“It’s so good. They all hit but the oxtail one smacks,” he says, nodding.
“I’m torn between that one and the lobster mac. We’re both going to be in his pockets tonight,” she says, then winks, causing Quise to grin.
“Pops got it,” he says with a shrug.
“Got what?” Akeem asks.
“The check,” Quise says matter of factly.
“How about you pay?” Akeem offers.
“I can if we all get water and share a kid’s meal,” Quise says before speeding up to reach the door. He holds it open for Sunjiya until she enters, earning a proud nod from his dad.
The House of Mac is a popular spot, but luckily they are seated in less than fifteen minutes. A spot clears and they sit at a half-booth, half-table spot by the window. Akeem and Quise know exactly what they want but Sunjiya is a little indecisive about the delicious looking selections. When she finally decides on the colossal lump crab mac, Akeem hands Quise his credit card to place their orders at the counter.
The moment Quise is out of his seat, Akeem shifts his body to face Sunjiya. He takes the moment to try and read her, study her face, see if her smile is genuine and not forced. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she’d found out her sister was dead and she’d killed a man. Separately, each incident is a lot to deal with, together they are big ass deals, conceivably devastating.
“If you wasn’t good, would you tell me?” he asks genuinely.
While nodding, she replies, “I would but I’m really fine. Today has been perfection and meeting your charming and handsome son has only made it better.” She places her hand onthe back of his neck. While gently caressing, she adds, “Akeem, I’m good and if I wasn’t, you’d be the first to know.”
Quise returns to the booth holding a silver table stand emblazoned with number fifty-two, two cups of ice, and three cans of soda. After placing the items on the table, he returns to the counter to grab another cup of ice and rolled napkins with silverware.
“I didn’t know if you needed hot sauce or anything,” he says to Sunjiya. “If you do, you can tell them when they bring the food.”
“Thank you. I don’t think I’m going to need hot sauce though.”
Before sitting down, Quise hands the receipt and credit card back to his dad. After opening his soda and pouring it over the ice. He looks over at Sunjiya and his dad. Noticing her hand on his neck and his hand on her thigh, Quise smiles. While he’s seen his mom with a few dudes, he’s never seen his dad this affectionate with a woman before. It’s cool, really cool actually, and he likes seeing it.Pops deserves this.
“I was thinking,” Quise says after taking a sip.
“And what you thinking?” Akeem asks, amused already.
“It’s time for me to have my own real credit card,” Quise announces.
“Did you turn eighteen and I missed that shit?” Akeem asks.
“Pops! Fifteen is the new eighteen. My generation is a little more advanced than y’all were back in the day,” Quise explains. Akeem shakes his head and Sunjiya grins amusedly.
“Back in the day?” Akeem repeats.
“Yeah. I wasn’t born in the nineteen hundreds like you,” Quise says and Sunjiya’s grin morphs into full blown laughter.
“He has a point.”
“Barely in the nineteen hundreds,” Akeem counters, then chuckles too.This boy!After raising it and flipping it over foremphasis, Akeem places his credit card in his pocket. “Keep talking shit and you might not see one until you can afford one on your own,” he teases. Building Quise’s credit is essential, which is why the house is in his name. He’s also getting a credit card for his eighteenth birthday.
“I’m done,” Quise says while holding his hand up in defense.
“I don’t want to get in your business, Quise, but have you figured out how you’re gonna ask Talesia to the homecoming dance?” Sunjiya asks.
“I think I’m going to have one of my friends make a sign or something. I don’t really got time to do much and Kassa is cool; she’ll make a sign.”
“Do y’all have a class together?” she asks.
“Yes, ma’am. Fourth period.”
“Do it then, in front of the class. Girls like to feel real special,” she says and he nods as she speaks.
