by J. Nichole
Full and still feeling relaxed from earlier, I ask him if he wants to join me on the couch. “Maybe we could find something on TV to watch.”
He remains bare chested, and I cozy right into him while we flip through Netflix shows. “Tell me about your vacation.”
“It was my homegirl’s bachelorette weekend in Jamaica.” I tell him about bumming on the beach, getting drunk at Margaritaville, but I conveniently leave out the strippers.
“Sounds like a nice weekend.” He shifts to look at me. “But what’s a bachelorette party without male strippers? Y’all couldn’t find any in Jamaica?” I look straight ahead at the television, watching Cedric the Entertainer on the screen delivering his infamous jokes. “So there were strippers?”
“Oh yeah. We saw a couple of strippers.” I laugh.
“Good, your girl deserves to go out in style.” I look at him and shake my head. “What do you have planned for tomorrow?”
“No plans actually. You?” He asks me to go with him to visit his mama. His mama. “You know we’ve only been”—I struggle to find a word for what we’ve been doing—“kicking it for a week. You already want me to meet your mama?”
He rubs the top of my head. “Did you bump your head in Jamaica?” I scrunch my eyes. “I met your people after a few days.” And that was only because he insisted he crash the barbecue. “You don’t have to come with me.” He laughs at Cedric’s joke.
“But I told my folks we were friends,” I say considering his invite.
“That’s what we are right? We said we’d work on that yellow rose.” He taps my leg. “For now.”
“Think she’ll have her baked beans?” I ask remembering the taste of the beans that Aiden pulled together for the barbecue.
“She should. When she gave me the recipe I told her all about you. Then after the barbecue I told her how much you liked the beans.”
Knowing that he told his mom about me is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. A boy’s mama is just as bad as a girl’s daddy. He made it through the first conversation with my dad. I’m sure I can make it through the first conversation with his mom. I hope.
Chapter Thirteen
Aiden pulls into his mother’s driveway. The house, as he explained on the way, that he lived in his whole life. A house his mother refuses to leave. He opens my door and I climb out of the car and follow behind him. Thinking this may have been a mistake, I stand to the side as we wait for his mom to answer the door.
“Hey baby, come on in,” she says when she opens the door. For a mother of three grown ass adults, she looks good. Only thing hinting at her older age is her silver hair. But her smooth skin could be used for a black don’t crack campaign.
She leads us into the house before Aiden formally introduces me. “Ma, this is Jennifer.”
With my hand extended I say, “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Boyce.” She takes my hand and her smooth face extends to her hands. She welcomes us to take a seat on the couch.
“I’m glad y’all came by to visit today. I needed an excuse to cook up a big meal.” She looks at Aiden and says, “It’s my cheat day.”
Aiden laughs. “Ma, you are the last person who needs to be worried about a cheat day.”
She waves her hand in the air before looking to me and saying, “Guys just don’t know how much it takes to stay looking like we do, right?” I nod my head. “Anyway, I have to stay on top of my health.” She looks down then back to Aiden and says, “Your brother is supposed to be coming over as well.” Meeting his mother and brother, today could get interesting. “Jennifer, would you like something to drink while we wait on him to make his grand entrance?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She stands to walk away before asking me to join her. I look at Aiden intensely before I disappear to the kitchen. I knew this would be coming, the time for his mom to drill me, alone, about her son.
She opens the refrigerator and grabs a pitcher of lemonade. While pouring a couple of glasses she says, “Aiden told me you all met at a coffee shop a couple of weeks ago.” She emphasized couple, and like me, I’m sure she’s skeptical about her son bringing me to meet her after a couple of weeks.
“Yes, we met at Allegro one morning.” I smile broadly thinking about that morning. “Let him tell it, he saved my life.” She laughs holding a hand to her chest. I didn’t tell her he used that to get my number or that we went out on multiple dates that same week.
“And y’all are just friends?” She hands me a glass of lemonade, almost daring me to lie. She has the same look my mama has when she’s trying to get me to tell the truth.
