6. Temple
One Week Later
“Where the hell have you been?” was the first thing Toni asked me when I stepped inside our grandmother’s home. We were having our weekly Sunday dinner. I had missed last week because I needed to catch up on my rest and laundry, so I hadn’t been to see them or my Lula Mae since Wednesday last week.
“Girl,” I said, stepping inside and giving her a hug. “You could say hi before you start asking me my business.” I giggled and released her.
“Hi. Now, where the hell have you been?”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes playfully. “At home. I needed a mental health week from everything that’s been going on in my life. How’s Ma Lula?”
“Same. Still talking mess and ’bout ready to put an APB out on you.”
“Oh goodness. Where is she?”
“In the den.”
“Okay. Let me go face the music.”
“Aht, aht,” she said, stopping me from going further. “Answer my question.”
“I did answer your question.”
“Trick, please. Don’t give me that mental health break bullshit. The last time me and Phire talked to you, you were going to lunch with that sexy-ass nigga from the club. The one who tossed ya ass over his shoulder.”
My mouth twisted, trying to keep myself from smiling or blushing.
It was crazy that after our lunch date, I was receiving flowers with cute notes or scriptures.
Text messages telling me ‘good morning,’ checking on me, and ‘goodnight, beautiful.’ I’d never been one to be swayed by words, but Solomon had a way of drawing me to him without me even noticing that I was being sucked into his realm.
“I’ll tell you about that later, Sis. Just let me go see this lady before she has a heart attack.”
“Yeah, okay, ho. I’m on yo’ ass. Just know that.”
I laughed and moved toward the back of the house to see my grandmother. Once I made it to the entrance of the den, I poked my head inside and saw Lula Mae and Sapphire talking with their backs to me.
“Come on in here, Houdini. Don’t be trying to hide.”
I smiled wide and stepped inside the room. Sapphire stood behind her while Ma Lula sat in the chair getting her famous two braids put in.
My Lula Mae was beautiful.
She had long silver hair that fell down to her backside.
Her deep, rich caramel skin only had one or two wrinkles, but her face still looked youthful.
At seventy-three, she still had her original teeth, a nice body, and kept herself up.
The only problem was her failing health.
I always thought since she was of Indian descent that she knew some sort of healing magic to keep her healthy.
That proved to be false.
Because now I was swinging from a pole and working with children with autism to make sure she stayed here with us.
“Heyyy, Ma Lula. I missed you!” I walked over and kissed her on her cheek.
“Mm-hmm. You missed me but ain't been to see me in a week.”
“Because she being fast, Ma Lu,” Toni’s loudmouthed ass revealed.
I playfully snarled at her. “Snitch.”
“Fast with who? It bet not be that obsessed negro you brought to my house last month.”
“Ugh, no. I never invited him here. His tacky behind followed me.”
“I know if he shows up here again, he gonna know something.”
My brows dipped. “He’s been here?”
“Came by a few days ago looking for ya.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I thought you knew, Beanie. Heck, I ain't talked to you since last Sunday dinner.”
I shook my head. I was going to fuck Nate’s retarded ass up.
“If he does it again, you call me. Please?”
“I will. Right after I put a bullet in his behind.”
We all laughed. One thing I knew about Ma Lula was she would indeed shoot first and ask questions later.
“What’s on the menu today?” I asked Ma Lula.
“Baked chicken, black-eyed peas, macaroni, greens, and cornbread. Oh, and a nice salad for me.”
“Mmm, I can't wait. I'll cook the mac and greens.”
“I got the peas,” Phire said.
Toni huffed. “So I guess that leaves me with the chicken and cornbread.”
“No!” Ma Lula, Phire, and I exclaimed. Toni knew better. Her ass was only good at making cornbread and Kool-Aid.
“I got the chicken, baby,” Ma Lula said, patting Toni’s hand.
Toni sucked her teeth. “Whatever. That’s messed up.”
We laughed.
“Okay, now stop deflecting, Temp. Tell us about that Adonis that slung you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes,” Phire said.
“Toni, you talk too much,” I told her, taking a seat on the recliner.
“What? You act like we don't tell each other the tea. I was just shocked because you never mentioned seeing anyone to us.”
“I'm not seeing anyone.”
“Then why’d you call me to help you dress for a date? Which you never went on, might I add.”
My head fell back against the recliner. I knew they weren't going to stop until I told them everything.
“I met him at the fundraiser at Northwest Care. I think him and his parents go to Ma Lu’s church, because Pastor Daniels was there. Anyway, we only talked briefly and exchanged numbers. That’s why I called Phire to help me get ready. I'll explain why later.
“Then he was at the club that night. He owns a security company and was there to protect Kema P. and her husband. I didn't expect to see him there, but when he saw me dancing for my regulars, he snatched me up, saying he didn't like seeing me dancing or whatnot.
“I then told him I ain't the woman for you, but then he shows up to my day job with flowers, asking me to lunch. I accepted, we talked, and even after I told him it’d be our last date, he still wants to pursue me. I'm probably not going to go out with him again, though.”
“Why not?” Toni asked.
“Because we are not on the same page. He wants a holy wife, and I'm far from being holy.”
“Well, what's wrong with being holy? It's time you get out of that club, Beanie. I hate that y'all are working in that place.”
“Who’s going to help you with your co-pays and surgeries if we don't?” Toni asked.
