Page 42 of Solomon’s Temple

“Isha, that’s my mother’s name, told me one night that I would lose someone but gain someone who would heal my broken heart. I was only ten then, so I didn’t understand what she meant until I got older and lost my oldest daughter, Nicole. We were estranged because she’d run off with some clown that her father and I knew was no good for her.

“But I never stopped believing she would come back to me. I never told anyone, but I was the last person she called before she passed. I don’t know how I missed her call, but her voicemail would forever stick with me.”

Everyone at the table grew silent, and my eyes immediately went to Beauty. I could see a hint of solemnity on her face and interlocked my fingers with hers. She looked at me and gave me a soft smile while I kissed the back of her hand to assure her that I was there to catch her if she fell apart.

“What did she say?” Aunt Tasha asked.

“She told me she’d just had her baby girl and named her Temple Jael Newman and wanted me to come to California to see her. Back then, I worked two jobs after my husband injured himself, and I had to care for him. We didn’t have a lot of money then, so I tried calling for weeks, but never got an answer. I thought it was strange, but I didn’t dwell on it.

“Then finally, I was able to get up enough money to fly down to LA because I knew something was off. When I got to her apartment, the landlord informed me that she’d passed away. I went to the hospital, and because her body had been in the morgue for months, they had her cremated and wouldn’t give me any information about where my Beanie was.

“For years, I looked high and low for her, prayed to God to bring my granddaughter home to me, until finally I got a breakthrough. A social worker in California was sympathetic to my plight and told me the last known address, and I praised His Holy name that she did.

“I said all of that because my mother visited me in my dreams when Temple turned sixteen. She told me that she would go through trials and tribulations throughout her life, but someone with great strength would come into her life and rescue her. That they would love her back to where she needed to be. She never said who, but I know now that it’s you, Solomon.”

A smile lifted on my face, and I nodded in response.

“My Beanie can be a little stubborn, but continue to work with her. God knew what He had planned the moment you walked into her life.”

“I believe that, and I won’t let you down, Ma Lu.”

Toni giggled from across the table. “All I know is, Temp can put up a front if she wants, but me and Phire know the truth.”

“And do!” Sapphire added. “All I gotta say is treat her right, and don’t ghost her again or you gon’ know something.”

“I got you, sis-in-law. I’m standing on big business behind my shorty. I know it’s early, but I feel like God placed her in my path for a reason. I don’t know what that reason is, but I’m making a promise to the Big Homie and to Temple that I’m going to take good care of her.”

Temple leaned into me. “You don’t have to promise these nosy heffas nothing. As long as you have a little patience, we’ll see how far we can go.”

“I’m on you, baby. I ain’t letting up for nothing. Pressure builds diamonds, and I’m putting them right on ya pretty little finger.”

She smiled bashfully as I kissed her forehead. The day made way to the night with laughs, good food, and conversation until Temple and I left with full bellies.

This road to securing a wife was different for me as much as her dating someone like me was for her. If I had to hold out until she became my wife, then I knew I’d have to put on the whole armor of God to stop myself from taking her down.

I prayed the Big Homie wouldn’t let me down.

The water rolled and waved, crashing against the shore of the Amalfi Coast and sparkled under the setting sun. The only word I could use to describe this setting was—magical.

I had never seen anything like it.

I’d never been anywhere outside of the USA, and seeing a place I’d always wanted to visit in real time had me in total disbelief.

Three days after having dinner with my family, Solomon made sure he kept his promise and brought me to Milan. Since I didn’t have a passport, Solomon paid to have it expedited. It took seventy-two hours for it to arrive before we boarded a private jet and flew nine hours across the country.

My mind was reeling from a feeling I couldn’t explain. I was both nervous and excited, but most of all grateful for Solomon’s generosity.

While he was inside taking business calls, I sat out on the terrace of the Venetian home with a glass of champagne and strawberries, marveling over the picturesque views.

I picked up my phone from the table beside me and FaceTimed our sister group chat as promised.

Neither one of them let the call get a full ring before their faces popped up on the screen.

“Well damn. Did y’all have y’all phones in your hands, waiting for me to call?” I chuckled.

“And did!” Sapphire exclaimed, and we all laughed.

“What time is it there?” Toni asked.