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“Dad.”

“Delilah, it’s a good question.” Her mama spoke, taking a slice of Pita up to her mouth.

“Amir, you are in touch with your faith, correct?”

“Of course, I am.”

“Well, you do know that marriage is a sacred union, used as a strong foundation for your family and your child being brought into this world. Nadia and I have been married for thirty-five years, and I like to credit Delilah’s success and proper upbringing to the foundation we laid. You all have to think the same way, so marriage should be on the table as soon as possible.” He finished, and I nodded to let him know I was listening, but the subject he was speaking about was one that I had to think about by myself. Me and Delilah getting married hadn’t crossed my mind, and when it does, I’ll be the one to bring it up to them. Not the other way around.

We finished breakfast listening to Delilah’s father preach to us about discipline, faith, and responsibility before we finally scraped the leftovers from our plates into the trash and dismissed ourselves from the table. I went back downstairs into Delilah’s room and finished getting dressed, putting on the chains, watches, and rings that I didn’t want to wear in front of her parents.

“What’s on your agenda this morning? Want to go to your friends shop and get another tattoo? I think I’m ready for more now.” Delilah asked while sitting on the edge of the bed.

Delilah had been against tattoos for most of her life until she randomly asked me to take her to get one weeks ago. She saw a saying she loved,

“Today I choose to be strong,” which she put on the inside of her forearm to symbolize her fight against lupus. I was happy she took that step. I was happy that she was showing hope and resilience. I needed her to be strong more now than ever.

“I can’t do the tattoo thing this morning. Scotty’s shop is always busy on Saturdays. Plus, I have a business meeting in about thirty minutes.”

“Dang, I was hoping to be with you for a while today. My mother and father are going to the laundromat on the east side, and I really don’t want to be home alone this morning.”

“What about your friends? Dee can’t come keep you company?”

“Maybe, but I would much rather be with you. What kind of business is it that you are handling? You think I don’t know how to act or something?”

I exhaled because I already felt another line of questions about to start.

“Just come, Delilah. I guess you can sit in on this meeting, then I can bring you back here.”

Her face instantly lit up, and she stood to her feet quickly. My first stop this morning was going to Lane Bishelli’s office, and it wouldn’t hurt for her to come.

“Wait, is this anything that could get me and you locked up?”

I smacked my lips.

“If it were some shit like that, I wouldn’t have told you to come. I have to handle some shit with the family lawyer.”

“Oh, okay. Is it about the estate?”

“Yeah, and honestly, I’ll be happy when this shit is over.”

“I know you will, but let me get dressed.” She walked into the closet humming.

A few minutes later, she had put on her Hijab and outside clothing, then she followed me out to my car.

We took off, and by the time we were halfway to the office building, Delilah reached over and turned the music down low enough for conversation.

“Baby, have you thought about what you’re going to invest in when you get all of that money? I’m sure Mecca left you a good amount, considering you are his last living son.”

“Nah, I haven’t. Shit, what money.” The sarcastic response alarmed her because she had concern over her face now.

“Wait, did he leave you anything, babe?”

“Yeah, he did, but I don’t want it. That’s what this meeting with Bishelli is about.”

Delilah burst out laughing like I had just told a joke.

“What’s funny?” I raised an eyebrow.