Kenya clapped her hands together. “Now look at what God provided through you, Dr. Solomon. This night was just what he knew I needed.”
Solomon laughed. “Our lane is to the far right. I’m going to head to the bathroom, and you can meet us there.”
Before he walked off, he noticed Kenya lift both hands to form what looked like the letter W when her thumbs touched. She dropped her left and kept her right hand up.
He chuckled and headed to the restroom.
The ladies joined them a few minutes later. “Well, well, what do we have here? Recruits?” Of course, Ben would be the first to notice the ladies, walk—er, and limp—up. “Haven’t I seen you somewhere?”
Kenya grinned, giving everyone a little bow. “Yes, I think I remember you from my cousin’s wedding, right?” She flashed her grin around the approach area of the lane. “It’s not every day that I get to bowl with almost strangers, my bestie Dedra, and my doctor-chauffeur.”
Ben’s eyes bounced between Kenya and Solomon.
Solomon closed his eyes and shook his head. Too much to explain. Kenya greeted the other guys while Dedra gave a shy wave.
Solomon stepped up to Ben. “Maybe I should have thought this through. What is the relationship status of these guys? Am I going to stir up trouble because I invited the ladies to join us?”
Ben shrugged. “Nah, the only one who is married is Elliot, and his wife pushed him out of the house so she could have a ladies’ night of her own. But for the rest of us, the field is open.”
Solomon squinted at his comment. “What are you talking about, bro? You have a girlfriend.”
“Exactly, and you don’t. But looks like I made you jealous enough to care.”
The rest of the crew stayed respectful, engaging the women in conversation and helping Kenya polish off the massive amount of food she ordered. Solomon wondered if she’d planned it that way from the beginning. There was this generous streak in her that he was noticing. Even with her mobile limitations, she engaged with the guys as if they were long-lost cousins. At least, that was the box he assumed she put them in—or hoped she did.
When her name came up next to bowl, she pumped her fists, eliciting chuckles from the group. She brushed off their efforts to help and hobbled to the lane with her six-pound ball. Solomon wasn’t quite sure when he’d made the move toward her until he was standing next to her.
“You know, I should send you to the principal’s office for being here.”
Kenya barely turned to him. She positioned the bowling ball in her hand, her stance slightly comical with her foot propped out. “Please don’t do that. I’ve been in that office plenty of times.”
“Oh, so you were a problem child, then.”
“I guess you could say that. It was hard for anyone to fit me into the box of a normal school day.”
She swung her right arm, practicing her motion. “Not to mention the fact that my mom is actually a principal. So, no, please, for the love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, do not send me there. To her, I should be in bed for the next four weeks.”
“Well, then, at least let one of us help you.”
“This goes against my MO.”
Solomon stayed silent.
She sighed. “Okay, Doctor, this is not part of our deal, but if you want to stay there just in case I tip over, go right on ahead. Just remember that they are watching.”
She paused, slanting her eyes at him. “But I guess that’s the point of this, isn’t it?”
To be honest, his main concern was his parents, not his peers. But he didn’t confirm or deny her words, just stayed by her side.
They must’ve made an awkward-looking pair—her hobbling toward the lane, him shuffling after her. Standing behind her like a shield. That position felt too right to be comfortable. He took a step back.
Kenya cleared her throat.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am, but I would rather you not be so close behind me as I show off my bowling skills.”
He took a larger step back and to the side to give her ample room to bend and bowl.
