by Taylor Love
“We’ll see,” Ben just chuckled. “We’ll see.
TAMARA WAS NERVOUS as she approached the last twenty miles to Ben’s house the first weekend in April. While she had told the truth about being excited to visit him, Ben had upped the ante saying he planned a dinner on Saturday with his dad. That she wasn't so excited about. It wasn't that she didn’t want to meet the man, but other people's family could be challenging to deal with. Telling herself to get a grip, she pushed the unease away. She dealt with criminals and deadbeats for a living, not to mention the inflated egos of lawyers and judges. Tamara could deal with one man, besides someone like Ben couldn’t have come from people who were extra bad...right?
But this was going to be a new experience, taking their relationship from the comfort of her world to his. A person’s home, friends and even family could tell you a lot about them. But fair was fair. A couple weeks after the whole car fiasco, she and Ben had cooked dinner for everyone from the office. The girls had finally gotten a chance to pepper him with questions and see what kind of person he was.
Tamara had once again gotten to see his full charm on display, as he held court with three nosy women. Jessica was the worse, asking veiled and sometimes intrusive questions. Somehow, he’d even won her over before they’d gotten to the dessert. With the ice broken they had proceeded to tell the man every single embarrassing story from college. Overall they all seemed to like him. Tia had been making moon eyes at the man by the time he walked everyone to their car. Ben had also taken them all out for dinner another time when he’d gotten into town early one Friday.
He even had a brief conversation with both her sister and brother. Her sister had known they were an item, and sometime in January had asked to speak to him when she called. Tamara was always the one who called her brother, doing her quarterly check on him. Between her and her sister, they made sure someone actually heard his voice every couple of months.
When Travis heard Ben ask her something in the background, Tamara had to recap her dating life to him. Her brother rarely questioned her about it and she rarely volunteered anything. Not that there had been much to say before now. The two men ended up talking for over thirty minutes! She’d had to snatch the phone back. So yeah, it was time for Tamara to dip her toe into the pool that was Benjamin Thompson’s life.
PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, Tamara found herself in front of a two-story brick and stone home. The neighborhood looked fairly spread out and even though his home was big, it was dwarfed by the other houses around it. She admired the high stone arch leading to the door before popping her trunk and getting out. Tamara barely made it to the back before Ben came out, a huge grin splitting his handsome face.
“I’ll get your bags. I’m glad you made it safely!”
“Me too! It was a really good drive actually.”
She had left the office at three and even with Friday traffic it had only taken her an hour and forty-five minutes. Tamara readily returned his hug and kiss, damn what the neighbors might think. Ben took her things inside and she complimented him on the vaulted ceilings and open lay out.
They started with a tour of the upstairs since he deposited her things in his bedroom. The room was spacious and large even with the King size bed taking up space. She was looking forward to having fun in that. Then he showed her the other three bedrooms which were housed upstairs. From the looks of it, he kept them all as extra bedrooms.
Downstairs was an open layout of the living room and kitchen. She loved his space and countertops in the latter! He used the small library downstairs as his home office. His fully finished basement had more relaxed furnishings, though it was still decked out like something from a magazine. Ben said a staging friend had helped him decorate when he moved in five years ago. Of course, he’d gotten the house for a steal after a foreclosure.
After the tour, she took a quick shower and changed into more casual clothes, while he put her car up and started on dinner. She joined him and they finished cooking together around his impressive kitchen. Tamara knew he was actually a pretty good cook. Even though he enjoyed it, like her he just never had enough time. They sipped wine as they worked, joking around while catching up. Their weeks had been hectic, and they hadn’t had much time to talk. Plus, she’d been determined to shore things up before she left. It seemed she’d been successful as she was having no problem relaxing in his home.
