“The only time I come in here is to get some water or brew a cup of coffee, otherwise it’s Ramona’s domain.”
“Do you think she’s going to mind me invading her domain?”
“Not in the least. She doesn’t seem to mind it when Kendra prepares her somewhat unorthodox breakfasts and leaves a mess.”
Nydia wanted to tell Lamar that he paid the woman to keep his house in order and/or clean up messes, but she held her tongue, while at the same time applauding herself for exercising restraint. She knew there were times to open her mouth and other times to keep it closed. And this was one of those times. She’d promised herself not to interfere in Lamar’s personal life unless he asked for her opinion. Then she would not withhold it if they were going to have a friendship based on honesty.
“Do you mind if I check out the cookware? I need to know what I’m working with before we begin the cooking lessons.”
Lamar walked over to a wall of off-white cabinets and opened one. “Ramona keeps her pots and pans in here.”
A number of shelves were filled with blue Le Creuset cookware. There were Dutch ovens, skillets and fry pans, stock and saucepans. There was even a matching teakettle. She also noted a cast iron skillet, blender, and food processor, so essential to a well-stocked kitchen. She bent down to search through the lower shelves.
“What are you looking for?” Lamar asked.
Nydia stood straight. “A panini press.”
He shook his head. “I doubt if we have one, but I’ll call Ramona later on tonight and ask her. If we don’t, then I’ll pick up one during the week.”
“It doesn’t have to be too big or fancy. You’ll probably only use it for grilled cheese and Cuban sandwiches.” She’d said that because it was obvious Lamar had spared no expense when purchasing gourmet cookware for the kitchen. She closed the cabinet door. “Once you learn to cook, you’re going to have a good time putting meals together.”
Lamar rolled his eyes upward. “If you say so,” he drawled.
“I do say so. I’m ready to see the rest of the house.”
Nydia peered into the laundry room with a late-model washer and dryer and enough room for portable drying racks. An ironing board was set up in front of a countertop with stacks of neatly folded sheets and towels. She followed Lamar past a family room with a number of leather reclining chairs, facing a wide, wall-mounted television, and into his office. There was an L-shaped desk with a desktop computer and printer, a drafting table, and another table covered with bound reports. Nydia stared at two tall stainless steel containers filled with what appeared to be dozens of tubes of plans.
“How long have you been in business with your partners?”
“It will be twelve years this coming February.”
She sat on a stool at the drafting table. “How did you meet?”
Lamar sat on the edge of the mahogany desk. “We met in graduate school and eventually went to work for the same engineering firm. Even before graduating we’d planned to set up our own company. However, the decision was where. Omar came from Oakland and Kirk from Los Angeles. We knew setting up in California was not going to be easy, so I suggested New Orleans, not only because I live here but the city was just beginning to recover from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. Soon after we incorporated we applied to the federal and local governments for bids geared to minority-owned companies.”
“Are your partners African Americans?”
“Omar is, and Kirk is black and Vietnamese. His father fought in Vietnam and married a local woman. He arranged for her to come to the States, and even before she became an American citizen she had Kirk and his sister, who is a neurosurgeon.”
Grinning, Nydia made a fist. “All power to the people.”
Smiling, Lamar walked over to Nydia and pulled into her an embrace. “What am I going to do with you?”
She returned his smile. “Keep me around so I can make you laugh.”
He stared at her under lowered lids. “You’re right. There are times when I’m much too serious.”
“Don’t you take time out to have fun?”
“Not enough,” Lamar admitted.
“Before Jasmine and Tonya moved down here we used to meet a couple of times a month for dinner. We’d alternate eating at different restaurants or at one another’s apartments. It was our time to laugh and unwind.”
He angled his head. “Are you saying we should get together to eat, laugh, and unwind?”
“No, I’m not. It is just a suggestion. After all, you do have a daughter to look after.”
“What about our cooking together?” Lamar asked.
