I headed back across the street and to the driver’s side of the truck. After getting my phone from inside, I responded to my brother.
“I think I found my future wife.”
“You what?” he questioned, following me back into the house.
“I think I found my future wife. Her name is Naryah, and my future stepson’s name is Keelan. They live across the street.”
DJ looked at his watch. “We’ve been here for ten minutes, and you’re claiming a woman you just met.”
“I am. Did you order the pizza? I’m starving.”
“Yeah. It’s on the way. You know Kindra’s single friends have been anticipating your arrival.”
Kindra was my sister-in-law, DJ’s wife. Ever since she found out I was moving back to Black Elm, she’d been talking about setting me up with her friends. I wasn’t sure how that would work, since she didn’t have just one friend in mind. It sounded like she wanted me to go out with a few of them and choose the one I liked best to settle down with.
“I’ll tell her I’m not interested.”
My brother frowned. “Are you serious?”
“I am. I told you I just met my future wife. Ain’t no need for me to waste Kindra’s friends’ time when I know who I want.”
“Bro, all you know is her name. She might be crazy or come with baggage.”
I shrugged. “We’re all a little crazy and come with a bit of baggage. If things don’t work out, I’ll take Kindra up on her offer.”
“You talked to her for all of two minutes, if that, and you’re already taking yourself out of the dating pool.”
“I gotta be ready.”
DJ shook his head but didn’t say anything more. A few minutes later, the pizza arrived, and not long after that, six of DJ’s employees showed up. After introductions, the men got right to work while DJ and I supervised.
I was surprised by how quickly they emptied the truck and put each box or piece of furniture in the appropriate place. They finished a lot faster than I expected, chopped it up for a few minutes, and left.
“All right, Bro. The rest is up to you. I haven’t seen my wife and kid in a week. I’ll hit you up tomorrow.”
“That’s cool. I appreciate you, Big Bro.”
We exchanged a genuine hug before I walked him to the door. Before leaving, he said, “I talk a lot of shit, but I’m glad you’re back.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to be back.”
I remained at the door until the moving truck pulled off, giving me the perfect view of Naryah’s house. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, and I was lucky enough to catch her coming outside holding pizza boxes.
She wore a tank top and shorts that exposed her thick thighs, and my eyes were glued to her as she took boxes to the trash container on the side of the house. On her way back inside, she paused at the door and looked around.
When her eyes landed on me, I smiled and waved. She didn’t return the gesture before going inside, and I hoped it was because she didn’t see me as I’d assumed.
I left my post at the front door, securing the door behind me. I took in my surroundings, releasing a deep breath as I processed all that needed to be done. I decided to start in my bedroom because I needed somewhere to sleep.
As I began reassembling my bed, I called my mother. She answered after the first ring, as if she’d been awaiting my phone call.
“Hello, Son. I take it you and your brother made it safe and sound.”
“Hey, Ma. We did. My bad for not calling as soon as we got here. What are you and the old man up to?”
“Don’t call my husband old, because that means you’re calling me old since I’m only a year younger.”
“You know I’m just messing with you. What are you and Pops doing?”