This fact truly surprised her. Tamara had expected to be a little off kilter, but she wasn’t. Instead she felt happy and comfortable as she watched him plate the chicken parmesan and pasta he’d cooked. She’d been in charge of a garden salad, heavy on the veggies and rolls. They took everything down into the basement and kicked their feet up. Spending most of the night snuggling on his large sectional watching movies. They didn’t call it a night until after eleven.
When Saturday dawned, he took her to his favorite breakfast place before he honored her wish to go to the Kentucky Derby Museum. A little after one they took a short trip to the waterfront park. The weather was only in the mid-sixties, but the sun was shining so it wasn’t chilly once you added a jacket. Afterwards, they went grocery shopping for dinner with his dad.
That’s where she found out he had invited more than just his father! His uncle, cousin and his cousin’s fiancée would be there as well. Ben had actually talked about the former two family members quite a bit, his father not so much. She had a feeling the two didn’t get along well. She had never pressed, as God knew she had her own dysfunction when it came to the parents department. Either way, she’d get to judge for herself tonight.
BEN’S COUSIN ERIC AND his bride to be Felicia showed up first. Eric was a couple years younger than Ben and it was clear right away the two were close. Tamara poured the couple some wine and the two loitered around the kitchen as she and Ben put the finishing touches on dinner. Conversation flowed easily and Tamara immediately liked the couple. The love between the two fairly radiating from the pair. She could admit, she felt more at ease knowing these two were here.
Felicia was helping her put the food on the table when the door buzzed. As Ben went to answer it, Tamara straightened up and ran a hand over her hair. Felicia noticed and grinned.
“Don’t worry, they're both very nice.”
“I hope so.” Tamara gave her a nervous smile.
When all four men came into the dining room it was easy to see the resemblance. While Eric and his father were a shade or so lighter than Ben and his, they all shared similar heights and had the exact same nose and lips. Outside of that, the two older men had vastly different styles. Ben’s dad had on a well fitted day suit but had forgone the tie, while his brother had on a nice pair of pants and dress shirt. Much more relaxed and in line for a family dinner, which meant four extremely handsome black men stood before her.
“Dad, I want you to meet my girlfriend Tamara Reed. Tamara, this is my father Earl Thompson and my uncle Joseph Thompson.
“It’s very nice to meet you, just call me Joe.” Joe shook her hand heartily then moved on to the table with his son.
“So, you’re the woman that has my son running up and down the highway.” Earl said giving her hand a tepid shake.
Tamara’s smile died midway. “I suppose that’s accurate.” She said slowly.
“Pops...” Benjamin said tightly.
“I didn’t mean no harm, was just making a statement. Ms. Reed...it’s good we’re finally getting to meet you.”
Tamara nodded, figuring she would let that dig slide, turning to address Ben instead.
“Well...dinner is all set. What do you say we eat?”
Chapter Fifteen
TAMARA PASSED THE WINE left after pouring herself a very liberal glass. Joe preferred a beer and Tamara saw Earl frown at his brother, as Ben went to fetch one. Apparently Ben’s father was disapproving of other people besides her. Even so, it didn’t make her feel better about his barely veiled censure towards her.
Dinner was a hearty meat lasagna, stuffed vegetaria
n peppers, a ceasar salad and of course some garlic bread. A simple home cooked meal for friends and family. As they started eating, Eric and Ben dominated the conversation. With everyone else adding a tad bit here and there. Thirty minutes into dinner and Tamara was starting to relax again—until Ben’s father started to pepper her with questions.
“Ms. Reed, Ben told us you’re a lawyer. What do you practice?”
Tamara wiped her mouth then answered.
“Well, that’s a slightly complicated answer. I’m one of three owners of a small law firm, so we all practice a number of specialties. My main one is divorce though.”
“Ahh, so I know where to go if this one ever acts up.” Felicia joked, poking Eric in the side.
“That’s no joking matter.” Earl snapped before turning his gaze back to Tamara. “So, you help break up happy homes.”
