“Actually, he told me that he was in love with me,” Nikki said.
To their surprise, Erica stood. “Get out of here!” she said.
“Yep,” Nikki said.
“What’s he going to do with you and those kids as young as he is?” Erica asked, still standing, with her hands on her hips.
Both Nikki and Jada looked at Erica silently until she realized there would be no response until she sat down.
“He didn’t propose, Erica. What’s your problem?” Nikki asked.
“I’m just looking out for you is all,” she answered, calming down.
Nikki nodded, doubting Erica’s last words.
“So just how long has this been going on?” Jada asked.
“I’ve been feeling the vibe for a few months now, but last night was the first time he ever mentioned anything to me.”
“It won’t work,” Erica said.
“Why not?” Nikki asked.
“He can’t handle you,” Erica said.
“I don’t need to be ‘handled,’ as long as he can handle himself. Besides, he has goals, dreams, and vision,” Nikki replied.
“Does he have any money, houses, and cars?” Erica asked.
“How materialistic is that?” Nikki asked. She was starting to get perturbed with Erica’s line of questioning.
“You need a man to help you with those kids. He’s a good friend and all, but your rich prince might be right around the corner,” Erica said.
“That’s you, Cinderella. I can take care of me and my babies, and I don’t need a man for that.”
“She’s got a point, Erica. I lived in a mansion when I was married, and we slept in separate bedrooms, so I hear ya, Nikki. I feel the same way,” Jada said.
“Thanks, Jada,” Nikki said.
“So how do you feel about him?” Jada asked.
“I don’t know,” Nikki answered. The Umpire of Peace had yet to make the call.
“Well, just take your time and be honest and true to yourself,” Jada said.
“Yeah, you do that and let us know what he’s bringing to the table,” Erica said. “If you think about it, probably not much, and you deserve more. We are virtuous women, and our price is far above rubies. Read Proverbs 31, girl.”
“See, now, that’s why you had to go to the hospital diving for that bouquet, like catching it was really going to get you a husband. I saw the video,” Nikki said.
“Don’t go there. My side still hurts,” Erica said.
“The way that girl tackled you for that bouquet, you need to let me send that tape to America’s Funniest Home Videos. When you win, then you’ll have enough money so you can stop tripping and get a real man and not waste your time waiting for a rich fairy-tale prince,” Nikki said.
“See, she went there, Jada.”
“Yes, you did, Nikki, now apologize,” Jada said.
“I apologize to the wide receiver. But on that wedding video, you went for that pass and that girl tackled your—”
“Nikki!” they yelled.
Chapter Thirty-five
Nikki and Kevin had not seen each other since Kevin’s announcement. He made himself stay away until he heard from her. In the meantime, she had begun to entertain some thoughts about him.
What is the point in having a man, a boyfriend? What would we be able to do that we aren’t doing now? Like Pastor asked the teens: “What do you mean you go together? What is the difference between being friends and going together to a Christian?” That’s what I want to know too, Pastor. We can’t sleep together like the world defines going together. If you are seriously striving to walk upright before the Lord, that can only happen in marriage. All the other benefits come under the umbrella of friendship. Everything is cool just the way it is.
Then she did something she had dared not do before. She entertained the thought of being married to Kevin. She couldn’t be afraid to deal with her true feelings. What if he wanted to marry her?
No. It just will not work. Forget about it. He has grown tremendously in the things of God since we first met. I trust him just as much as I trust anybody. He’s ambitious, no-nonsense, and boy, can he sing. I like that, she thought. Then out loud she asked, “Is that You, God? Throwing in little extra special touches that You know I like in order to let me know that You approve? I wonder what ever happened to that girl I saw him with on that first day. I haven’t seen her anymore and haven’t had the nerve to ask him about her. Doesn’t matter, since she appears to have fallen off the face of the earth. Then there’s my number one priority, Lord, my kids. They adore Kevin and he adores them. I don’t know what Taj would have done without him when we first got here. I respect teachers and coaches to the utmost. I can get up under a mission like that, which inspires and influences our young people to be all they can be. It’s a part of the solution. And I’ll admit it to You, Lord, because You already know. I do love him. But what kind of wife would I make with all my baggage? Umpire of Peace, you make the call.”
Just then a calm peacefulness flooded Nikki’s entire being. When she was done praying, she called Kevin.
“We need to talk.”
“Be right up.”
The children were outside playing with their friends. She and Kevin sat at the dining room table, Kevin at the head, Nikki across from him.
“So what do you have in mind?” Nikki asked.
“I have never felt the way you make me feel. You are smart, funny, open, honest, caring, and absolutely beautiful inside and out. You make me think and laugh. You inspire me and you understand me. I feel your love for me. That feeds my love for you, which feeds your love for me, and our love is just growing out of control, and now we have to do something about it.”
“Something like what?” she asked.
“I know you came to Atlanta to begin a new life, and you have. I just know in my heart that we can have an even greater life together,” he said, then paused for a reaction.
