Chapter 2 #3
Reaching up, she held my face and said, “I love you.”
“I know.”
“I mean it,” she said.
I smiled.
“I know”
She laughed through her tears, “you so arrogant.”
“Naw.”
I kissed her forehead.
“I’m just loved,” I added.
She smiled through her tears and gently shook her head.
“You really are something else.”
I grinned.
“What? I ain't lying.”
“You're impossible.”
“I've heard worse.”
She let out a soft laugh, the kind I'd been trying to hear all day. Right then my stomach growled loud enough to interrupt both of us. Her eyes slowly drifted down to my stomach before meeting mine again.
“Oh...so now you're hungry?”
I sucked my teeth.
“I ain't say all that.”
She folded her arms across her chest.
“Mm-hmm.”
“I was just…”
“What?”
“My stomach stretching.”
She laughed so hard she had to grab my forearm to steady herself.
“Billion.”
“What?”
“A few minutes ago you were fussing at me because I wouldn't eat.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
“Because you're my wife.”
She smiled.
“And now look at you.”
I shrugged.
“Guess we both need somebody looking after us.”
Her expression softened.
“I guess we do.”
She reached for my hand.
“Come on.”
“Where we going?”
“Downstairs.”
“I thought you were tired.”
“I am.”
“Then why are we going downstairs?”
“Because my husband skipped dinner trying to make sure I ate.”
I smiled to myself.
“Yes, ma'am.”
She laughed.
“I love when you listen.”
She led me out of the office; our fingers intertwined the whole way downstairs. By the time we reached the kitchen, the only lights still on were the ones hanging above the island. Miss Lorraine stood at the stove humming an old Anita Baker song while wiping down the counters.
She didn't even bother turning around.
“I was wondering how long it was gon' take y'all.”
Kaizleigh smiled.
“You knew we were coming?”
“I been knowing.”
Miss Lorraine pulled two plates covered with foil from the warming drawer and set them on the island.
“Sit down.”
Kaizleigh smiled.
“Yes, ma'am.”
I pulled her chair out before taking the seat beside her.
Miss Lorraine pointed the serving spoon in my direction.
“You too.”
I chuckled.
“Yes, ma'am.”
It didn't matter how many businesses I owned. Didn't matter how many people called me Mr. Stylez. In this house, Miss Lorraine still talked to me like the little boy she'd watched grow up.
She peeled the foil back.
Smothered pork chops. Rice. Collard greens. Candied yams.
The smell alone made my stomach growl again.
I looked at her.
“You made all this tonight?”
She gave me a look.
“Did it look like somebody else cooked it?”
Kaizleigh covered her mouth trying not to laugh.
“I love you, Miss Lorraine.”
“I know you do.”
She placed another spoonful of greens on Kaizleigh's plate.
“And I love making sure neither one of y'all waste away.”
For the next few minutes, the only sounds in the kitchen were forks against plates and Miss Lorraine rinsing dishes.
We finally moved past the hospital visit and felt a little peace.
Miss Lorraine stood at the sink with her back to us and after a minute she spoke.
“Baby?”
Me and Kaizleigh answered together.
“Yes, ma'am?”
She smiled to herself.
“Y'all still holding hands under that island?”
Both of us looked down at the exact same time. Our fingers were still laced together.
Kaizleigh smiled, shaking her head.
“You notice everything.”
Miss Lorraine laughed.
“I helped raise him.”
She glanced over her shoulder.
“You think I don't know when my baby in love?”
I couldn't help but smile.
Kaizleigh looked over at me before slipping her fingers back between mine instead of pulling away this time. Miss Lorraine finished drying the last plate and laid the towel across the counter.
When she turned around, the smile on her face had softened.
“Can I tell y'all something?”
“Yes, ma'am,” I answered.
She looked at Kaizleigh first.
“Baby...don't let grief make you forget how blessed you already are.”
Kaizleigh lowered her eyes. Then Miss Lorraine looked at me.
“And don't spend so much time trying to fix everything that you forget sometimes the Lord already gave you exactly what you prayed for.”
Neither one of us said a word.
She smiled.
“There are women praying for a husband that'll love them the way you love her.”
Then she looked at Kaizleigh again.
“And there are men praying for a wife that'll stand beside them through every season the way you stand beside him.”
She walked over and kissed Kaizleigh on the forehead before squeezing my shoulder.
“Now finish eating.”
“Yes, ma'am,” we answered together.
She laughed as she walked out of the kitchen. The room grew quiet again. I looked over at my wife. She was already looking at me. I held my hand out.
“Come on.”
She slipped her hand into mine.
“Where are we going?”
“Upstairs.”
She smiled.
“To sleep?”
I nodded.
“Yep, to sleep.”
A playful smile tugged at her lips.
“You're sure?”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Positive.”
She smiled, resting her head against my shoulder as we walked toward the staircase together. For the first time since we'd walked into that hospital...It finally felt like we could breathe again.