CHAPTER FIFTY Denises Birthday
Denise turned sixty-eight on a Sunday and demanded a backyard dinner "with no foolishness."
In Denise language, that meant thirty people, two grills, matching tablecloths, a rented speaker, and enough food for a small wedding.
Maya arrived early to help.
"You brought him?" Denise asked, looking past her toward the driveway.
"Julian is parking. Try not to interrogate him.
""I don't interrogate.""You asked Tasha's fiance for his credit score.
""And now they're getting married. You're welcome.
"Julian survived Denise better than Maya expected.He complimented the food, helped move folding chairs, and let three small children commandeer his camera for supervised photographs of everyone's shoes.At sunset, Denise sat beside Maya on the porch.
"I like him."Maya smiled. "That was fast.""He doesn't look at the room while you're talking.
""What?""Some men look around while a woman talks, like they're checking whether something more interesting walked in.
He looks at you."Maya glanced across the yard.Julian was laughing with Tasha near the dessert table.
"We're taking it slow.""Good.""That surprises me.
"Denise gave her a look. "You think because I'm old I want you married by Tuesday?
""You asked Andre when he was proposing before I did.
"Her mother's face softened."Andre was a good man.
""He was.""And Jalen was your first love.
""He was."Denise reached for Maya's hand.
"Neither one has to be the final definition of love.
"Maya looked at her."You never told me that when I was younger.
""You wouldn't have listened."Maya laughed.
"Probably not."Denise squeezed her fingers.
"The heart wants what it wants. People say that like the heart is some wise old woman sitting on a mountain.
Half the time the heart is a toddler in a grocery store asking for candy before dinner.
"Maya burst out laughing."Mom.""I'm serious.
You listen to your heart. Then you bring your mind, your values, and your self-respect into the meeting.
Everybody gets a vote."Maya leaned her head on her mother's shoulder.
"That might be the smartest thing you've ever said.
""Don't sound surprised."Across the yard, Julian looked over and smiled at her.Maya smiled back.She did not know what they would become.For once, she did not need to know.