There was none. She was quietly still, listening to every word. He continued.
“The only thing I have that is worthy of you is all my love. Now, you haven’t even shown that you are interested in that type of a relationship with anybody, and that may have something to do with the way I feel about you. But I know for a fact that in addition to everything else, I just want to hold you.”
There. He said it. She exhaled. She had been subconsciously holding her breath. “Nikki, baby, you are a serious sister, and I want you to be my wife.”
Even after all of her praying and preparation, Nikki was still amazed at all he had said.
A cool, confident, and patient Kevin waited silently for a response. Everything she had been thinking about, analyzing, and figuring out made sense and felt right. She had gone on with her life, and Kevin was the only person she could imagine being with as she moved forward. She decided his response to her next question would be the determining factor.
“How will we overcome the obvious challenges that we will face from every direction?” she asked.
“By the Spirit of God that lives inside the both of us. We will overcome them together and as one,” was his eloquent response.
“Then the answer is yes.”
The first challenge was to inform the children. Kevin and Nikki gathered them on the sofa. Holding Nikki’s hand, which did not go unnoticed by any of the children, Kevin began.
“Your mother and I are best friends. I first realized that I loved her a while back. Now we both realize that we love each other and—”
Mia jumped up, cutting him off. “They’re getting married! I’m moving back to Richmond with my daddy!” she yelled.
Nikki thought, This is not going to be easy, but she let Kevin handle it just to see him operate under pressure.
“I understand how you feel, Mia,” he said in a calm, soothing voice. “And I will never try to replace your daddy. I love you guys. Your mother and I want to spend the rest of our lives together. We can hang out like we always do. I’m here for
you, and I want to make your mother happy. She believes I can make her happy. She deserves to be happy, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, okay,” Mia said, and she went into her room to watch TV.
“Here, Taj,” Shay said, handing him a dollar.
“Thank you very much,” he said, smiling as he took his winnings.
“What’s that for?” Nikki asked.
“Taj bet me a dollar that you two were going to get married. I said you seemed to like things just the way they are, so I bet you wouldn’t. Thanks a lot, Mommy,” Shay said.
“Well, what if I give you your dollar back?” Nikki asked.
“That’ll work,” Shay said.
“Are we all still cool?” Kevin asked.
“I’m cool,” Taj said, stuffing his dollar bill into his pocket.
“Yes, you are, sweetheart,” Nikki said. “What about my girls?”
“I’m fine, Mommy, and I know that little drama queen is too,” Shay said.
“Are we still going to Six Flags tomorrow?” Taj asked.
“Just like we planned,” Kevin said.
“You coming, Mommy?” Shay asked.
“No, baby. I have some business to take care of.”
“I got the kids. You handle your business, baby,” Kevin said.
She planned to do just that. Nikki went to her bedroom to make a couple of calls. First she called Jada.
“Jada, we have to have a meeting after service tomorrow. Let’s get together for brunch.”
“All right. Should we meet in the usual spot?”
“Exactly.”
Next she called Erica. “What’s going on after church?”
“Nothing, why?” Erica asked.
“We’re meeting for brunch.”
“Cool.”
“Meet Jada and me at the usual spot after service.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After church service, they all walked to Nikki’s van.
“Where’re the kids, Nikki?” Erica asked.
“Kevin is taking them to the amusement park after late service,” she responded.
“He’s really pouring it on, isn’t he?” Erica said.
“He’s doing what he’s always done since I met him.”
Nikki had decided to do something different and take her friends to an upscale restaurant in another part of town. The beautiful buffet was supplied with a delectable-looking array of foods from which to choose, including all types of breakfast dishes, fruit and vegetable salads, seafood, and an assortment of roasted and smoked meats. Nikki checked out Erica’s plate and shook her head.
“You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Is there anything you don’t eat grits with, Erica? Smoked salmon, mussels, oysters, poached eggs, steamed shrimp, and a bowl of grits.”
“I can’t help it,” Erica said, putting a spoonful in her mouth. “Hmmm, they’re good too. What is this meeting about?”
“Why didn’t you send an interoffice memo so that we could be prepared?” Jada asked.
Erica and Jada laughed. Nikki was serious.
“Ladies, I have an announcement to make. Kevin and I are getting married.”
Jada gave Erica a quick glance.
“Congratulations, sis,” Jada said. “You’re an intelligent, spiritual woman who knows what she’s doing. I’m happy for you.”
“If you’re sure, then congrats,” Erica said, feigning a smile after getting over the shock.
“Well, thank you both. And I am sure,” she said. She was pretty sure about Jada’s sincerity, but doubted Erica’s.
“Wow, we have a wedding to plan,” Jada said.
“No hoopla. Only our immediate family and close circle of friends will be there. That’s you guys, the kids, and my parents, of course. Kevin’s parents died when he was young. His grandmother raised him and his sister, but the grandmother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s. So that leaves Randy; Kevin’s sister, Chanel; and her son, Rashad. That’s it. We don’t need any negative spirits I’m not sure about lingering around. Know what I mean?” Nikki asked, glancing at Erica, who was preoccupied with her grits.
