“Is that a YSL?!”
Favour drew back her hand at Kenya’s exclamation.
Siri,set an alarm for a future face-palm.When would she learn to be patient and rein in her words? Of course it was a Saint Laurent purse. The logo was right there.
Kenya sat down and stuck out her hand. “Sorry about that. How are you?”
Mrs. Anruchi shook her hand hesitantly and then placed both of hers back on the table.
“You like this brand. Do you have any pieces yourself?”
Kenya flexed her hands. “I do like it, but it is more than my budget can afford.”
After placing an order for coffee for herself and tea for his mother, Kenya offered an inviting smile. She had to shake off the awkward and get this conversation going. And try not to squirm under Favour’s penetrating gaze.
“So, Solomon tells me that you guys are in the clothing business.”
His mother looked at her in surprise. “He told you all that, did he?”
“Yes, is that okay? I mean he hasn’t gone into details, but it sounded like one of those Etsy shops I see with all those custom-made outfits for weddings and special occasions.”
His mother narrowed her eyes, not suspiciously but as if she was choosing her words carefully. “Yes, we do work on clothing for very special occasions.” Her smile was tight.
Kenya leaned forward, her hands flailing. “But I would love to hear more about how things are going, and maybe there are some ideas that I can give that could be helpful.”
“Oh, I’m sure you could.” Her smile was polite, though it didn’t seem like she agreed. “No need to talk about me or whatwedo. I came here to meet with you, dear Kenya. I hear that you are skilled in business and marketing yourself?”
“Yesss, I think so. I work on events of all kinds.”
“‘Work on’—what does that mean?”
Kenya felt like she was under a microscope, but she willed her sweat to soak back into her body and not through her shirt.
“I help plan and coordinate events according to the specifications of the client. And a lot of times we get to help build and implement something from the ground up.” Oh, Lord, let every professional and smarty-pants word she knew come.
“Our agency has an amazing portfolio of well-known clients with large events and also smaller ones. I have been able to take the lead on several local ones that have had great impact. I don’tknow if you knew this, but my cousin is married to an actor, and I’ve been able to help coordinate some of the things that they have put together.”
If she thought Favour would be impressed, she was wrong. Mrs. Anruchi just clapped her hands together and nodded as if Kenya had put together a child’s birthday party versus something for a well-known figure. In fact, her demeanor gave off the tone that she was well accustomed to associating with people of high influence and stature. Maybe it was the Nigerian part. Solomon also seemed to carry himself in that way, except he definitely smiled more, a lot more.
Kenya was relieved when their drinks came. The waiter also set down a bowl of puff-puff, rounded balls of fried dough that looked like doughnuts but denser.
She picked one up.
“Lord Jesus, we thank you.”
Kenya paused mid-bite as Favour continued praying.
“We thank you for this time together. For your merciful grace and favor. For your mercies that are new every morning.”
She paused, and Kenya inched the pastry closer to her mouth.
“I pray that you would bless this food.”
Kenya lowered the puff-puff.
“Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies. We thank you for the hands that prepared it and that as we eat and drink, no evil will befall us. I pray that you would cause us to continue to flourish in your name, and no weapon formed against us will prosper, in Jesus’ name.”
Kenya slid open one eye. It looked like the plane was landing.