“Sir, by the time someone gets to my office the home hasn’t been “happy” for years and sometimes decades. I do my job and help parties leave a bad situation or help them protect what they have, so they won’t be devastated by the split.”
“Divorce hurts kids. They need a two-parent home! Folks don’t know the meaning of loyalty nowadays. Too quick to call it quits. Never satisfied no matter what they have.”
“Pops, give it a rest.” Ben said harshly.
He was gripping his wine glass so hard Tamara thought it would break. His jaw tight, a clear clue that she should let it drop. But Tamara had let the jab at the door go, and one pass was enough.
“No, no Ben. Your father has the right to his opinion. My opinion, the one that I garnered as the person working with the spouses, means I have to disagree with you. The opinion I gained from hearing and seeing the damage that ‘staying together for the kids’ does. Leads me to believe kids are often better off without parents that are extremely unhappy or outright hate each other.
Kids are not stupid. They can feel, see and hear the dysfunction around them. Their parents’ relationship is the first example they have in life, and watching abuse whether it be verbal, mental or physical ups the odds of them repeating the same behaviors as adults. But if you think it’s better to have those same messed up adults be able to say they had a two-parent home, instead of seeing their mother or father happy, well you have the right to your opinion.”
As silence descended Tamara turned her gaze back to her plate and restarted eating. She had a feeling her eyes would show she was still pissed. Ben squeezed her thigh in a show of support under the table. And after what felt like forever, Eric asked her how her firm came to be. She readily switched topics. They went another fifteen minutes without any incidents while covering a number of things.
“Ben, this dinner was excellent son. Good job.”
“Thanks. Tamara and I made it together.”
Earl gave her a nod of approval as well and Tamara graced him with a genuine smile.
“I agree with you, Ben is a really good cook. He’s taught me a thing or two about marinating meat ‘the right way’. I enjoy cooking with him.”
“You know I enjoy cooking with you.” Ben gave her a dirty grin that her father and Uncle couldn’t see, and she pinched his leg for him to behave.
“Well, I don’t care who cooked it. It was good!” Joe smacked his lips exaggerating. “Do you happen to have dessert? I have a bit of a sweet tooth.”
Tamara laughed, she liked Joe. He seemed to be real and down to earth.
“Of course! Most people have a sweet tooth including me. Which I try to deny at least until the weekend hits. I’ll go get it.”
“You need some help, baby?” Ben offered.
“Yes, thank you.”
Ben had insisted no one would be picky, but she had made a lemon pound cake and cinnamon apple pie, figuring that should cover everyone's taste. Before she could grab anything, Ben pulled her in for a quick hard kiss. With an extra squeeze he let her go, picking up both dishes.
“Grab something to cut these with and the dessert plates.” He told her, leaving the kitchen before she could even catch her breath.
Tamara came out to folks rubbing their hands in anticipation. The two brothers wanted to try the apple pie first and so did she. Everyone else opted for cake. Silence dominated the room for a couple of minutes while everyone dug in.
“Okay, who cooked this pie? They put their foot in it!” It was the most enthusiastic comment Earl had made all night.
Tamara raised her hand because she was busy chewing. This made twice she agreed with the man. She had put her foot in this pie!
“Where did you pick it up from? I’ll start buying them as well.”
“I made it. But I’m sure if you ask nicely, I’d be happy to make you one next time I’m down.”
“You made this?” He asked as if he hadn’t heard her clearly.
“Yes...me, with my own two hands. Though, I will confess that I bought the apples pre-sliced. We were running a bit behind by the time we hit the store. But besides that, I did it all. It’s a recipe of my mom’s. She didn’t bake often but when she did it was delicious.”
“I just didn’t think a modern woman like you would know how to cook. Much less bake so well.”
Tamara shot Ben a look that said, is he for real?
Out loud she responded, “I don’t see what being modern has to do with it.”
