Page 41 of Solomon’s Temple

She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. “It’s progressing.”

“She’s being modest. We’ll be walking down the aisle real soon,” I told them.

“Okay, nephew. I hear ya.”

“Yeah, so, I’m going to go help the ladies in the kitchen. You need anything?”

“I’m cool, baby.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Temple hurried off, and I chuckled because I knew she didn’t want to admit that once we came back from this trip, her last name was about to change.

“You want a beer, man?” Marvin asked me.

“No thanks. I don’t drink.”

Steve pulled a joint from behind his ear. “You smoke?”

“Nah, I gave that up over a year ago.”

“Respect. Have a seat,” Marvin offered. We all sat at the table.

Steve looked over at me and smirked. “So, what you do for a living? You ain’t one of those drug-dealing entrepreneurs, are you?”

I chuckled. “Nah, I actually used to lock up those kinds of guys. I worked for the DPD for about four years before I almost lost my life and had to quit. I now own a security company and provide security for high-profile clients.”

I watched as both men nodded.

“Isn’t that the same kind of danger, though?”

“Eh. Different environments and atmospheres. I have seventeen employees, so I don’t have to get in the field unless I have to.”

Steve nodded. “I see. You don’t give me square vibes, but I can tell you’re a little reserved. I’ve known Temp since she was thirteen, and she brought nobody by to meet us. What you did to my niece?”

“I only told her what my plans are for us and allowed her to choose to stay or leave. I understand our lifestyles are different. I seek refuge in God, and Temple is a worldly woman, who I hope finds refuge in me.

“As I told her, I’m not perfect, but every day I strive to become a better man. I’m also seeking a wife, and I believe Temple will become that virtuous woman for me.”

Silence hung in the air for a moment before Steve grinned and said, “You just might be what she needs. I can already tell you’re doing something right if she brought you to meet the family.”

“She knows what it is with me.” The three of us shared a laugh just as the women brought out the food.

Once the ribs were done, we all sat around the table and said grace over baked turkey chops, fried cabbage, ribs, Cajun corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, dressing, yams, dinner rolls, and funnel cake.

I tried the dressing first and almost jumped out of my seat to praise dance.

“Mama Lula, this dressing is probably the best I’d ever tasted. I thought my moms was the best, but clearly, you have her beat.”

Ma Lula smiled wide. “Actually, Beanie prepped the dressing yesterday. I just put it in the oven.”

“Oh. Beautiful, smart, ambitious, and can cook? I’m gon’ need my own personal pan of this, baby. I thought you stole my heart at first sight, but we locked in for real now.”

Everyone laughed while Beauty fought a blush.

“Look at her, Ma Lu. She been cheesing something crazy since she got here,” Toni teased.

“Be quiet, heffa,” Beauty said, tossing a piece of bread at her from across the table.

“Hey, don’t y’all start tossing my food around. Groceries way too high to be wasting it,” Ma Lula fussed, then her eyes came to Beauty and me. “I want to share something with you both. My mother used to have these dreams about people, and I always thought she was crazy. Back then, we used to live on a reserve in El Paso, Texas. We’d sit outside every other night, and she and my father would tell us stories about our heritage and the dreams they had.