by Kenya Wright
“I’m surprisingly in a good mood.”
“Why?”
“Must be my magic blanket.”
She laughed.
Stop flirting with her. Go put on some clothes. Check your email. See how the managers are coping. But it’s Saturday. Fuck all of that. Stare at Jade.
Groaning, I rose and ran my fingers through my hair.
After washing her hands, Jade opened a cabinet and took out a bowl. “What’s on your mind?”
“A lot.”
“Like what?”
“I’m wondering what I should do this morning.”
And how can I get you to pull that flap down that’s covering your ass.
She cracked a few eggs into the bowl. “What do you usually do on Saturday?”
“I usually go into the office and get some work done.”
“No way. You’re the boss. You have to work on Saturdays?”
“No. I more was finding shit to do so I wasn’t home.”
“Wow. Avoiding Amber.” She went to the fridge and pulled out more items. “Are you cool with cheddar cheese for your omelet?”
“Yes.”
She bent over some more. “What about spinach?”
If she doesn’t stop showing me that wonderful ass, I’m going to unsnap those long johns.
She rose and brought a bag of spinach over. “Yes or no?”
I raised my eyebrows. “What?”
“Are you cool with spinach too?”
I grinned. “Yeah.”
She quirked her brows. “You’re being super silly this morning.”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
It’s probably how sexy you’re looking and how warm you felt when I woke up this morning.
Somehow I’d shifted from Zora’s brooding big brother to flirtatious and willing for a little quarantine action today.
She took out a wooden board, grabbed a knife, and began chopping spinach.
“Can I help?”
“Yep. Put on some clothes.”
I smirked. “Can I help you make food too?”
“Nope. You’ll just get in the way with your big self.”
I widened my smile.
“And you’re looking like a devil over there. Don’t even think about coming into the kitchen.”
“Meany.”
“Hey.” She shrugged. “I have boundaries when I’m cooking. I don’t play.”
“So, you can throw down like your mother?”
“I like to think so, but she believes she is the queen of pots and pans and no one will be taking her crown anytime soon.”
“Mrs. Byrd is an excellent cook. I hate to say it, but she beats my mom when it comes to most meals.”
“Oooo,” Jade said in a sing-song voice, “I’m telling.”
“You are better not.”
“I’m so telling Mrs. Patel.”
“And she’ll believe you over me too. Apparently, she doesn’t understand that you’re not her daughter by blood.”
“That’s Mommy all day.”
I laughed. “And you’re the only one she let’s call her mommy. Zora and I have to say mom or mother.”
“She gets me. We were sisters in another life.” Jade shifted to dicing peppers. “When’s the last time you called her?”
“I haven’t. I just saw her at the wedding last week.”
She sucked her teeth. “Horrible.”
“What? When’s the last time you talked to my mother?”
“Yesterday morning.”
I let out a long breath. “You’re such a suck-up.”
She grinned. “I wanted to make sure she was doing okay.”
“You’re making me look bad.”
“I was going to check on her today too.”
“Absolutely not.” I left the counter and walked over to my phone.
“Are you calling her?”
“Yes, Mrs. Suck Up. You know you don’t get special points or anything.”
“I actually do. That’s why you’re losing the game.”
I laughed and turned on my phone.
“Are you going to tell her about Amber?”
“No.” I frowned. “If I told her, my mother might throw a huge celebration. At this time she should be social distancing.”
“That’s cold.”
“She wasn’t an Amber fan.” My screen glowed, showing seven voice messages. I pressed on the file. Six came from Amber. My sister left the last one. I pushed delete for all of them and headed to the balcony. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to call Zora and then my mother.”
“Tell them both I said hi.”
“Nope.”
“Hater.”
Still in my towel and not caring about the show to Brooklyn, I opened the balcony door, stepped outside, closed it behind me, and dialed my sister.
Zora picked up on the first ring. “Mom’s sick!”
“What?” My body froze.
“Delores, her cleaning lady, called me. She thought she was calling your number and didn’t want to bother me on my honeymoon, but anyway that doesn’t matter. Mom had a fever, was coughing, and had lost her appetite. Delores took her to the hospital. They kept her. She tested positive for the coronavirus.”
My stomach caved in.
I walked over to the closest chair and sat down. My heart raced.
“Kamal?”
“Yes. I heard.” I raised my hand to my head and rubbed it. “Is she answering her phone?”
“No.”
“Damn it. Do we know what hospital?”
“Yes. I’ll text you all the information after we get off. I just didn’t want to tell you through text.”
I closed my eyes. “What about her doctor or—”
“Don’t worry. I have all the information. They also have your number. Kamal. . .it’s going to be okay. No one is as about health and fitness like our mother and—”
“I should be there.”
“Don’t think about it that way. We will do what we can.”
I opened my eyes. “Fuck. I should have flown her out here. Why didn’t I do it?”
