11. Solomon
Anger burned inside of me, and I knew feeling this way was no good for me.
Beauty was no good for me.
That I knew.
I had to calm down because, clearly, Beauty thought I was a game to play with.
Those days of her entertaining other men were over now that I tossed my hat in the ring.
I was wrong. I could admit that, but I needed that time to get my emotions in check and repent for what I’d done in her name and honor.
There was a better way to handle that situation, and I had enough time to think before I reacted.
Even though he deserved everything I did to him, it wasn’t my place to deliver his karma.
During my meditation and prayer over the past two weeks, I couldn’t shake thoughts of her for nothing. She was the one I would wed. There was no doubt in my mind about it.
Once we made it to my truck, Beauty waited for me to open the door, but I needed to get some things straight and in order with her first.
I cleared my mind of what occurred in the mall and released the anger inside of me.
My hand went to her hip, and I pulled her in front of the passenger’s door. I slid my palms in my pockets and sighed deeply.
“You make me act out, and that’s not good, Temp. Since I met you, I knew that I wanted you. Even after our conversation at Sweet Soul, when you warned me that you were no good for me, I had already made up my mind that you were mine.
“I’m still up for the challenge because the Big Homie gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers. Nonetheless, I’m starting to feel as though you may not understand nor want to try this with me.”
Her head swayed from left to right slowly. “You keep saying how you’re a work in progress; well, so am I. Instead of you talking to me about your conflicts, you ran off and ghosted me. How can you look at me as your potential wife if you’re not giving me anything to believe that promise?”
I nodded. “What I did was wrong. I’ll admit that, but after what I did to your ex-boss, I talked with my pastor.
I needed guidance and clarity on how to go about this with you.
Nobody’s perfect, baby. We sin and fall short of His glory every day, but the only issue with that is when it becomes repetitive after repentance.
“I had no intentions of putting my hands on that man in there for real. I just wanted you to get rid of him before I got to you, because I knew there would be two options. Either he walked away willingly, or I was going to have to use force, and you see how that turned out.”
“I wouldn’t have been with him if you hadn’t left, Solomon. I was not going to sit around waiting on you. You made me feel like that little girl who sat in her foster mother’s window, praying that her dad would show up to get her.
“This is why I said I don’t believe in fairy tales. It’s all an illusion and false hope when it comes down to believing your knight is coming to rescue you from the dragon’s tower.”
I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes and could tell my absence hit harder than she let on.
My beauty had abandonment issues, and I felt messed up for putting her through that.
I stepped closer to her, placing my palms on her cheeks, running my thumbs under her eyes to clear the tears I could tell she was desperately trying to hold back.
“Your knight is standing right here, baby. I promise not to go silent on you again. You’re right. I should have communicated with you better, and I'm going to fix that. Will you forgive me and give me another chance? If I screw this up, I’ll let you walk away.”
Her palms slid up my chest, and she placed her forehead on mine.
“I don’t know how this is going to work with us, but I’m willing to try for you. I’m not perfect—”
“I don’t need perfection, just progress, Beauty. We can do this together if you just follow my lead. I promise to never steer you wrong.”
She nodded lightly. “There’s only one thing you have to do to solidify this.”
“What’s that?”
She lifted her head, fighting back the smile that threatened to break through. “You have to seal it with a kiss.”
Amusement rested on my face as I roved my tongue over my teeth to hide it.
This woman. I know once I get her to my secret bedroom, I’m turning up in that . . .
I shook the impure thoughts of her from my head. “I’ll make you a deal. Once we get settled at our destination, I’ll consider it.”
She playfully pouted and rolled her eyes. “Fine. Where are we going again?”
I opened the door for her. “Didn’t you say something about shopping in Milan? I hope you didn’t think that man would really take you across the country to shop, did you?”
“I-I didn’t. I was only joshing with him, but I didn’t think you would either.”
“You’re going to learn quick that I don’t talk just because I have a voice, mamas.”
Her lips turned up into that mischievous grin again.
“See. There you go, sex-baiting me.”
I laughed. “Get in the car, woman.”
“Okay, wait. I can’t just go on a trip across the country with you until you’ve officially met my sisters and Ma Lula. They will kill me if I just ran off with you and don’t see them before I leave.”
