3. Solomon
Friday
I pulled up to the Northwest Care Center the next morning and parked next to my parents' minivan. I felt bad after their visit, so I decided to come help them with the fundraiser and apologize for the way I treated and spoke to my moms. I knew they wanted grandchildren out of me, but they had to change their ways before any of that could happen. All that passing judgment and being in my business had to cease. I loved my people and wanted to give them what they wanted, but until they got right, I wouldn’t go searching for my bride yet.
I stepped out of my Ram pickup truck and headed toward the lot where a mini carnival was set up. Adults meandered about, setting up everything while cars waited outside the gate.
I looked around and found my parents hanging the stuffed animals for one of the carnival games and made my way over to them.
“’Sup, family?” I greeted them. My pops smiled and pulled me in for a hug.
“How you doing, Son?” he asked.
“I’m blessed, Pop. How you?”
“Same.”
My moms eyes came up to me. “You came,” she stated.
I nodded. “I did. I also want to apologize to you both for how I acted the other day. I’m still on this walk to becoming a better version of myself, so bear with me.
I was wrong and could have handled my emotions better, so please accept my apology.
I should have never said what I said to you,” I told them.
Urina smiled softly, then came from behind the makeshift counter and wrapped her arms around me. She kissed my cheek, then released me.
“And I apologize for my assumptions and butting into your personal life. You know that we love you and just want the best for you. We forgive you, and we hope you forgive us for being intrusive.”
I nodded. “I do.”
“Good. Now that you’re here, come help us finish setting up,” my pops said, handing me a box of stuffed animals.
“What’s the fundraiser for?” I asked.
“Autism Awareness. To gain funding for different resources and open up more centers for children and adults in need,” moms replied.
“That’s what’s up. Will there be food?” I asked. I was hungry since I skipped breakfast this morning.
“Yes. The food trucks should be here soon,” my mom replied.
“Cool.” I moved around the counter to help them set up.
I commended Principals Of Faith Baptist Church for putting this fundraiser together for people with special needs.
The state of Michigan lacked resources because of funding.
Although I hadn’t been to church in a month of Sundays, I still paid my tithes and tuned in to the live streams on Sundays.
Since my company was a 24-7 job, I made sure I carved out my Sunday morning to get the word before I started my day.
An hour later, the food trucks were geared up, and the gates opened to the public. I watched as women, men, and children all filed in with smiles on their faces, which prompted my own to appear.
The sun was shining as I lifted my head to thank God and appreciate seeing another day.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Solomon Matthews,” a deep voice said from my left. I turned my head to see Pastor Daniels approaching me. I smiled lightly as I stood to shake his hand.
“Pastor Daniels. It’s good to see you.”
“Great to see you too, son. We see more of your money than we see you.” He chuckled.
“I know. My company keeps me busy, but I tune in every Sunday to get a good word.”
He chuckled again. “I guess I can’t argue with that.” He moved over to my parents to greet them before turning his attention back to me.
“How’s the First Lady?” I asked.
“She’s doing real good. She just launched her hair care line, so she’s really excited about that.”
“That’s good.”
“Are you still in pursuit of finding your bride?” he asked me.
I smirked and shook my head. I remembered the last time I spoke to him I told him I was ready to find a wife.
That was a year ago. The women that I’d encountered seemed too stiff for me.
I didn’t want a lady for the streets, but I needed one who had that edge but still kept it holy. I had yet to find her.
“I wish he was, Pastor. It seems as if we won’t be getting any grandchildren any time soon.
” My moms laughed nervously. I shot her a look that told her to chill because I could tell she was about to get started with her bullcrap.
She held her palms up in mock surrender, then busied herself with helping the kids that walked up to play the game.
“Ah, you can’t rush God’s plan, Sister Matthews. I’m sure when the moment arises, you will be blessed with the title.”
“’Preciate you for saying that, Pastor D,” I said, then looked off for a moment before asking him, “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Sure thing.” We walked a ways away from my parents to the picnic tables, since the area was empty, which I was grateful for because I needed the discretion.
I tried to find the words to describe the way I had been feeling lately.
I wasn’t perfect by a long shot, but I knew what I wanted for my life and in a woman and how easy it was for the flesh to get weak.
What I said to Brooke in that conference room should have never left my mouth.
But like I said, I wasn’t a perfect man, but I wanted to be different to attract the woman I knew was meant for me.
