The only depressing part about it was I didn’t know if I’d be here permanently for the events. If I took the position and went back to The Hills, I’d have to come back to Jasper Lane for the first Soulful Sunday, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. It felt like I was about to give birth and just give my baby to someone else. While I hadn’t planned to be as hands on with things as I had been for Grounds 4 Love, I’d enjoyed all that I’d done so far. I was looking forward to baking and the events Hajiand I had lined up, but were they enough of a reason for me to stay?
19
Haji
Zoe had reached peak inner child state. Seeing her interact with her parents was one thing, but taking them to the summer festival had brought out a side of her I hadn’t been able to experience yet. She went from one game or ride to another. Her dad played games and won her gifts while her mom babied and spoiled her. I played the background and let them do their thing. More than anything, I was just happy to see her so happy and loved.
While I understood where her parents were coming from, I was glad they agreed to coming around more. Zoe wasn’t the kind of woman living a life that needed to be hidden from her parents. She wanted them close, and it seemed like she was finally going to get that.
“That way, you can come see us in Memphis, and we can come here and visit you. When do you plan on getting an apartment here?” her mother, Myra, asked.
I hadn’t been paying much attention to their conversation, but I picked up enough to know they were making plans on when they’d see her again as we headed toward the food court.
“I can definitely come to Memphis. I’m not sure I’ll be getting an apartment here though. I don’t know if I’ll be staying here or going back to Rose Valley Hills.”
“Is this about that man?” Ethan asked.
“No, Daddy, and please don’t bring him up in front of Haji, or he’ll get an attitude,” Zoe replied, and as much as I wanted to tell her that was wrong, I could understand why she felt that way. I wouldn’t necessarily say I got an attitude; I just didn’t want to talk about his ass. The promotion may have been a real offer, but I still didn’t trust him. Even if he did want her to continue to work with him, I knew he wanted her back romantically too.
“Oh, you don’t like him, son?” Ethan asked me, cheesing like we’d just gained a common enemy.
“I don’t know him to say I don’t like him, but I don’t like the way he’s treated my woman. Fuck it. I don’t like him.”
Her parents laughed while Zoe bashfully covered her face.
“Why don’t you like him, baby?” Myra asked, wrapping her arm around Zoe’s, showing me where she got that shit from.
“He doesn’t seem sincere to me, and he’s selfish. I don’t trust him with her in any capacity, but I trust her enough to be able to handle herself.” When I noticed Zoe’s posture stiffen, I added, “Let’s not talk about that though. Y’all are here to have fun. What y’all want to eat?”
When they all started rattling off different things, Ethan and I decided to grab several things for the table so we could all indulge. While we purchased the items, Zoe and Myra found a table and got comfortable. It wasn’t until we were making our first trip over to the table with the food that Ethan said, “You love my daughter, don’t you?”
“With all of my heart.”
“What you gonna do if she leaves?”
“Let her,” I said. “And I’m not saying she’s not worth the fight or the work, but after hearing about what she’s dealt with over the last ten years, I’m just not willing to put my desires on her. If she chooses to stay, I’ll make sure she never regrets it a day of her life. If she leaves, I’ll be here if and when she decides to come back.”
“Between me and you, I never liked Raymond. When she told me he proposed, I cried and prayed God would separate him from my daughter. I thought He’d done just that when she came here. Now, I don’t know what the hell she’s going to do.”
“Well, I trust she’ll make the right decision. I think she believes she’ll be happy there, but she won’t. What she’s building here has given her a lot, and I don’t think she will give that up easily. If she can get over the ideal life she thought she would have and surrender to what truly makes her happy, she’ll stay here.”
“Is that right?” Myra asked as we set the food on the table. “Ethan, Zoe’s been baking for the coffee shop. Can you believe that?”
“I can but I also cannot. I remember she said she was going to bake for her sister, but that was the last I heard of it. How are you liking it?”
“I don’t like it; I love it,” Zoe said as she beamed. “And the customers do too. I think it’s my favorite thing to do here.” Her eyes landed on mine before she added, “Outside of spending time with Haji.”
I shot her a wink that made her blush.
“Well, you’ll have to bake us something to take with us when we leave,” Ethan said.
“Of course! I’ll make dessert for dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Young tomorrow too. You’re gonna love them. They’re so funny, kind, and sweet. Just like GG.”
“GG huh?” Myra repeated with a chuckle, bumping her daughter’s shoulder. “Yeah. You love that man.”
“Ma! You promised you wouldn’t embarrass me.”
“I’m not embarrassing you. You should never be embarrassed by love if you’re giving it to the right man.”
