“Hey, West. It’s good to see you, and I’m glad you’ve been taking care of my girl. You know Zina wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Oh trust me, I know. Monica told me if I ever tried to cheat on her, Zina would know and tell her.”
We all laughed, and that time, talking about my sister didn’t weigh me down. It actually felt good as hell. We talked a little while longer before I insisted they go inside and continue on with their day. Monica didn’t want to let me go, but I promised I’d reach out to her before I went back to Rose Valley Hills. When I made it to my car, I looked Jessica up on Facebook.
Memories flooded my mind as I looked over her page. Though it felt like my life had stopped, hers was flourishing. She was married with a beautiful baby boy and living her best life. I bit the bullet and sent her a message before leaving and heading to Haji’s place. Even though I was still renting my room since I’d paid for it for the full six weeks, I found myself wanting to be with him at his home more.
I thought I was going to be surprising Haji with the LEGO sets I’d purchased him, but I was the one in for a surprise. When I stepped into his kitchen and saw the Easy-Bake Oven with a bowon it, I dropped the bags and cried. Instantly, my knees grew weak, and had he not been behind me to catch me, I would have dropped.
It took me a while to stop being a blubbering mess, but Haji was patient with me. His soft laughter turned into him holding and rocking me before I was finally strong enough to stand and wipe my tears.
“You got that for me?” I confirmed, pointing toward it while looking back at him.
“I did. I don’t have to ask if you like it,” Haji said through his smile.
“I love it, babe. Thank you. This is the most intentional and considerate gift anyone has gotten me. I love you so much!”
My arms slung around his neck, and Haji wasted no time pulling me close as he hummed. “I love you too. And I loved getting this for you. I’m going to keep spoiling you, helping you heal, and making you happy for as long as you’ll let me.”
His actions and declarations were making it harder for me to even consider leaving Jasper Lane and going back home to Rose Valley Hills, but I couldn’t worry about that now. After washing my hands, I got busy with the Easy-Bake Oven. Haji thought he’d be able to put his new LEGO sets together, but that would have to wait. For now, he’d have to bake with me.
The whole time we did, excitement surged through me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so happy and carefree. By the time we were done, we’d made pretzels and chocolate chip cookies. I was so happy I took pictures and posted them on my social media after sending them to my parents.
Mama cried.
“Taste it,” I said, putting the cookie up to Haji’s mouth.
He looked so unsure I had to keep myself from laughing. With all the trust he could muster, he opened his mouth and let me feed him the cookie.
“Hm. Not the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. I think all the love you put in it is what makes it taste good.”
“Sounds about right,” I agreed with a smile before blurting, “Can you do a grocery order?”
He pulled back a smile as he eyed me. “Forrr what?”
“Uh. I . . .” Squeezing my fingers, I pulled in a deep breath. “I think I want to bake. For real.”
A slow smile spread his lips before he left the kitchen and returned with his phone. As I rattled off the ingredients I’d memorized by heart, that smile never left his face. We chilled and watched TV while we waited for the grocery order to arrive. This time, I needed to bake alone. Haji left me to my own devices after telling me he was proud of me.
While I let the bananas bake to ripen them, I wrestled with what I was about to do. What I was about to create. I talked to my sister for a moment until I felt like I had her strength. Then, I started.
The whole time I mixed and baked, I smiled and cried. It felt like the purest form of healing being back in the kitchen. Back at the stove. I played my jazz and lost myself in the ingredients, in the memories. By the time the loaves were still warm enough to enjoy but cool enough to slice, I tasted both and sobbed. They tasted just like they did the first time I made them. The first time Zina helped perfect my recipe with her damn cinnamon. After drying my eyes, I sliced Haji a piece of the regular banana bread and the one with chocolate chips.
I made my way into the living room, and at the sight of me with the plate, he tossed the book he was reading onto the couch and rubbed his hands together.
“You’re excited like you trust I know what I’m doing,” I teased.
“I know you do. Plus, it smells good as hell.”
I laughed as I sat next to him.
“Okay, so that’s regular banana bread, and that one has chocolate chips. Don’t lie if you don’t like them. Tell me the truth.”
“Yeah, yeah, aight,” he muttered, fingers dancing as he urged me to hand him the plate.
I watched him shove the whole piece of regular banana bread in his mouth. His eyes damn near rolled into the back of his head as he moaned and savored the taste.
“Well?”