“Settle down. I really didn’t mean any offense that time. It’s just that usually women with high powered or demanding jobs don’t bother keeping their skills in the kitchen sharp. Women nowadays don’t need those skills to catch a man anymore. Hell, a lot never learn at all! Or they marry rich husbands who can provide them with a chef.”
The last was said bitterly.
Ben shook his head and threw up his hands, “Really pops? Just stop while you're ahead...which you’re not.”
“It’s obvious he’s never been ahead and current with the times.” Tamara said coolly.
Joe had leaned back and crossed his arms, an amused grin on his face as he waited for the fireworks. Eric let out a big sigh and shook his head, while Felicia bit her lip. Tamara didn’t know if that was to stop the woman from laughing or saying something herself.
“What?” Earl threw his hands up too, a mirror of his son. “What did I say wrong now?”
“Mr. Thompson, while I do agree that some women never learn to cook, I have to say I’m sure it’s been that way for centuries. Some women and men don’t want to learn how to do basic meals. However, since this is not the days of campfires or wood burning stoves, people have more options. I’m sure if they’d had frozen food, restaurants and drive-throughs on the wagon trail they wouldn’t have cooked either. Then there's the fact that women not in modern times didn’t have much of a choice in the roles society and men at large regulated them to. So yes, they cooked and men started to measure a woman’s worth on how well she could make a pie or some horrible ingredients taste better than sewer water.”
Tamara took a deep breath and went on.
“Also, I submit that it’s a fallacy to assume that current day women don’t know or learn to cook. After all, we’re not born with a briefcase in one hand and spreadsheets in the other. I learned to cook growing up from my mother and then on my own. I went to college mostly on scholarships, and law school was certainly not glamorous. So smart women learn to fend for themselves. Speaking of which, if I ever wanted a cook or maid, I’d pay for them myself. I wouldn’t need a rich man to provide it for me or anything else. I would think men would be glad women no longer need to use them for everything in life. I know I certainly can’t think of anything that deals with the day to day necessities that I need a man for. So again, I say I made the pie...I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Silence.
“Humph,” Earl muttered averting his eyes as he moved a piece of pie around on his plate. “Well then...tell your mother her recipe is good, and you did it justice.”
“If I could I would. I’m sure she’d appreciate your compliment.” Tamara’s lips twi
sted at the ironic truth of that statement. “My mother passed not long after I turned seventeen.”
Earl gave her a true look of sympathy.
“I’m real sorry to hear that.” He looked at his son sadly before his next comment. “Children need their mother.”
“I can agree with that Mr. Thompson.” Tamara cut a piece of cake and held it out to him as a peace offering. “Here, try some of my cake too and tell me what you think. Now, if you ask me where I bought it from though, we gon have a problem...okay?”
“Let me have it then. I’ll tell you if it’s good or not.”
The two shared a tentative smile as she slid the cake to his plate.
THE DINNER BEGAN TO wind down after that exchange and in the next thirty minutes the older men got up to leave a little after seven. Tamara wrapped them both another piece of pie and cake to go. When just the two younger couples were left, they sat around the kitchen talking. Eric and Felicia insisted on washing the dishes and Ben convinced her to let them. Felicia said they’d take payment in the form of a dessert plate to take home. Tamara finally decided it was a fair deal as she and Ben had cleaned all the pots and pans before their guests had arrived.
Once that was done, they took their banter into the living room, where Eric told stories about Ben and him getting into trouble while growing up. She even got to hear a tale about a woman Ben used to date, nick named “Clingy Sheila”. As the engaged couple got ready to leave a little past nine, Felicia talked to her while Tamara got their plate ready to go.
“It was great meeting you Tamara. You seem really nice and Ben deserves a good woman. I thought my man works hard but Ben takes it to another level. I think it’s in their family genes or something.”
Tamara was flattered. “Thank you for saying that! I enjoyed getting to know you guys too. And yes, Ben does work hard. He works way too many hours. Even I don’t know how he does it.”