“Make it happen, love. I’m available whenever they are.”
She nodded and got inside the car.
For the past two weeks, I was able to gain some insight on how to proceed in my pursuit with Temple. God showed me that I had to be mindful of the things I said and did around her and feed her spiritual man to help guide her back to Him.
In her case, I had to guide her back to the side of righteousness. If meeting her people was what she wanted, I had no problem obliging her.
It had been long overdue.
After her grandmother confirmed dinner, we made it across town an hour later due to the heavy traffic on the freeway.
Her grandmother resided in Rosedale Park in a beautiful two-story home, and I could tell whoever her landscaper was had a niche.
Her grass seemed to be the greenest on the block with beautiful flowers surrounding the front of the home.
“Ready?” I asked her.
“Yeah . . . I’ve never done this before.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never brought anyone to meet my family, so I’m sure they’re going to show their entire a—behinds. Not so much Ma Lula, but my sisters are a different story.”
I chuckled. “I can handle your sisters, baby.”
“It’s not going to be about you. They know I don’t bring people to meet them, so they’re going to do the damn most.”
“I got your back. Come on so I can meet my in-laws.”
Her left cheek lifted into a half smile. I stepped out of the truck, walked around to her side, and helped her out.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look in this dress?” My eyes scanned her from head to toe.
“You didn’t.”
“You look like you’re ready to be my wife,” I told her, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.
“Let’s get through the meet and greets first.”
I smiled, but my thoughts instantly went to my parents. I wasn’t ready for them to meet Temple. I could already see the judgment in Urina’s eyes and the uncertainty in Dorian’s. The only upside about her meeting them was that I could tell Temple wouldn’t fold easily.
My parents might have apologized for their behavior, but I wasn’t fully convinced they had changed.
Before we could make it to the door, it swung open, and a tall, thick woman appeared with a bright smile on her face. Her beautiful golden locs hung down her back, skin just as golden as her hair, and eyes soft and warm.
“Aunt Tasha.” Temple rushed up the stairs into her arms.
Aunt Tasha held her tight. “My favorite girl.”
“When did you get back?”
“Early this morning. I was going to come to your house this evening and surprise you, but Mama and the girls told me you were bringing someone home, and I just had to come see this.” Her eyes came to me. “Hello. I’m Temple’s aunt, Natasha.” She held out her palm, and I took it with a smile.
“Solomon Matthews, Temple’s soon-to-be husband. It’s lovely to meet you, auntie.”
“Oh!” Aunt Tasha giggled. “Not you manifesting marriage. I like you already, and you fine.”
I laughed.
Temple blushed. “Auntie, please.”
“And you’re blushing? Yeah, come on in here. Mama and the girls ain’t going to believe this.” Aunt Tasha turned and went back into the house.
“I told you,” Temple whispered to me as she took my hand and we followed her aunt inside.
I could tell from the warmth in the home, the brown, cream, and white decor, that it had been lived in for many years. The extreme amount of photos hanging on the wall told stories of joy, laughter, and some pain.
Beautiful plants sat atop glossy wood tables with small trinkets on the fireplace mantle.
“We’re in the kitchen. Your uncle Steve went to grab some ice from the basement,” Aunt Tasha told us while leading us into the kitchen. The aroma that attacked my senses had my mouth watering and remembering I hadn’t eaten since breakfast this morning.
When we stepped inside the kitchen, I noticed two women standing at the long kitchen island, cutting up yams, onions, and peppers. They, too, favored my Beauty in some kind of way.
“It’s about time y’all made it!” the shortest one in the kitchen exclaimed, walking over to Temple. She hugged her, then looked up at me with a smile.
“Solomon, this is my sister, Antonia, but we call her Toni.”
“Hello, Solomon. Nice to finally meet you.” A ghost of a smile rested on her lips.
“Same to you.”
“And this is my other sister, Sapphire.” Sapphire was much taller, seemingly taking after her mother in height, looks, and build. While they all looked alike, she was certainly her mother’s twin. She wiped her hands on her apron, then held it out to me.
“Glad to finally see the man my sister has been raving about.”
Temple rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”
Sapphire laughed as I shook her hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Sapphire.”
“Where’s Ma Lula?” Temple queried.