Page 8 of Desire

“How long are you planning to sit out here?” my father, Deakin, yelled from the front door.

“I was on a call,” I lied as I stepped out of my car.

He waited for me to reach him and extended his arms for a hug. I inhaled his manly scent and allowed his embrace to calm my nerves, if only for a moment.

“Your mother just finished dinner. Come on inside so we can eat.”

He moved to the side, giving me space to enter. As soon as I was inside, a mouth-watering aroma hit my nose.

“Whew, that smells good. What did you cook?” I asked my mother, Sarah, when I reached the kitchen.

“I had a taste for lasagna, so I quickly threw one together. I made a salad and some garlic bread, too.”

“My stomach is growling. Is it ready?”

“Sure is. Go wash your hands, and I’ll set the table.”

Since I was single with no family, I had dinner at my parents’ house a few times a week. Even when I didn’t come over, my mother packed some of their leftovers for me to pick up the next day. I’d miss this part of being single.

We sat down for dinner a few minutes later, and my father blessed the food. After filling our plates and taking a few bites, I made small talk because I was nervous.

“Did I ever tell y’all that the mayor’s daughter was one of my students?” I asked, avoiding the topic I was there to discuss.

“I think you may have mentioned it,” my mother said.

“He was late picking her up a few times last week. It actually happens more often than it should. Anyway, he asked if I’d watch her after school a few nights a week.”

“Seems like he’d have a nanny for that kind of thing,” my father said.

“I thought so, too. When I asked him about someone on his staff picking her up, he said it wasn’t their responsibility.”

“And he wants to make it yours?” Ma questioned.

“I wouldn’t do it for free and could always use the extra money.”

“You wouldn’t have to worry about money if you’d stayed in law school,” my father mumbled, but I heard him clearly.

“Of course I would because I’d have school loans regardless of my chosen career. Let’s not start that again, Dad. It’s been years, and I’m happy with my decision. Speaking of decisions, I’m getting married.”

My parents froze as they lifted the fork to their mouths.

“Excuse me?”

“What did you say?”

They both questioned me.

“I’m getting married tomorrow, and I’d love for you to be there.”

“Is this a prank? Are your sisters somewhere recording our reaction to put on social media?” My father looked around suspiciously as he questioned me.

“This isn’t a prank, Daddy. I’m serious.”

“Who is this man, and why haven’t we met him?” Ma asked.

“Because, umm…” I hesitated because once I told them everything, the shit was likely to hit the fan.

“Spit it out, Desire. Why haven’t we met the man you’re about to marry?” Daddy pressed.