Sweet Heat
Page 29
He picked up the linen napkin near him and dabbed the trickle of tears now coating Naomi’s cheeks.
“I love you for that, and so much more.”
Again, he looked around. “By now, y’all probably know where this is going, right?”
It was a welcome breath of levity in a room where almost everyone was in tears. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring with a stone that could clearly and easily be seen from across the room. “You’re my partner in business. I’d like to make you my partner for life. My knee might curse me out tomorrow but . . .” He kneeled. “Naomi Carson, will you change the last three letters of your name and take mine? Will you have the baby who’s going to look just like me . . .”
Naomi play-punched him.
“Our stomachs are growling, bro.”
“You’re not a preacher and this ain’t a church. Wrap it up!”
And into the silence a petition from Nadine. “Jesus, take the mike.”
“Naomi, I love you. Will you marry me?”
There was a pregnant pause. She placed a finger to her lip as if pondering the question. “Ummm . . .”
Joyous, boisterous reactions ensued, almost drowning out her clear and certain yes.
* * *
Two weeks later, when Naomi hadn’t gotten her period, she called the doctor.
“That’s to be expected,” the doctor said. “It sometimes takes up to eight weeks for the cycle to regulate. Don’t worry. You’re fine.”
Even though Naomi knew she wasn’t pregnant, the doctor’s reassurance was still a relief.
The following week she and Marvin were shoulder to shoulder, prepping chicken and onions for a fried chicken slice.
“Ugh, cutting up so much chicken is making me nauseous.”
Marvin nodded. “You, too? The skin and that metallic bloody odor. Nasty!”
Three days later she was cuddling with Marvin when she felt her stomach bubbling. She raced to the bathroom and a round of dry heaves.
She rinsed her mouth and rejoined Marvin in bed.
“You alright?”
“Probably not. Both auntie and Kristy were sick with the flu last week. God, I hope I’m not getting it.”
“I love you, honey, but . . .” Marvin put a couple feet of distance between. “No need of both of us going down.”
She smacked him with a pillow. “Whatever, dude. Thanks for the compassion.”
Later that morning she called Kristy and thanked her for the germs. Two hours later, Kristy showed up at the truck.
Naomi stepped out of the truck, gave her a hug, and patted Kristy’s belly. “You didn’t say anything about coming down here.”
“Didn’t know I had to announce myself.”
“What can I get for you, cousin?”
“I want two breakfast slices, sausage, and two Southern pecans.” Kristy reached into her purse. “And I also came down to give you this.”
Naomi looked around before snatching the package from Kristy and putting it in her pocket. “Girl, why are you bringing me a tampon?” she hissed between gritted teeth.
“It’s a pregnancy test.”
“Why? I’m not pregnant.”
“Did you get your period?”
“No.”
“Is food still making you sick?”
“Not really. And I don’t have the flu. You just want a playmate for your child.”
Naomi hopped back in the truck and promptly forgot about Kristy’s assumption. Unseasonably warm weather had people out in droves, a fact that hadn’t been anticipated. Less than eight hours after opening for business, Marvin and Naomi packed up the truck and headed home.
She went to use the restroom. Only then did she feel the plastic and remember what Kristy said. Her hand hovered over the wastebasket and then she thought, Why not?
Quickly reading the instructions on the wrapper, Naomi took care of business, set the applicator on the counter, and washed her hands while waiting to see the one line she knew would be there.
Except there were two.
“Marvin!”
Turns out the New York trip was indeed unforgettable. A constant reminder of just how amazing it had been would be delivered seven months later. Sweet.
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