“Talk to me, son,” Pastor Daniels said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“I know this isn’t the time to ask for guidance—”
“Any time is the perfect time, Solomon. Anytime anyone needs spiritual guidance, I’ll always be available to give it to them. It’s my job. It’s what God ordained me to do. We have about twenty minutes, so anything you have to say, I’m here to listen.”
I gave him eye contact as I spoke. “I wanted to ask you how you were able to stay on the right track with your faith. I’m really struggling because my flesh is fighting against me every day. I haven’t had sex in almost a year, but I keep getting these sudden urges to take somebody down.”
Pastor Daniels chuckled and nodded. “I understand. To have been doing something for so long and then go cold turkey can be a struggle. However, a whole year and you haven’t done anything should tell you that you are strong enough to fight those urges.
It means the Holy Spirit is working with you along your journey.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ”
“Galatians 5:16,” I noted.
“That’s right. The best advice I can give you is, anytime you feel the need to give in to those desires, is to distract yourself with something else.”
“What about when I pursue my wife? I’m nervous that I won’t be able to hold out until marriage,” I confessed.
“Well, son, you better hope she’s willing to marry you before that happens.” We both chuckled. “But you’ll be fine. Find a woman who’s willing to wait for you, keep you focused, help you keep your mind on The Most High, and let Him guide you both through.”
I nodded and extended my hand for him to shake. “Thanks, Pastor. I’m going to try my hardest.”
“That’s all you can do.” His eyes went to the entrance of the care center, where patients with special needs emerged with their caregivers. “Come on. They’re going to need our help.” I nodded and followed him toward the building.
When we approached the group of people, my stomach dropped.
The first thing I noticed was her eyes. They were eyes that captured me at first sight and refused to let me go.
They weren’t any specific color, but their slight feline shape put me in a chokehold I couldn’t get out of.
I was never a man of many words, but even she stole the ones I did have set up in the queue.
I could tell she was at a loss for words, too, because neither one of us could take our eyes off one another. My eyes roamed her smooth butter pecan skin, pretty pink lips, cute button nose, and what looked like a birthmark on her neck.
Just stunning—beautiful—freaking exquisite.
When her lips curved into a smile, my heart did some funny sh—mess, and right then I knew I needed to know who she was.
She even made wearing scrubs look enticing.
“How are you doing, Pastor Daniels?” the woman, who I assumed owned the center, asked, approaching us.
“Blessed and highly favored, Mrs. Jones,” he replied, then greeted the man next to her with a handshake. I assumed it was her husband since his arm was draped over her shoulder.
“Temple. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“I know, Pastor Daniels. Just been working a lot and haven’t had the time to come praise and worship.”
“How’s your grandmother?”
“She’s good. Still a fireball.” She chuckled mirthlessly.
So my bae’s name is Temple. Very unique.
My Temple.
I already surmised something was wrong with my grandmother-in-law by the flash of sadness I caught in her eyes. Already, I wanted to remedy that.
Not you claiming her as your in-law already. My nigga, are you cool?
I chuckled to myself as I watched her watch me.
“Damn, you fine,” one of the ladies with them said, eyes stapled on me. She shook from her daze when Mrs. Jones bumped her shoulder. “My apologies, Pastor. God knows what he created.”
Beauty chuckled, and it sent a signal to my heart and another area that shall remain nameless.
Damn. This is going to be harder than I thought.
“Hey, nobody’s perfect, but it doesn’t hurt to try.” Pastor Daniels gave her a look and chuckled. “This is Solomon Matthews. He and I, along with the rest of the staff from the church, will be helping you all with anything you need today.”
“Go play!” one of the children yelled, pointing toward the train.
“In a minute, Justice,” Beauty calmly told him.
Mr. Jones spoke up. “Thank you, Pastor. And thank you for doing this. There has been a rise in the number of children with autism. My wife and I started this company so that we could help families who are in need.” I couldn’t help but notice how he kept looking at my Beauty.
Any man with eyes could tell he was fond of her.
I’d send him up the yonder if he kept looking at her like that.
Tread lightly, Poindexter.
“And it’s a blessing what you’re doing, and I’m sure the families are very grateful and prayerfully this fundraiser helps open more centers.”
“Go play!” Justice yelled again.