Before responding I take a big gulp of the lemonade. His mama watches me as the liquid slides down my throat. “Yes ma’am, we are just friends.” It’s not a lie. No revelations were made after last night, not even during the car ride to her house. Is it the total truth though? Not really. But what’s the older generation’s equivalent to fuck buddies? Do they have one?
I thought the other glass of lemonade was for her son, but she takes a seat at the kitchen counter and takes a sip from the glass. “If you say so.” She looks at me sideways before saying, “Are you from Houston, Jennifer?”
“I am. My parents live on the North side.” She asks me about my job and where I went to college, and as I’m responding it doesn’t feel like she’s drilling me.
Aiden walks into the kitchen and grabs a glass of water. He lingers in front of the stove and says, “I was just thinking we could start eating.”
Mrs. Boyce smacks her lips and says, “I bet you were thinking that.” She doesn’t move from her seat. “Call your brother and see where he is at.” Aiden stands beside me typing into his phone. “I hope he calls you on the phone, and doesn’t just text you.” Aiden looks up from his phone and smirks. “I don’t know how you can get to know anyone over a text.”
Feeling like I should come to Aiden’s defense, I say, “We’ve had our fair share of phone conversations, and we’ve spent time talking in person too.”
“Oh have you?” She smiles and takes a long sip of her lemonade. She might as well have had a cup of hot tea.
“Jason is pulling up now.” Saved by Aiden.
His mom goes to the cabinet to pull out plates. I offer to help her set the table. “Sure, dear. I’ll warm the food up while you get the table ready.” Aiden stands aside and watches as I help his mom prepare for the meal.
The front door opens and an older version of Aiden walks into the kitchen. “Just in time,” he says as he hugs his mom from behind. “Wait, I didn’t know Monique was home.” I place the last napkin on the table and look up at him. “Oh snap, my bad.” He looks at Aiden then to me again.
“Jason, this is Jennifer,” Aiden stands beside me as he introduces us. He opens his arms wide and I look to Aiden before giving his brother a hug. “And this is my brother, Jason.” Aiden clears his throat when the hug lingers for too long.
With the last dish on the table, Mrs. Boyce interrupts the drama that’s ensuing between her sons. “C’mon boys, let’s eat.” We pass the dishes around the table and I’m modest with my servings, with the exception of the baked beans. She takes notice and says, “I heard you liked my baked beans.”
“You’ve had mama’s beans before?” Jason huffs. “Where have I been?”
“Chill man,” Aiden says as Mrs. Boyce shakes her head. Although older, Jason acts younger than his brother. “Where is Marci?” Jason sinks into his seat and stuffs his mouth with a spoonful of beans. “Y’all broke up already?”
“Listen,” he says, “she was starting to get too clingy.” Mrs. Boyce rolls her eyes. “Maybe you have some friends,” he says looking directly at me.
“I have a few single friends.” Jason could be the person to keep Erica in Houston. He smiles and continues eating. Aiden had a lot to say about his sister but not much about Jason. “What do you do, Jason?”
Aiden shifts beside me. Jason puts his fork down beside his plate. “I’m in marketing. Nothing as exciting
as Aiden.” He looks at Aiden then to his mother and says, “Or as lucrative.” Their mama looks at him with a raised-brow. “Enough about me, what about you Jennifer?”
After telling him about my job in accounting, Jason peppers me with more questions before his mom asks, “Anyone ready for dessert?” When she said cheat day, she meant it. She pulled out a banana pudding. The traditional banana pudding with the bananas, whipped cream, and Vanilla Wafers. The beans were banging, but this banana pudding would make me come back every weekend and sit through an inquisition as long as it ended with this banana pudding.
“This banana pudding is amazing, Mrs. Boyce.” Aiden nods his head in agreement. Mrs. Boyce tells me I can come over one day and learn how to make it and the beans. I thank her for her offer and say, “I’d love to learn your recipes.”
“Yeah, your mom would appreciate that too. You could bring a homemade dessert to the next barbecue.”