“Don't start that mess. I done told y’all I'm not getting no surgery. The medicine is helping enough. I eat better and do water aerobics. I don't need y’all overextending yourselves for me. If the good Lord calls me home, then neither one of y’all gon’ be able to stop what He has planned.”
I hated when she talked like that. It sent a pang through my heart that I couldn't accept. I'd already lost my mom. I’d probably jump off the bridge if I lost her too.
“I hate when you say things like that, Ma Lula,” I confessed.
“I'm speaking the truth, baby. You know I don't sugarcoat anything when it comes to life and the lessons it gives. One thing you gotta know is that you are not the author or the finisher of this life. I gave y’all the tools you need to live without me when it's time.
“Don't refuse love if it's pure and genuine. If that man still wants to date you, even after knowing how you are and what you do, then he must see something in you that's drawing you to him. What's his name?”
“Solomon.”
“Solomon Matthews?”
“I guess. I never asked his last name.”
“I’m sure it's him. He only came to the church a handful of times, so I know who he is. Very respectful and donates a lot of money to the church. His parents are a little nosy, but they are good people, from what I know. Go out with him, Beanie. I know you're guarded, but you’re going to need someone when you can no longer use me as a crutch.”
“I don't use you as a crutch. What's wrong with showing up for you when you showed up for me when I needed you?” I asked.
“I don't need no favors, baby. I did what I did because I love you. Me and my daughter may not have had the best relationship, but I loved her dearly. I didn't care what I had to do to find you; I made sure I never gave up.
“I lost my baby, and I'll never get to tell her how much I loved her, even when she was a stubborn mule. But you are my second chance. It's why I pour so much into you, because I never want you to feel the void I felt of losing her.
“Y’all are my babies, and I'll always encourage you all to be the greatest at whatever you choose to do. Stripping included,” she said, rolling her eyes.
I smirked a little and shook my head. “I don't get naked, Ma Lula. I just give them illusions.”
“And that's why that boy keep sniffin’ up yo’ tail. He want to see the real thing, not a dream!”
Toni and Sapphire laughed while I put my face in my hands to hide my amusement. I would never tell her that his tacky ass had already seen the real thing. If he didn't help pay my credit card bills and my car note, I would have tossed his ass to the curb a long time ago.
“She ain't wrong.” Sapphire laughed.
“So what you gon’ do, Sis? You giving Pastor Mike Jr. a chance or nah?” Toni queried, smiling at me.
I stuck my middle finger up at her. “If he knows what's good for him, he’d stay away from me. I’ll have him praying for the pu—I mean, praying for me to let him loose.”
The three of us laughed while Ma Lula shook her head. “Careful. He may be the one to have you praying to the heavens.”
As if he’d heard us talking about him, my phone rang as his number danced across the screen.
“Speak of the angel,” I said, standing and walking out of the room. I could hear them telling me not to leave, but I refused to let them embarrass me in the background.
“Hello?” I answered while stepping outside on the porch.
“Good afternoon, Beauty. How’s your day going?”
“It’s . . . going. How's yours?”
“It has actually been smooth. Got a new contract in, this quarter's numbers are looking good, and I get to hear your beautiful voice. I'd say it’s been a beautiful day.”
I smiled. “It's an early day for you. Aren't you supposed to be at church?”
He chuckled. “I don't go to church.”
“How does that work if you're trying to live right? Don't you have to get the word from the man of God?”
“I listen virtually every Sunday morning. I don't need a building to hear the word, mamas. My home is my synagogue.”
A smile spread across my face, and I bit my bottom lip. “I like when you call me mamas. Say it again.” I purred.
“Yo, chill.”
“Why? You should want to please the woman you're pursuing, no?”
“There are many other ways to please, baby. I see you're trying to make me backslide.”
“No, just make my back slide against the wall while you fu—”
“Temple, please,” he groaned, cutting me off.
I laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop, but I told you this may not be what you want.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Your dirty talk won't scare me away that easily. Once I lock you down, I'm going to make you back up everything you say.”
“Keep praying on it. We’ll see if God favors you enough to be the one to take me off the market.”
“I want to take you out on a real date.”
“Where?”
“It’s a surprise. Just tell me if you're down to ride or not.”
I looked out into the distance, deep in thought. Ma Lula’s words about needing someone when I could no longer have her anymore sat with me. The only thing I was skeptical about was if Solomon would be the person I needed.
“You're not going to stop, are you?”
“I already told you I'm not. I know deep down you're really feeling me, but you want to make me work for it. As I stated before, I'm up for the challenge.”
I sighed. “Fine. What day and time should I be ready?”
“Tomorrow at noon. We have a little ways to go, so we need to get an early start.”
“Wait. I have to work tomorrow, and what do you mean a ways to go?”
“No questions, and don't worry about work. It'll be handled. All I want you to do is agree, sit back, and put your trust in your future husband. Can you do that?”
“If I get fired, I'm gon’ make you wish you never met me.”
He laughed. “Your threats don't scare me. Be ready tomorrow at noon. Enjoy the rest of your day, my love.”
“Yeah, . . . you too.”
We hung up, and I sat out on the porch, looking at my blank phone. I didn't know what I was getting myself into with this man, but he certainly had me intrigued.
When I stood up to go back inside, Phire and Toni hurriedly scattered away from the door.
“Y’all are so childish.” We laughed as I went back inside, feeling curious about my date with the holy, caramel Adonis.