He did his best not to let the sewing machine land with a thud. He dusted off his hands and perused the rest of the room.
“Are you ready to assemble the couches now?”
His sister had suggested a new layout for the workshop so that they could use some of the space to post clothing online as needed. And his sister’s ideas usually turned into his job to implement. He had a couple of hours to assemble a love seat and two side chairs before he started his shift.
They could have ordered something assembled, but this specific design was the aesthetic his sister wanted, so here he was. At least he had the chance to talk to his mom.
“I guess you’re going to get your way.”
“Don’t I always?” She cackled. She sat on a stool and pulled out scissors. As she cut a slit in the top of one box, he pushed the larger one over.
“Me being here is evidence of that.”
She sucked her teeth and handed him the scissors.
“What I mean is ... remember how you wanted to meet my girlfriend?”
“Yesss...” She raised an eyebrow but didn’t look up.
“Even though I tried to talk her out of it, she actually wants to meet with you too.”
His mother sat up, a pleased smile on her face. “She wants to meet with little old me?”
“Mom, don’t give me that look. And stop blinking your eyes. She wants to meet you before the wedding, and I recruited her to help plan the renewal. And you know exactly why you want to meet with her.”
“Do I?”
“Yes ... and I don’t know how quickly you do, but please behave.”
“I always do. Who do you think I am?”
“A mother who wants the best for her son. And currently, the best is not only for me to get my test over with so I can help you expand our kingdom into all clothing sectors, but you also want me to marry a chess-level-strategic spouse and produce grandchildren for you who will carry on the Anruchi name.”
“Oh, wow, you have been listening. I am impressed.”
“Our relationship may not even last, but please, again, don’t scare her.”
His mom pulled a plastic-wrapped chair piece out of the box. “Okay, son. Whatever you say.”
“You don’t sound very convincing.”
“How I sound is none of your business. But I am convinced that you never know the where and the ways that God will provide a wife.”
Solomon narrowed his eyes, not sure if that computed in his brain, but there was no use fighting it, for now.
19
IF SHE SQUINTEDhard enough, Kenya could see the light at the end of this terribly annoying physical therapy tunnel. Or maybe a sliver of a door. Or a glimmer? At the very least, a sparkle. She desperately needed that sparkle. Ankle therapy three times a week wasn’t for the faint of heart.
“Thank you again, Jermaine.”
She scooted to the edge of the exercise bench, thankful to feel the strength coming back into her ankle, outweighing the ache bit by bit.
“Always a pleasure, Kenya.” He helped her off the padded surface. “Solomon told me he gave you some bouncy balls to practice with. How are those exercises going?”
“Gripping.” She grinned.
He chuckled. “That’s what I like to hear. Remember to keep doing those at home.” He walked her around the corner of the open therapy room, through the door of the waiting area. “Now, your doctor is waiting.”
