19. Solomon #2
“Jessica Murray . . . that young lady’s mother was a good friend of mine and your mother’s.
She saw you two around often and knew if you were hanging with her daughter, then nothing good would come from it.
She told me, not your mother, thank God, that Rosaria was into a lot of things like scamming, prostitution, and sticking people up.
“I actually told her off because, in my eyes, you were too good of a kid to be caught up in anything concerning that girl. That’s when she brought me proof.”
My nostrils flared. I didn’t like where this conversation was headed. I didn’t know if I was upset because he had proof or upset that he knew and never said anything.
“What kind of proof?”
“She had a hidden camera installed in Rosie’s house.” His eyes closed tight, and his head shook, seemingly trying to shake off the memories. “I only skimmed through the videos, but my God, I wish she’d never shown me that.”
“Why have you never said anything, Dorian? Why now?”
“Because I knew if I tried to stop you, you’d rebel, and I’d lose you.
Also, I didn’t want your mother to know anything about what I knew.
She could sniff my omissions from a mile away.
So, I destroyed the tape and acted as if I’d never seen it.
When you had that phase of drinking and sexing different women, I knew it was because of her that you had become that person.
“You fell in love with her, then tried to disguise it by being in a relationship with Shereece. When that didn’t work out as you had planned, you went on a sex binge.
When you told me you couldn’t stop, I knew the enemy had a hold on you, and all I could do for you was pray for you because you wouldn’t listen to me. ”
I let out a heavy sigh. “So now what? You said all of this to say what? I’m not that guy anymore, Dorian.”
He sat up, placing his elbows on his knees.
“I said all of this to say I know where you’ve been and where you are now.
I want you to know that I’m greatly proud of you for all of your accomplishments.
Including making Temple your wife.” He sniffed away his emotion and looked at us.
“I admit I was a bit shocked when Shereece revealed she was a—dancer, but since I know you didn’t meet her in the dance club, it was easy for me to understand why you were attracted to her long before seeing her naked. ”
“I don’t—didn’t get naked, Mr. Matthews.”
“So what if you did? It’s none of his business either way,” I said.
“Baby. Don’t be rude,” Temple said, rubbing my knee. “I told you I actually like your dad. I am curious about something, though. My question is not to be rude, but why did you come by here when your son has a phone? You could have said this the last time he spoke to you.”
“I left my wife, Temple.” I looked at him as sorrow filled his eyes.
“Not for good, but what she did, and the way she acts anytime Solomon invites someone new into his life, angers me. She doesn’t get that he’s a grown man now, and made it clear after you all left that she would never accept you, knowing what you do as your profession—”
Temple spoke up. “I don’t dance anymore, and it wasn’t a profession; it was a hobby and a choice I had been forced to make.”
My father nodded. “That’s good. Even if you did, it’s none of my business.
I told my wife that until she minds her business and accepts you as her daughter-in-law, I won’t be back.
She’s been calling me for the past two weeks, but I’ve been ignoring her calls.
Solomon is our son, and we should support him no matter what he chooses to do with his life. ”
He poured himself another glass.
“Where you been staying?” I asked.
“The Westin.”
I stood, took the glass from him, and swiped the bottle from the table.
“I appreciate you for stopping by and for keeping my secrets. I believe you when you say you’re supportive of us, and from that alone, I’m inviting you to the wedding in two weeks.”
“Wedding? But I thou—”
“We want our family and friends to witness our union,” Temple replied, cutting him off. She stood, walked around the table, and took a seat next to him. She then grabbed his hand and smiled at him.
“I want you there. I can tell you love your son. Hell, you kept his secrets even when he had no clue you knew. Even when you could have judged and shamed him, you didn’t.
” I could see her eyes glisten as she looked him in the eyes.
“As I shared with you at your home, I never knew my parents. So, I want to ask if you’d do me the honor of walking me down the aisle to your son? ”
A smile lifted on his face as he swiped at his eyes. “I know the reason my son stays away more than he comes. We did tend to pry a lot, but that was because he was so secretive.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “Thank you for asking. I’d be honored.”
Temple smiled and hugged him. “Thank you. The colors are white and black. Simple and classic.”
“Perfection,” he replied.
I looked down at him. “Go home, old man. Your wife may do too much, but that’s the woman you vowed your life to.
Just because she pissed you off doesn’t mean you can’t talk some sense into her.
I love y’all. That’s no question. But I love me more, and before I let her disrespect my wife, I’ll cut the cancer before it spreads. ”
My father stood and gave me a curt nod. “I love you, Son. Always.”
“I love you too.” I gave him a hug, then saw him to the door. Once it closed, I went to pour the liquor down the drain just as Temple wrapped her arms around my waist.
“I love you.”
I smiled and turned to her. “I love you more, my love.” I kissed her lips.
“I’m hungry.”
“You know I got you, baby. What do you have a taste for?”
A salacious smirk spread across her face as she slowly dropped down on her haunches, dragging my pajama bottoms with her along the way. My teeth sank into my bottom lip and head fell back as she took me into her wet, warm mouth.
I swear I could never get tired of this.