I stared out the window so I could avoid the way she was looking at me. “I spent five minutes with her. And she was just being kind. Lamar and I are friends.”
“So you’ve been on two dates with him, and he already introduced you to his mother?” Monica asked. “That doesn’t sound like ‘just friends’ to me.”
My aunt sucked her teeth. “She claims that first date wasn’t a date, but you should’ve seen the way her face was lit up talking about their outing.”
Monica slowed to a stop. “I always think that if you meet people who light you up, they are worth keeping around.”
“And you get along with his mother.” Aunt Addy made a humming noise. “Match made in heaven.”
I shook my head. “Are you two done? This is too much!”
They just laughed.
We went to the spa and spent the afternoon getting a massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure. Between the hair appointment and the spa day, we were starving. We stopped at a fast-food restaurant to pick up an early dinner and then headed back to the house.
“Let’s eat in front of the TV so we can relax a little more,” Aunt Addy suggested.
We agreed without hesitation, and the three of us got set up in the living room. I knew it was more comfortable for her to be in her recliner. As hungry as I was, my food was going to be finished in no time, so I didn’t care where we ate.
“This is delicious,” my aunt gushed.
“Yes, indeed,” Monica replied.
I nodded as I popped a fry into my mouth.
When we were done, we were all exhausted.
“I’ll clean up,” I announced, grabbing the trash from everyone. “I’m going to take a shower, and then I’ll be back.”
“Thank you, Jazz.”
I showered, put on my pajamas, and then walked in on Aunt Addison and Monica cackling over a reality TV show.
“Oh! I just noticed my phone has been on silent all day,” Aunt Addy told us as Monica helped her into the wheelchair.
I went to the kitchen to throw everything in the trash, and I heard Rose’s voice coming from her voicemail. Aunt Addy checked her messages on speakerphone, and I laughed to myself as her best friend accused her of being a harlot because of the book she suggested for their book club. The next couple of voicemails were from other friends. The fourth was from the rehab facility to schedule an outpatient home visit. The fifth message was her doctor’s office, reminding her of her appointment tomorrow. As I was walking through the living room, the next voicemail stopped me in my tracks.
“Hello, Ms. Payne. How’re you doing? I know this is a bit unusual, but my name is Lamar Anderson. You met my mother, Gwendolyn Brooks, at her salon this morning, and I hope you don’t mind, but she gave me your number. I lost my phone in Dubai, and I lost everything in it—including your niece’s number. My number is the same, so if you could please ask her to call me, I would appreciate it. Thank you.”
My heart thumped in my chest, and I stared at her phone as if looking hard enough would make him appear. The message ended, and it switched to another message from Rose, but I didn’t hear a word. I couldn’t stop thinking about the message from Lamar.
And they couldn’t stop talking about it.
“I’m going to my room,” I announced, backing out of the living room.
“I know what you better be doing,” Aunt Addy teased. “Calling Lamar!”
“Oh absolutely!” Monica chimed in.
I shook my head and closed the bedroom door behind me.
Taking a deep breath, I called Lamar.
“Hello?” he answered on the second ring.
“Hi. It’s Jazz.”
“Jazz.” His smile was evident. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
