comfortable as it looked.
“Come here.”
I pulled Summer down onto me. Flat on my back, I pulled pillows underneath my head.
“Comfortable, isn’t it?”
“It is.”