Mrs. Boyce looks at her watch and says, “Boys, clear the table. I’ll take Jennifer upstairs with me to help me get ready for my date.” The boys both gasp and banter as we walk up the stairs.
“Those boys don’t ever want to see me with anyone else.” She looks at me while she shuffles through her closet. “Go ahead and sit on the bed.” I sit on her bed and watch as she models a couple of dress options. “I need to dance off this food.” She twirls in a black dress and asks me if I think it’s too much for dancing.
“Depends on where you are going.” I don’t think she invited me up to really talk about her outfit, but I didn’t want to be a yes woman just because I’m here with her son.
“Some lounge that plays jazz on Saturday nights.” She pulls out a different dress, one a little more casual and probably more appropriate for a jazz lounge. “You know, Aiden hasn’t ever brought a friend home before.” She looks over at me while she puts earrings in her ears. “I’m pretty sure he sees you as more than just a friend.”
“I did think it was too soon for me to come to your house, Mrs. Boyce. But I’m glad I had the chance to meet you.”
She sits beside me on the bed. “I’m not sure if he shared his past relationship with you, but she hurt him pretty bad.” The way he spoke about his last relationship didn’t seem as if he was too hurt, but then again he is a dude. “After everything he’s done for himself she tried to come back around.” She looks at me, my eyes intent on her. “I’ll let him tell you about that when he’s ready.” She pats my knee. “Both of you should be cautious, don’t go into this thing too fast. Take your time.”
“Yes ma’am.” I take heed to everything she’s telling me. After she picks out a pair of shoes to compliment her dress we go back down the stairs where she hurries us out of the house. “Have a good time tonight,” I say as Aiden, Jason, and I walk out of the door. I hear Jason and Aiden mumble something behind me.
“What’d my mom talk to you about when she had you alone?” Aiden asks as he drives away from his childhood home. “Hopefully she didn’t get too nosey.”
I shrug. “You brought me home to meet your mama, of course she had a few questions. But mainly she was just getting to know me.” I look out the window and say, “She mentioned your ex.”
“Huh, what? She did?” We turn and look at each other when he pulls up to the red light. I nod my head. “Interesting, because she didn’t like her too much.” He looks at the steering wheel. “What’d she say?”
“Something about her hurting you then trying to make a comeback later.” I leave out all the details she shared because I want to hear him tell me his version of the story.
“It’s the girl from college.” He pulls off when the light turns green. “I wouldn’t say she hurt me.” He looks at me. “It was college.” He doesn’t say anything else about her. Doesn’t say anything about why she left, or her comeback. When we get back to my apartment he says, “You don’t have plans for any out of country trips next week, do you?” I laugh and shake my head. “I’ll walk you up but let you get some rest since I stole most of your day.” He gets out and opens my door.
“Just don’t lose your phone on your way back to your car,” I say.
He recites my phone number then points to his head. “Even if I do, this time I have your number memorized.” He leans into my opened door and gives me a kiss.
Chapter Fourteen
“But, Ms. Kelly,” Janice whines. “What will we do without the studio?” The studio owners just sent an email announcing the studio’s closure this year after the recital.
“Janice, it’s time for them to retire.” The owners were old when I was a kid. It’s about time they retire. I knew the time would come eventually, I was just hoping they’d sell the studio instead of closing it. “Heart of Dance is not too far from here.” Janice rolls her eyes as I mention the name of the dance studio across town. Many of our competitive dancers go against them in competitions. Offering it up as an option is the only thing I can think of right now.
“And what about you? Where are you going to go?” I haven’t considered if I’ll continue teaching dance once the studio closes. Since the expansion at work, and needing to take on additional accounts, I’ve been busy. Having dance was a relief from work, but it is starting to tire me out.
The rest of the girls file into the room and I can tell the mood for the night will be ruined unless I address them as a class. “Before we get started tonight, let’s take a seat.” The girls sit cross-legged on the floor facing me. “As we all have learned, Pam and Leo are retiring and the dance studio will be closing this year.” The girls collectively moan. “I know it’s disappointing. Especially those of you who have been dancing here for years. I’ll be sad to see this place close too. We should dance our hearts out for one last time. Then we’ll all think about the next place you all can go to show off your talents.”
