Adanne nodded, her cheeks rising.
“And it is good to see. You’re still here, still you, but with more than we could have imagined.”
“Why? Because I married an actor?”
“Naw, because he had the sense to marryyou. Will y’all just tell me ahead of time when y’all decide to start having babies? I need to prepare myself for the overload of cuteness and for the amazing baby shower I will host. Can you even imagine it? Little Stewart-Pope babies all over the place. Their own monogrammed everything, trust funds, and social media accounts.”
Kenya laughed and blocked the pillow Adanne threw at her with the one she held.
“Um, that is an absolute no. And don’t you dare get ahead of yourself. John’s mom is already asking when she is getting grandbabies from us.” Adanne’s sigh spoke of joy and anticipation, no matter how much she tried to deflect it. “So, what aboutyou, cousin? What is for you in this season?”
Kenya chewed on those words. Let them roll around her head a little longer and soothe those inner raw places. Whatwasfor her in this season? There was hope in those words, if only she had the eyes to see it. “That’s just it. I’m not really sure.”
Adanne’s eyes widened. She looked around nervously and glanced back at the door. “Maybe your sisters are still in the driveway. Maybe I can catch them.”
Kenya laughed. “Why is that?”
“Because I need witnesses to attest to what you’re saying. You mean to tell me you are notreally sure? Kenya, you’ve been sure about everything since toddlerhood. At least, the way you’ve always jumped into every opportunity never left any doubt.”
“Not much jumping to be had in the near future, though.”
Adanne laughed at her pointed expression. “You know what I mean, and I know that an injury is not enough to stop you.”
She wanted to say that maybe Adanne didn’t know her as wellas she thought. Because all the confidence she wielded only covered the inadequacies and insecurities that seemed to latch on to her every step. But after her stumble, there seemed to be no going back to the rhythm she had before.
“Okay, I’m sorry, you are serious. Iknewsomething was wrong.”
Kenya really didn’t want to have a full-out therapy session on her cousin’s couch. “It’s nothing that is too big of a deal. Just job stuff and therapy stuff.” And weird wedding-date-deal stuff.
“As in, therapy with that handsome doctor?”
“Who told you that?”
“I have my sources.”
“Well, he’s not my official doctor. Kind of against the rules. But he is helping.” Kenya shook her head. “Boy, things travel fast in Hope Springs.”
“Who are you telling?”
They laughed. Things didn’t seem to stay under wraps for too long in their town. Before Adanne could pick up the conversation again, Kenya struggled to stand up. “I’ll help you put everything away by making myself some to-go plates to take with me.”
Adanne stood up with a side-eye. Kenya ignored it. Her cousin sighed and hugged Kenya to her side. “Come on, I already have Tupperware with your name on it.”
They headed to the kitchen and worked silently for a few moments, a jazzy lo-fi mix in the background as they put food away.
“Tell me this.” Adanne dried her dish water–soaked hands on a piece of paper towel. “Why would it be against the rules for Solomon to be your doctor?” She pulled out the trash drawer and tossed the paper towel in it like a basketball. “It shouldn’t matter if you are just a client.”
“But that’s just it. I don’t know what I am.”
Adanne placed a hand on her chest, tipping her head down in surprise. “What do you mean? Are you and Solomon—”
“Yes, no!” Kenya groaned. “I don’t know. I really don’t.”
Adanne put her finger up and walked over to an upper cabinet.She pulled out a long, narrow wooden box. Kenya could see square paper pouches neatly stacked together through the glass cover. After setting the box on the counter, Adanne started rummaging around in the bottom cabinets.
“Adanne, what are you doing?” Kenya watched her, confused.
Adanne filled a kettle with water and then placed it on the stove. She clicked on the burner, the ticking and then release of flames drawing Kenya close to her cousin.
