Jacinta approached their table. She wore tan pants and a plush cashmere top. Her eyes were alive like the atmosphere, the music and the mill of voices. Her stroll was strong and assured. She had a beauty about her now that greatly surpassed the beauty she possessed half-naked onstage. She looked happy.
“Mr. Rucker,” she said, extending her hand as she reached the table. “My boyfriend and I’ve been standing there for a few minutes trying to figure out if I should approach your table. Your restaurant is just fabulous.” She turned to Cydney, smiling. “You must be so proud of your husband.”
“Boyfriend,” Cydney said. “And yes, I’m very proud of him.”
“Boyfriend, that’s it?” Jacinta frowned. “Work on him, girl.” She turned and looked at the man she’d just left. He smiled and nodded. She turned back to Cydney. “I’m working on mine, too. It’s still very early, but so far, so good. Think he might be the one. Pray for a sistah, please.” “I will,” Cydney said.
“Thanks for your compliments,” Desmond cut in.
Jacinta nodded. “You’re quite welcome. And, oh, by the way—”
Desmond flinched. Here it came.
“My name is Mona,” Jacinta said. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”
Desmond’s shoulders eased back against his chair. He started to breathe freely again. “Well, thanks, Mona.”
Jacinta nodded. “You two enjoy your meal—” she looked to Cydney “—and, sister, you work on getting that ring like I said.”
Cydney smiled, nodded. “Same to you, Mona.”
Jacinta walked off.
“What a nice woman,” Cydney said. “You’re touching so many people with this place.”
Desmond shook his head, watched Jacinta move toward the front of the restaurant. “So you want a ring?” he asked Cydney.
Cydney was in the process of sipping her lemonade. “Hmm…Yes, when the time is right, with the right guy.”
“You think I can be the right guy someday?”
Cydney smiled. “I like your chances.”
Desmond patted the table. “What do you say we order our dessert now?”
Cydney rubbed her hand over her stomach. “Let’s do it. I saved some space, hoping you’d ask.”
Desmond gestured for one of his waitresses. When the waitress arrived, he smiled at her warmly. “We’ll have an apple brown betty, one plate, two spoons.” When the waitress walked off Desmond turned that warm smile onto Cydney.
“Why the wide smile?” Cydney asked.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, to share an apple brown betty with you.”
“You just have a sweet tooth.”
Desmond’s eyes narrowed and he studied Cydney closely. “I sure do, sweet Miss Wonderful. I sure do.”
APPLE BROWN BETTY
A Sepia Novel
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0066-5
Copyright © 2007 by Phillip Thomas Duck
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