“Because you’re a grown man trying to enjoy your life.”
“But still, she’s getting older and all the way over there.”
“Kamal, the last thing we need to do is start having a bunch of regrets.”
I let out a long breath. “What about her insurance card? I can send it to Delores. I have a copy when I put Mom on my insurance.”
“That’s all taken care of. In fact, that’s probably what is going to save her. You put her on a top-notch program. She’s in her own room and received a test before everyone else.” She sighed. “Not many can say that. Delores said Mom felt bad about getting treated like royalty while so many sat in the ER barely breathing and in fear.”
“I’m calling her as soon as we get off.”
“Good, but she may not answer. You know how she is. She doesn’t want us to worry. If she doesn’t answer, then call Delores. I’ll text you her number too.”
I shook my head. “She better answer her phone.”
“She’s stubborn.”
“Damn it,” I growled. “I knew this virus was serious. I’d been. . .making sure to stay safe but I didn’t know this would hit so close to home.”
“It’s going to be okay. It has to.”
“Does she need a ventilator to breathe or anything like that?”
“No, but she’s being held for five days just in case. It’s part of the hospital’s containment policy.”
Once again, I felt helpless this month. I wasn’t liking this feeling at all.
I stared off into the distance. Buildings greeted my eyes. Not many walked outside. A few people sat on their balconies, gazing into their phones.
“Kamal?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
“Why are you at my apartment?”
“Amber cheated.”
Zora didn’t respond.
“That seem
ed like a big deal yesterday.” I smoothed down my wet hair. “Now, not so much. Now, I don’t give a fuck about Amber or what she did. Now, I just want our mother to be healthy and okay.”
“I’m still sorry that it happened to you.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” I leaned back in the chair. “The only thing I care about is our mother. That’s it.”
“But how are you doing? Are you comfortable? I know it might be weird being in there with Jade.”
For once, a bit of relief came to me. “Jade has been the best part of this week. I’m thankful I have her here.”
“Hmmm.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Why did you say it that way?”
“Why did you say it that way?”
I frowned. “You know how Jade is. She’s. . .sweet and friendly. You know? She makes you comfortable to be around her.”
“Well, yeah. She’s my best friend forever. I just never heard you describe her that way.”
“Jade and I have never been in a situation where I would say that.”
“Hmmm.”
“Spill it, Zora.”
“I’m just saying. I know you’re heartbroken—”
“I’m not. I was pretty done with Amber a few months ago. I was dragging my feet on the reality of it all.”
“Still. . .”
“Still what?” I asked.
“Don’t use Jade as some sort of rebound fling.”
“I’m not even thinking that way.”
“Good.”
“That hasn’t even crossed my mind.”
“Awesome.”
“But. . .”
“Oh no.”
“I’m just saying. But, we are two single adults.”
“Don’t even think about it. Jade has gone through a lot. She needs time to heal, and you need time too.”
“Relax. The only thing that will be on my mind right now is our mother being okay.”
“Good.”
I cleared my throat. “How are you over there at the Maldives? Jade said you were stuck.”
“I am. Oh. I’m pregnant too.”
My head throbbed. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes.”
Anxiety shook me. I closed my eyes. “That’s good news.”
“Then, why do you sound so sad?”
“I’m just thinking that I now have another person to stress over this year.”
She giggled. “Well, that’s because you’re going to be the best uncle ever.”
“I will.”
“Did you see President Dreyfuss’s announcement this morning?”
“No. I haven’t been up that long.”
“They’re barring entry into the US from anyone who has traveled to any Asian country in the previous fourteen days. I’m worried. We’re basically in South Asia.”
“Don’t think about it until you have to. The airport is closed there. Let’s deal with one problem at a time.”
“You’re right. Mom, then. . .getting back to America.”
I smiled. “And then the new baby.”
“No. Then, I kick Amber’s ass.”
“You can’t fight her while you’re pregnant.”
“No. She can’t fight me while I’m pregnant. I can still slap her.”
“I don’t need you to take out any revenge. What’s done is done.”
“Well, I am mad at this coronavirus, but can’t hit it. I’m mad that Mom is sick, but can’t slap the hospital. So, I get to take all of my aggression out on Amber.”
“It’ll be a waste of time. Soon she’ll just be a distant memory to us all.”
“I look forward to that day.”
“Until then, I’ll talk to you later, sis.”
“Okay, Kamal. I love you.”
“I love you and tell Corey I said hi.”
“I sure will. Bye.”
I hung up, set the phone on my lap, and stared at the silent view of Brooklyn—a place that usually would be buzzing with activity on a Saturday morning. With this pandemic, every new day brought some unique form of crazy and another odd thing to get used to.
Please, let her be okay.
My mother being sick changed my perspective. I no longer worried about my company Z.E.N. or the employees or even Amber and our shitty relationship. I didn’t care about how long the city would be on lockdown or if we would forever have to wear masks. All I could do was close my eyes and pray for my mother’s immediate recovery.
