“I’m better than expected. But I’d love to be rid of this thing. Merc, tell me you found someone willing to work with you and Vee?”
“First of all, anyone would be grateful to work with us,” Merc says. “To answer your question, yes, I did. Finding the specific Jakande family was near impossible, till I called Moon. Turns out she inherited a master list of the celestial families. And in case you’re wondering, it’s a tome.”
I hug them. “Thank you.” Vee joins in, making it a three-way hug.
“You’re suffocating me,” Merc wheezes.
Vee and I pull back, and Merc bends at the waist.
“Inhaler?” I ask Vee.
“It’s in their office. I’ll be right back.”
Merc stands upright before Vee gets the chance to leave the room. “Just fucking with y’all.”
“Not funny,” Vee says, straight-faced.
“C’mon, it was funny. Right, Niyi?” Merc asks.
I fold my arms, mirroring Vee’s stance.
“Tough crowd,” Merc murmurs. “Well, let’s get going to find our new Saturn. Hopefully the next one appreciates my sense of humor.”
I roll my eyes. Merc is ridiculous, but I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss working with Vee and them.
We step out of the pink-and-purpleCupid’s Bowbuilding. Taking in the sight the final time as Saturn, I say to my family, “A part of me will miss us working together.”
“Awwww,” Vee coos. “Don’t worry, we’re at your house most of the time anyways.”
Wait.
“Speaking of, I need to borrow some wine bottles for a Restauranter event I’m hosting,” Merc says.
“I should probably get you your own key,” I say to Merc. I made Vee a copy after the third time she called asking for my whereabouts.
“Made a copy of Vee’s, no worries,” Merc says, and Vee laughs at my perplexed reaction.
“You’re never getting rid of us, cuz,” Vee says as we get to Merc’s parking spot.
Two years ago, I would’ve protested. But now, post-Saturn, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
32Moyo
IT’S BEEN THREE WEEKS SINCE I HEARD FROM NIYI. AND I’Mokay. The girls no longer mention him. I’ve been spending every waking hour at the hospital or working on getting more pro bono work approved.
I cashed in theCupid’s Bowcheck, bought a new couch (’cause the girls adamantly refused to use the other one, even after I got it cleaned), deleted the app from my phone, and started seeing a therapist for my relationship trauma. Dr. Whitney and Yaz have been appalled at how much I’ve been working, but they think I’ll get the Clinical Excellence award at the gala tonight. All in all, I’m okay.
I’m staring at my gala dress when the door opens. Anjie’s still in her apron, and Sewa looks stunning in a simple, black, sweetheart-neckline, floor-length gown.
“Why aren’t you dressed?” I ask, taking the wine bottle from Anjie.
“I don’t think I can make it,” she says, and my face falls. “At least not at the beginning. I’m almost done with the final recipe test. I need to nail it before tomorrow evening.”
Of all days for Anjola to have a kitchen-related emergency, it had to be this one. We squealed when we found out the date for her big event was the day after mine. But as the weeks neared, it became more and moreevident that Anjie, the perfectionist, would need every last second to get ready for her shot on the reality TV show.
I shoo her away. “Run back to the kitchen. I’ll see you when I see you.” I kiss one cheek, and Sewa does the same on the other.
She hurries back into the driveway, Mike’s keys jingling in her hand.
