Page 76 of Meet Me on Greenwood

After lunch, we found ourselves in the confectionary at the Williams Building. I’d had no idea it was attached to the Theater, but I guess sweet shops didn’t make it into the textbooks. I was busy devouring a plate of sweet potato pie with a small dollop of butter pecan ice cream when Charles asked Rita the question.

"So, tell me about your hobbies? Do you do bible study?"

"Have you met my mother?" Rita grimaced. "We practically live at bible study."

She was being polite. Rita had been overly polite all day, but I’d been around her enough to know better, and, after the connection I saw last night between she and Bernie, I was feeling a bit sorry for her.

"Tell us more about yourself," she said changing the subject. "How did you end up at Morehouse?"

Charles grinned, relieved the conversation had shifted to himself again. "They have an excellent law program there. I’m studying to be an attorney."

That peaked Rita’s interest. "Civil rights?"

"No. I want to be a tax attorney."

Rita deflated at that, though Charles, to his credit, didn’t seem to notice. He was not a bad man. He was attentive, and well-mannered, and would give someone a comfortable life. He just wasn’t the right person for the woman sitting across from him. I imagine her dismissiveness would have been easier if he’d been awful.

My thoughts shifted to the previous night. The rain, Houston's thumb moving across my knuckles, the way I had closed the distance to start something I knew we couldn’t finish.

I understood the choice Rita was facing more than I wanted to. I’d been making decisions to please my parents all my life. Watching her struggle felt like I was looking into a mirror.

Rita took a drag of her milkshake and shook it at him. "I’d really love another, Charles."

"Right away, Ms. Rita. Do you want chocolate again?"

She quirked her mouth and looked pointedly in my direction. "What do you think Gema? Should I get chocolate again, or should I venture into vanilla this time?"

I looked up, a bite of pie in my mouth, and nearly choked.

"Are you okay, Gema?" Charles asked with grave concern. He really was a nice man.

I met Rita’s gaze. "I think, you should choose what you’d like. Whether it is chocolate, or chocolate with vanilla swirl, you still seem to be partial to chocolate."

Rita dropped her spoon and glared at me.

"I’m confused," Charles said, looking between us. "Should I get chocolate or not?"

Rita put her mask back into place. "I’ve changed my mind. I think I overdid it on the sweets. Perhaps, you should take us home."

Charles looked disappointed, but said, "Of course. We’ve been out for hours. I’m sure you have church tonight."

Rita gathered her gloves. "I have church every night."

Charles dropped us off, and I walked to the front door to give them privacy as they said their goodbyes. To my shock, Rita reached out to him to give him a kiss. It was a quick meeting of lips, but it seemed to shock Charles. It certainly shocked me.

She waved goodbye and walked past me into the house without another word. After she ran up the stairs, Camille peered out from the study.

"That seemed to go well," she said with a smile. "What did she think of him?"

I shrugged. "You would have to ask her."

She clapped her hands together. "I knew it. We are going to have a wedding before we know it. C.J.!" she called, dancing back into the study. "She likes him!"

I moved up the stairs and wasn’t at all surprised to see Rita’s door closed. I knocked.

"Can I come in?"

There was no response. I knocked once more.