Page 103 of Big Britches
“Yeah. Out like a light. Food coma.”
Roz had made a sublime dinner of ham, butter beans, turnip greens, baked macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and peach cobbler. Titus had clued her in on his surprise for Pedro in advance, and she had insisted on a celebratory meal. The delicious aroma had permeated the house all afternoon, obliterating any memories of their fast-food lunch. When she and Shelly left—taking plenty for her own family—Titus, Tucker, and Pedro had gorged themselves. Afterward, they attempted to watch a movie but could barely hold their eyes open.
Pedro rolled over to his side and rubbed Titus’s full belly.
“Ooh. Don’t press too hard.”
“I guess sex is out of the question.”
Titus cut him some side-eye. “You know better than that. Just give me a half-hour to settle. If we’re still awake, I’ll be ready.”
“If we’re still awake, I’ll be surprised.”
They lay there still, silent for a while. Finally, Titus spoke. “You’ve been quiet about our proposed landscaping venture. Is everything OK?”
Pedro was tracing his finger on Titus’s chest. “I’m still processing it all. I’ve never been a business owner before. I’m not sure what it entails.”
“You just do what you do, keep making things beautiful. I’ll handle the rest. I was more of a silent partner with our printing business. Alden is going to swap places with me on this. We all have a third of the business, but his is more for investment.”
“But you had to put my share up for me.”
“Yeah. That's the wee bit of charity I mentioned.”
“It’s just… so much. I don’t know what to think.”
“Look. If it makes you feel better, you can pay me back down the road. But it’s unnecessary and I hope you come to realize that. I’m in this for the long haul. I love you, remember?”
Pedro draped his arm over Titus, resting his head on Titus’s shoulder. “Love you, too. Sorry it took a little longer to convince myself. I’m just not as brave as you. You make decisions much faster than me.”
“That’s a good partnership, don’t you think? Yin and yang. You’re methodical, I’m impulsive. You’re the brains, I’m the brawn. You’re beauty, I’m the beast.”
“Hardly. You’re a big pussycat.”
“Shh. Don’t tell anybody.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you enough.”
“I can think of a few ways.”
Pedro ignored the innuendo. “It’s not just the business, T. Everything… love, prosperity, the American dream at my fingertips.”
“And no worry,” Titus added.
“I’ve never had so much. You saw my belongings.”
“What’s mine is yours, including the business. I just need you here with me and Tucker. I never want that to change. You’re working toward citizenship again and you’re my partner, in multiple ways.”
“You’re very good at getting what you want,” Pedro teased, “weaving various ties to secure me to you.”
“It’s my secret plan.”
“It’s working.”
“Good.”
“A little overwhelming still, but working. What about customers?”
“That’s my job. We’ve already got the courthouse, the town square, and all the city properties because of Daddy. Oh, he and Momma are coming for dinner on Sunday, by the way.”