The mood isn’t any lighter than when they walked in and as I watch them dance to the choreography we’ve been practicing all year, the choreography I created, I’m honestly sad this could be the end. If there was anything I could do, I’d do it. But it’s not like I have a stack of money lying around to purchase a dance studio, and even if I did, I don’t have the time to dedicate to running a dance studio.
When we all walk out of the studio, unlike the banter I usually hear from them, it’s quiet. This decision has rocked them, and I don’t have a solution. Instead of heading straight home, I call Aiden to ask him to join me for a drink. I could use one tonight.
“What’s going on? I thought you’d be happy. In a few days, we’ll be flying to Tennessee to watch your girl get married.” The way Aiden has been talking about Laila’s wedding, you’d think he was a groomsmen. He’s much more excited about it than I am, and I’m pretty damn excited. It could be that it’ll be our first trip together. Since dating, we’ve stuck around Houston, me too busy with work and needing to save my time off for all the events Laila needed me involved in. There was the bachelorette weekend, the bridal shower in Florida, and now the wedding. She insisted we be in Tennessee a few days early. All my little paid time off is dwindling.
“The girls are so down about the studio closing.” I twirl my wine glass around and watch the deep red wine settle against the glass.
“They should be. For them they put time and energy into dance every week. I’m sure they’ve formed a bond with the other girls”—he nudges my arm—“with you.” He’s right. As a dancer I spent much of my free time at the studio, and when I wasn’t there I was hanging with other dancers from class. “Do you know if the owners considered selling it?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
He leans closer into me and says, “I know something that may cheer you up.” With a grin, I already know what that something is, and he’s probably right. It may not be the solution to my problem, but it’ll make me happy for the night. “I’ll pay and meet you at your apartment.” I walk out, giddy to get home.
Before doing anything else, I hop in the shower to be fresh before Aiden arrives. I
have only about a five-minute lead before he arrives. Soaking wet, wrapped in a towel, I answer the door when he knocks.
“Don’t let me stop you from finishing your shower,” he says as he flicks drops of water from my shoulder. “And if you don’t mind, I could join you.” He wriggles his eyebrows and I shrug, walking to my bedroom before dropping my towel in the doorway. Unfortunately, my shower wasn’t made for two. Aiden climbs in behind me fitting snugly against my back. “What’s our selection of soap?”
“Selection?” I laugh, handing him my Lavender and Vanilla body wash. He grabs my washcloth and squirts the soap into the towel, rubbing it onto my back, then down my arms, and he squats behind me to rub the soap into my legs. When he finishes he turns me around rubbing soap into all my nooks, but not my crannies.
I rub soap into his body. Taking time to explore his body. When I finish his back I tell him, “We should get out before the water turns cold.” I step out and grab towels from the cabinet, handing him one before walking out of the bathroom to my bedroom.
Aiden joins me in the bedroom throwing his towel on my bed before saying, “Here,” and reaching for my towel, throwing mine on the bed too. He picks me up laying me on top of the towels before lying on top of me. Taking my bottom lip between his teeth then kissing me, and me kissing him back.
He gets up and I prop myself on my elbows as I watch him leave the room, I assume to grab a condom. Laying back, I look up at the ceiling trying to hide my anxious smile. I re-adjust the towels beneath me, smoothing them out. I hear him enter the room before I can see him and he kisses my navel before running a finger across my clit. It helped that we came from the shower, dripping wet.
Laying on top of me again, he slides inside. Our hands roam and we share kisses between him taking my earlobes and nipples between his teeth. Alternating between quick thrusts and slow grinding. “Damn,” I whisper between gritted teeth. I still and he shudders. We are both slick, but I’m not sure if it’s the water from the shower or a fresh coat of sweat. Whatever it is, I don’t care. I pull the towels from beneath us and wipe us down.