“Yeah, girl. I know exactly what you mean,” Jada said.
Chapter Thirty-six
The children were spending their summer vacation in Virginia with their grandparents. Nikki and Kevin had plenty of time alone together to get to know each other better and to complete their marriage counseling.
Work had been going well, and Nikki had not pursued a higher-paying job because she liked working near Erica; however, since her marriage announcement, her favor at work seemed to have left. One day Vincent called her into his office.
“Nikki, your children are away for the summer, correct?”
“Correct.”
“Then you should be able to come in at eight with the rest of the staff.”
“If you don’t mind, I have gotten used to this schedule and would like to keep it.”
“Personnel orders are that since you no longer require the flexible schedule, you begin at eight o’clock with the rest of the staff. Sorry.”
“No problem.”
“That’s it. Thank you.”
Personnel orders, Nikki thought as she decided to pray about reopening her employment options.
That night, she and Kevin discussed their careers.
“My job is not fun anymore,” she told him.
“Well, then we have to make it fun,” Kevin said, and began tickling her.
She laughed hysterically.
“No, silly,” she said, trying to get away.
“No what?” he asked as he stopped tickling and just held her.
Lying relaxed in his arms, she began to explain.
“Being employed at the church is a lot of work, and it used to be fun and rewarding. If I could have afforded to do it for free, I would have. But lately, I don’t think they can pay me enough to stay there.”
“Why, baby?”
“Well, Erica was a big part of my wanting to be there. She’s my very first friend in Georgia, but she hasn’t seemed like my friend lately.”
“How so?”
“She’s been distant. She doesn’t call anymore, and when I call, she’s always busy.”
“Maybe she is.”
“Well, she wasn’t that busy before we got engaged.”
“You think that has something to do with it?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“You talk to her about it?”
“She’s been avoiding me.”
“Well, if it’s bothering you, talk to her. Lay it all out on the table and deal with it is my motto. That’s how I got you, baby,” he said, and started tickling her again.
The next day, Nikki went to Erica’s office to invite her to lunch.
“Sorry, I’m busy,” Erica said.
“You have been quite busy lately, girlfriend,” Nikki said.
“I’m sure you have been too.”
“Kind of,” Nikki said. “I also wanted to ask you about me continuing to come in at eight-thirty.”
“No more exceptions to the rules. With your new husband, you should be able to figure out how to get the kids to school and yourself to work on time. It can’t be that difficult.”
“I’m sure we can. Now, what’s your problem?” Nikki asked, closing the door.
“What?”
“You have been acting weird since I announced my engagement.”
“You are imagining things, darling.”
“No, really, Erica. You’re my girl, and things have not been the same.”
“I’m just giving you your space, Nikki. We’re still cool. Now, if you will excuse me, I really am busy,” Erica said.
“Fine,” Nikki said as she opened the door and left.
Nikki couldn’t figure out what Erica’s problem could be. They had been too close and had too much fun together for her to not be concerned about her friend. She needed some advice. She called her fri
end Zakia from back home.
“I need you, girl,” Nikki said when Zakia answered the phone.
“You got me, sis. What’s up?” Zakia asked.
“My best friend down here has been tripping on me lately. And I honestly don’t know what I have done to her,” Nikki said.
“You can’t remember doing anything? People are so funny, there’s no telling what you may have done. Think,” Zakia advised her friend.
Nikki remembered the glance Jada gave Erica at the restaurant when she first told them about her engagement. “I know who might know something,” she said.
“Go for it,” Zakia said.
“I’m going to do just that. Thanks,” Nikki said.
She decided to pay Jada a visit.
“Okay, come clean. I know you know something. What is wrong with our girl Erica?” Nikki asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, Jada. I know you, attorney-at-law, have noticed a difference. Tell me, what did I do?”
Jada paused, then relented, not out of betrayal, but out of the same concern Nikki had for Erica.
“You got engaged, Nikki. What Erica wants more than anything in the world is to find Prince Charming, but she’ll settle for a good man who loves her and wants to marry her.”
“And avoiding me is going to help her reach that goal?”
“Give her some time. That’s been her constant prayer, and you could have cared less if you never got married again. It seems like you stole her blessing.”
“Give me a break.”
“Understand, Nikki, it’s not intentional. Spending so much time with the kids while you travel, she was really feeling the family thing. Now with Kevin, you have the whole package she’s been praying for, while she goes home alone.”
“Again, is that my fault? Why take it out on me?”
“You are living her dream. It’s tough to watch somebody get everything you have been fervently praying for. So try to understand her. She’ll get over it.”
“Dang. But it makes sense. How did I get so blessed?”
“God knows what He’s doing, girl, and Erica is going to just have to trust that.”
“So what do I do?”
“Nothing. Keep loving her and being her friend, and she’ll come around.”
Saved Folk in the House Page 18