Pastor Daniels chuckled. “I can see they’re ready to play, so we won’t hold you guys up any longer,” Pastor Daniels said, pointing to the four little ones that were twisting to be set free.
“Let me help you with him,” I offered Beauty, taking little man’s hand and signaling for her to follow. I allowed Justice to pull me along so he could get on the train ride. While strapping him in, I looked over at Temple, and she was already staring at me.
I smirked. “I like you too,” I told her.
She frowned. “What?”
“You said you like me, and I said I like you too.”
She laughed lightly. “Those words never left my mouth, sir.”
“They didn’t have to. Actions speak louder than words.” I winked.
She bit her lip.
God. Why did she have to do that?
I had to look away so my mans wouldn’t get excited thinking of her wrapping those pretty pink lips around him.
“Oh, really now?”
I nodded. “But you knew that, though.” After I made sure Justice was secure, I extended my hand for her to get in beside him.
She smiled and climbed on while I climbed in the cart behind them.
I was too damn big for this ride, but there was no way I was letting Beauty out of my sight.
I adjusted my legs and sat sideways so my knees could have space and I could see her fully.
I watched as she gave Justice a tablet to keep him occupied, then pushed her long mane up into a bun.
“You live around here?” I asked to break the ice.
“Sterling Heights, but I work here in Southfield.”
“Nice.”
“What about you, since you in my business?” she sassed playfully.
I chuckled. “I live in the Brownsville penthouses downtown.”
“Hm. Fancy.”
“Hey, Sterling Heights ain’t the hood either.”
She laughed. “Touché. But I live in a townhouse, not a penthouse. You must have a great job to afford that place,” she assumed.
“I own my own security company. It pays the bills.” I shrugged.
“Somehow I think you’re just being modest.”
“Maybe a little. Are you single?”
She looked back at me with a slight smirk. “Maybe, maybe not.”
I nodded and licked my lips.
Damn, she’s beautiful.
“Well, if by chance you’re not, I would like to maybe take you to breakfast tomorrow if you’re free.”
She smirked. “You trying to get to know me?”
“Absolutely.” We held eye contact for almost ten seconds before she smiled and nodded.
“I wouldn’t mind that, but I usually sleep my mornings away on the weekends from my midnight job. Unfortunately, I picked up the weekend shift this week, so I won’t be available in the morning.”
“Then brunch or lunch? Whichever you’d prefer.”
“You look like you got a stable of h”—She filtered herself for baby boy—“women falling at your feet. How do I know you don’t have someone at home?”
My Beauty’s a cusser. We’re going to have to change that.
“I wouldn’t be pursuing you if I had a lady.
I’m really trying to make you the First Lady.
Also, looks are deceiving. When I saw how beautiful you were, I didn’t assume you had a stable of niggas falling at your feet, even though it’s very much so possible.
I just thought you had one that gives you the world, and if he didn’t, I would make sure I handled that for him. ”
“Oooo, so you’re Mister Steal Yo’ Girl, huh?” She laughed.
“I don’t steal, shorty. In my opinion, if a man isn’t valuing his woman or trying to give her the world, then she’s not his to take.
I can guarantee if you’re not being loved right, you’ll seek it from somewhere else.
” I leaned forward to get closer so she could hear me. “That somewhere else would be with me.”
Her perfectly arched eyebrow raised, and that beautiful smirk remained when she asked, “And you’re so sure about that?”
I gave a curt nod. “I’m confident. Just agree to have lunch with me to prove it.” My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing the emergency text in my team’s group chat.
Jonathan:
The Wrights are ready for us now, sir.
Damn.
Me:
Head to the location. I’ll be there shortly.
“You look disappointed,” she voiced.
I smiled. “I am. Disappointed that I have to cut our date short. Duty calls.”
She smiled wide. “So this was a date?”
I chuckled. “Just a meet and greet.” I slipped her my phone. “Put your number in here for me.”
She took the phone from my hand, put her number inside, then handed it back to me. I grabbed her hand along with my phone and kissed the back of it.
“What time are you off tomorrow?” I asked, still holding on to her hand.
“Three.”
“I’ll text you at three thirty. We can meet, or I can come pick you up. Your choice.”
“I’ll meet you.”
“Cool. I’ll send you the location.” I released her hand and slipped out of the train while it was still moving and headed toward my people. I told them I had an emergency, bid them adieu, then headed toward my truck, anticipating seeing my future wife tomorrow.