Kwame set the groceries on the counter, and Kay’Lo immediately started pullin’ things out while Treasure washed her hands and tied her hair back.
Kay’Lo reached into one of the bags and pulled out a bottle of expensive liquor.
“What’s this?” he asked, already lookin’ at his father.
Kwame took it from him and held it up. “I brought it from home.”
Kay’Lo smirked and grabbed a couple glasses from the cabinet without sayin’ much.
Treasure glanced over her shoulder. “Y’all behave.”
Kwame stepped closer to her and kissed her cheek. “We will.”
Kay’Lo came over to me next. His hand slid over my stomach, and he kissed me slow on the lips before rubbin’ my belly again.
“Don’t start nothin’ in here without me,” he muttered low, half playin’, half serious.
I rolled my eyes. “Go.”
He grinned, and him and Kwame walked out back together, takin’ the bottle with them.
The door shut behind them, and the kitchen felt quieter but not tense.
Treasure dried her hands and turned toward the counter. Then she started preparin’ everything.
She had brought everything to make stew, and the kitchen started fillin’ with that smell before it even finished cookin’.
Chunks of beef hit the pot first, seared down until they browned deep and rich, and then she added diced onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, celery, and fresh thyme. She poured in beef broth and added bay leaves, black pepper, paprika, and a lil’ bit of tomato paste for depth. The pot simmered low while the vegetables softened and the smell wrapped around the whole house like comfort.
While she worked, she blended me a smoothie without even askin’ what I wanted. She used frozen mango, pineapple, spinach, banana, almond milk, chia seeds, and a spoonful of peanut butter. She always added somethin’ extra for me, somethin’ she said was good for the baby.
“Drink this,” she said, handin’ it to me.
I ain’t argue, ‘cause I loved the smoothies she made.
While I stood there drinkin’ it, I felt My’Love kick.
“Ooo,” I said, grabbin’ my stomach.
Treasure turned fast. “She movin’?”
“Yeah.”
She came over and placed her hand on my belly, rubbin’ it gently and shiftin’ her palm until she felt it herself. When My’Love kicked under her hand, Treasure’s face lit up, lookin’ just like Kay’Lo.
“My’Love,” she whispered, smilin’ so big her eyes crinkled.
We both laughed soft, talkin’ about how we couldn’t wait to meet her, and for a second I forgot about the tension that used to exist in this kitchen.
Eventually the day turned to night. The stew finished cookin’, thick and hearty, and Kay’Lo and Kwame reentered the kitchen from outside with glasses in their hands and the bottle of liquor.
They both looked lighter.
Whatever they talked about out there must have been good ‘cause the energy shift was obvious. Kay’Lo wasn’t stiff, and Kwame wasn’t distant.
We all sat down at the table together, and for the first time since I had married Kay’Lo, I ain’t feel like I was sittin’ across from somebody who doubted me.
Kay’Lo sat beside me and his hand found my belly under the table like it always did. He couldn’t help himself. His thumb rubbed slow circles over my stomach while we ate, and I let him ‘cause this was his way of stayin’ connected.