Nothing else mattered.
Chapter 7
Jade
Coronajerks
Kamal spent a good bit of time on that balcony, pacing back and forth and talking on the phone. The whole time, I made our breakfast and tried not to ogle at him looking so sexy in that towel.
That man is all the way fine. Jesus Christ.
I didn’t do the omelets until after I fried up some crispy, shredded hash browns and a few slices of Zora’s turkey bacon. Again, I glanced up a few times and loved the sight of him.
Mmmmhmmm. I wouldn’t mind him wearing just a towel all week.
After I finished, I plated our food and carried it all to the table. I poured us both a glass of orange juice and set those out on the table with silverware.
Kamal stepped back in from the balcony.
I set the plates on the table. “How’s my mommy?”
He stood in the center of the living room. “She tested positive for coronavirus.”
My heart fell to my stomach. I stepped back from the table and held my chest. “Wait. What?”
“Zora told me that her housekeeper called—”
“Delores?”
“Yes. Mom had a fever and was coughing.” Pain covered his face. “She took her to the hospital. They tested her.”
“Oh my God.” I rushed over to Kamal and held him. “I’m so sorry.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him tight. “I’m scared.”
“Don’t be. She’s a soldier.”
“She’s also a cancer survivor. Wouldn’t that be high risk?”
I leaned back a little and looked at him. “I don’t know, but focus on the fact that she’s a survivor.”
Worry creased his face. “What would I do without her?”
“We won’t know now. She’s going to be fine. She told me you hooked her up with the best doctors and—”
“Will that be enough?”
“Yes. I’ll tell my mom if it’s okay. She’ll want to check up on her and make sure everything is okay.”
“Your mother can’t go see her now. What about your Dad?”
I blinked. “That’s true. But my mom would want to know. At least she’ll have her whole church pray. They have a prayer group and they do all these requests every week.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “That would be good.”
I slowly moved away from him, but he pulled me back in and held me tight.
And there we stayed for several minutes. I leaned my head against his warm, hard chest. His heartbeat thumped in my ear. His scent swarmed around me. It reminded me of my body wash.
I was shocked that I had even grabbed him into a hug, but he needed it.
There was power in human touch—magic in a simple embrace. When I was a kid and scared, one hug from my father erased all fears. It made me feel safe and protected. I’d learned later that when a person received a hug, their body released oxytocin—the love hormone. Oxytocin made us happy. It reduced stress and anxiety.
Kamal let out a long breath, squeezed me hard, and then let me go. “Thank you. I. . .I needed that.”
I smiled. “I’m here all day at your personal hug service.”
“Do you promise?”
“It would just be a small fee.”
“I’ll pay anything you request.”
A silly grin spread across my face. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you the friend discount.”
He studied my face.
I blinked and looked away. “So. . .breakfast is ready.”
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“I don’t know if I’m hungry now.”
“Doesn’t matter. You must eat. You can’t be there for your mother if you’re sick too. The best thing we can do for our families is to stay as healthy as possible.”
“Good point.” He walked over to the table. “Damn. This smells amazing.”
“I told you I can rock a meal.”
He pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit down. “I love how humble you are with your cooking skills.”
I sat down in the chair. “There’s no need to be humble when you know you’re amazing.”
He left me, went to his side of the table, and sat down. “So, what’s on our activities for today?”
“I have to walk Mr. Ganesha.”
He scrunched his face and looked around. “Where is my furry nephew?”
“He’s passed out on the bed in the back. Apparently, he was the only one to lay on the bed last night and thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Kamal grinned. “He’s not supposed to be on the bed.”
“I know, and he knows. But Mama Zora isn’t here, so he’s currently living his best life.” I snapped my fingers. “A doggy has to do what a doggy has to do.”
“I’m telling on him.”
“That’s not being a good uncle.”
He cut a piece of the omelet, put it in his mouth, and then groaned. “Hmmm.”
“You like it?”
“Love it.” He gazed at my plate. “I may eat yours.”
“Ha.” I inched my plate closer to me. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Is this regular bacon?”
“No. Turkey bacon.”
“How did you get it to taste like regular bacon?”
“Family secret.”
“These hash browns are perfect. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Just how I love it.”
“Okay, Kamal. You’re inflating my ego.”
“You deserve it.” He forked some into his mouth and chewed. “I wished you lived in New York.”
“You think, if I lived here, I would cook you breakfast.”
He faked pouted. “Of course. Right?”
“Maybe, once a month as a whole event with everyone.”
“No. Once a week.” He gave me a piercing gaze. “And everyone doesn’t have to be invited.”
A nervous laugh left me.
He sipped his orange juice. “By the way, why aren’t you in New York?”
I took a bite of the bacon. “Why are you saying it that way?”
“You’re a damn good artist. You would do well out here.”