Zahirah
Four months later …
“Hey,Mrs. Fran, can I help you with anything?” I ask as I walk into the Coswell kitchen.
It’s Christmas, and our families are having Christmas dinner together this year. Bentley and I were lucky to be able to come home. His team won their ball game just in time for him to be here.
It looks like they’re going to the playoffs for sure. I’m so excited for him. This season has been everything he wanted and more. Bentley has balled out.
“Oh, yes, I was hoping you would offer. Your father and Bill had their hearts set on your mother’s cornbread dressing and greens. She was supposed to make them before she hurt herwrist helping me with those stupid decorations. I feel so bad,” she says with worry in her eyes.
“You want me to make them?”
“Yes, I have everything here already. The greens are already washed. You’ll find everything else in the refrigerator and pantry. I know she taught you how to make them. She told me you’ve been cooking.” She winks at me.
Mom did teach me, and the last two Thanksgivings, I secretly made both the collard greens and the stuffing for her. My dad was none the wiser. I have to say, I do make them both pretty damn well. I begin to roll my sleeves up.
“No problem. I’ve got you,” I sing.
“Oh, thank you, honey. You’re a lifesaver. I have a taste for the greens and the dressing myself.”
I get to work gathering everything and begin to prep. There’s Christmas music playing and laughter flowing through the house. I can hear the boisterous, booming voices of my dad and Bentley’s father.
As I cut the greens and prep them to set aside while I get the neck bones seasoned in the pot, I begin to smile and wiggle my hips. Mrs. Fran looks up at me and smiles. We work in silence for the most part.
“The greens are in the pot, and the cornbread should be out in another fifteen minutes. I need to brown this meat and sweat these onions and green peppers down,” I mumble to myself.
Suddenly, I’m wrapped in big, strong arms. I crane my neck to look up at Bentley. He dips his head and kisses my neck then pecks my lips.
“I was wondering what happened to you,” he says as he searches my face with his gaze.
“I came to see if I could give your mom a hand.”
“And she put you to work? Really, Mom?”
“You hush. You boys will eat up all the food, but you have no idea all the work that goes into prepping it. Zah is a good girl and she came to the rescue,” Mrs. Fran says.
Bentley laughs as he begins to sway with me in his arms. He doesn’t release me as his mom stares at us with a smile on her face. I begin to feel a little shy as I feel her gaze on us.
“You two are so adorable together. It warms my heart to see it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this, Bent,” Mrs. Fran says.
“I’ve never been in love like this,” he croons and kisses the top of my head.
“Aw, I love that, but you’re going to have to let her go so she can finish those dishes. Now get,” she laughs.
“Actually, I was looking for you for a reason. Baker, Gilbert, and the gang are all heading to the field for a game. Garret, Eddy, and I are riding over to join.”
“Gilbert Manning? Wow, I haven’t seen him since before I left for freshman year.”
“So you want to come with us?”
“Yeah, but this is going to take some time to finish.” I pout.
“Girl, you have it smelling like I’m in here,” my mom says as she enters the kitchen.
“Hey, Mom. How’s your wrist?”
“It’s going to be fine enough for me to finish what you started. You go on and hang with your friends. I’ve got Fran, your father can help me lift a pan or pot or two.”
