“Welcome to my crib. Please come in. I hope you’re hungry because I made enough to allow for seconds if you want them.”
“Ooh. It smells so good in here. I am definitely hungry,” Caziya says, cutting me off when she enters the foyer.
“Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells.” Unable to resist, I take her hand, interlocking our fingers as I lead her toward the kitchen.
A jittery yet electrifying feeling courses through my body the longer our hands connect, forcing me to focus on the floor so I don’t stumble. The feeling is one I have never experienced before, making me appreciate this simple action.
“Well, hello, pretty girl,” Caziya says, instantly releasing my hand when we enter the kitchen and she sees Zakiyah.
I fight the frown, begging for clearance from the disconnect of our hands as I watch with rapt attention when Kiki waves excitedly upon seeing Caziya.
“Hi, Pwitty,” Zakiyah gushes.
Without prompting or permission from me, Caziya lifts Zakiyah out of her booster and hugs her body. My chest damn near caves when Kiki’s little arms wrap about Caziya’s neck as the two embrace. My eyes are frozen in place, and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth while watching the display before me.
“So, what’s on the menu tonight?” Caziya asks, turning to look at me with Kiki still in her arms.
“I’m—uh, sorry. I didn’t have anyone to watch her, but I hope you don’t mind.”
“Oh, you don’t have to apologize or say anything else. You’re a father, so I totally get it, and I was hoping I’d get to see this cutie patootie. So again, what are you feeding us?”
Damn. Marry me, woman.
It takes me a second to catch up with what’s happening when my brain repeats the weakest proposal known to man that I have to fight to push through.
“Uh—I—um—I made creamy garlic chicken, broccoli, and loaded mashed potatoes. I also made some brownies that we can put over vanilla ice cream if you’re up for that,” I say once my brain is capable of communicating properly.
“Sounds good. How about this? Tell me where everything is, and I can make plates for the three of us. After all, you cooked, so the least I can do is that.”
Before she can finish her statement, I shake my head and frown because there is no way she’s going to do anything but enjoy being a guest in my home.
“See, this is where we need to establish some ground rules. Whenever you visit, I simply ask that you enjoy our company. If you can help Kiki wash her hands, I’ll get plates together, and we can eat. I have wine, juice, water, Tahitian Treat, or Pepsi. What would you like to drink?”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“Completely. I got this. The bathroom is down the hall on your right, or you can wash y’all’s hands at the sink.”
“Okay. I’ll take Tahitian Treat.” Placing Kiki on her feet, she takes her hand and leaves the kitchen toward the half bath.
I walk to the cupboard and retrieve two plates and a small saucer for Kiki, then go through the process of putting food on each one. Kiki gets a small portion of everything except the mashed potatoes, as she has never been a fan, so I’m not going to waste my time giving her any. Twenty minutes later, dinner is moving along, and I’m enjoying the banter between Caziya and me.
“I want some, Pwitty,” Kiki says to Caziya while pointing to her mashed potatoes, causing my mouth to hang open from the expectancy of the request.
You’ve got to be shitting me. Kiki has never enjoyed mashed potatoes, let alone loaded ones, and now she’s asking to try some. What the entire hell is happening right now?
“Okay.” Caziya takes a small scoop of loaded mashed potatoes and puts it in Zakiyah’s mouth, and my eyes widen when my daughter not only eats the bite but also moans after consuming it.
“Alright, that’s it. You’re gonna have to come over for every dinnertime,” I say, causing Caziya to look at me with curious eyes.
“Why?”
“She doesn’t like those, but you must have some kind of powers that I don’t have because she ate and enjoyed them.”
My eyes bounce from Caziya to Zakiyah, who’s dancing in her seat, oblivious to the strife she’s causing within me.
“Hm. That’s interesting. Let’s see if she’ll eat some more.” Pulling her gaze from me, Caziya scoops another small bite of potatoes and offers it to Zakiyah, who heartily eats it without complaint.
Well, I’ll be damned. I guess Kiki no longer has an aversion to mashed potatoes.
