With a last wave he walks to his own car and I pull off and head home. Today is definitely going to be long even though we've been together twice within twenty four hours I haven't had my fill of Mekhi. He makes me feel wanted and secure which only makes me even more attracted to him than I already am. I can't believe he kissed me in front of the diner like that though, I guess that means that he is serious about me being his. As I'm thinking about him being mine a warmth spread through me that I've felt the last few times we've been together. When I pull into the driveway at home I see that my parents are back and I try desperately to think of something other than Mekhi before I go into the house.
"Heeeyyyy," I yell out as I walk in the door.
"We're in here," Mom calls from the kitchen and I head in that direction.
"Hey daddy and mom," I say as I walk into the kitchen and take a seat at the table.
"Hey Na-na. How was your weekend," Daddy says with a knowing look.
"It was really good. I went to a basketball game and watched the whole thing," I say happily.
"That's new for you," he says.
"Yeah, I know," I say to him.
"So what about that date," Mom says cutting to the chase.
"It was really good ma," I say feeling the burning blush on setting.
"What did you guys do," she asks.
"We walked around the mall for a bit, had dinner, and walked around City Park. It was a really nice evening," I reply with a smile plastered on my face. It really was a good time.
"Sounds nice as long as you're enjoying yourself," Mom says with a knowing smile of her own.
"So when do we get to meet the rascal that's making my daughter smile like a fool," Dad says placing his hand on my head. I smile even wider at my father's affection for me.
"Umm, I'm not sure he asked this morning. I told him we can wait a few weeks," I say knowing that my parents are looking for an immediate introduction.
"For what? The sooner the better," Dad states.
"Well, what if it doesn't work out," I say trying my own reasoning.
"And what if it does? You'll have deprived us of getting to know this young man sooner," Dad says raising an eyebrow.
"Okay, okay. I'll see if he's available to come to dinner tonight," I say placating my parents and thinking about how I'll tell Mekhi that I've had my mind changed.
"Good, now that that's settled I'll start gathering the ingredients for the food I'll cook tonight," Mom says with a victorious smile.
"Right. How was your trip," I ask preparing to leave the kitchen.
"It was nice and refreshing," Mom says looking at Dad.
"I'm going to rest for a little bit baby," Dad says as he hugs mom from behind and plants a loud wet kiss on her cheek.
"Okay, rest well," Mom says smiling like a girl in love.
I walk out of the kitchen away from what seems to be a private moment between my parents and head to my bedroom. I turn on my speaker and play some country music while I ponder on my brunch with Mekhi and impending family dinner with him. Speaking of which I pull out my phone and shoot him a text asking if he wants to come to dinner tonight. While waiting for him to text me back I do my laundry and clean both my room and bathroom. When I'm finishing up putting my clothes away I get his text confirming that he will come and asking for my address. I send him the details and tell him that dinner is at seven. I turn off the music and decide to head to the kitchen to see if Mom needs any help preparing dinner.
"Hey Mom, I'm here to help you with dinner," I say rolling up my sleeves and washing my hands.
"Thank you. Go ahead and peel and dice the potatoes I have cooling in the bowl on the counter," she says mixing together cheese and macaroni noodles. I take a look around the kitchen and see that mom is making a full Sunday dinner spread for Mekhi. Hopefully this doesn't mess up his workouts.
"Ma, this is a lot of food," I say at my makeshift potato peeling and dicing station.
"Well, I couldn't decide what to cook and it's been a while since we've had a full Sunday dinner. This is perfect for today since we have a guest coming," she says smiling while adding more cheese to her dish.
"Yeah, it'll be enough for him to take some home if he wants," I say to her.
"That's fine too. Did he agree to come to dinner then," she asks.
"Yes, he let me know he'll be able to make it," I say continuing my work.
"Good. When you're finished with the potatoes I need you to dice the rest of the ingredients for that dish for me," she says while placing the mac and cheese in the oven. I can already smell the candied yams wafting through the air from the oven.
"Yes, ma'am," I say to her gathering the rest of the ingredients.
"I'll be back I have a chicken and a rack of ribs in the smoker in the backyard," she says as she leaves the kitchen.
I hope Mekhi is in the mood for soul food because that is what we'll be having tonight. It will be interesting to have him here in the house with my family. Tonight's dinner will definitely be a test of sorts; Dad is going to be watching his every move and Mom will be analyzing it all. I should bake a cake for dessert since Mom is going all out for dinner. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting sounds delicious to me and we still have ice cream in the freezer. I smile to myself making quick work of the tasks left to me so that I can bake the cake.
When Mom returns to the kitchen she finishes up the dish with the ingredients I prepared for her and prepares her dinner rolls. Thank goodness we have a gourmet kitchen with a double oven otherwise I don't know how long it would've taken Mom to cook everything. After I frost the cake I set up the dining room with Journee's help and excuse myself to clean up for dinner. After freshening up for dinner I check my phone to see that Mekhi will be here in ten minutes. I gather my strength and courage and make myself even more beautiful before going down to announce that Mekhi will be here shortly. My family is all gathered in the living room when Mekhi rings the doorbell. I jump up to answer the door and give my family a 'please don't embarrass me look' before opening the door.
"Hi, Mekhi," I say smiling like a fool when I see my gorgeous man standing on my doorstep with flowers and a box of gourmet chocolates.
"Hey ba-Lena," he says flashing his pearly whites s he's stepping into the house and hugs me as soon as I close the door behind me. I inhale his intoxicating scent and feel relaxed and confident in our dinner with my parents. I grab his hand and lead him into the living room where my family is waiting to greet him. He squeezes my hand reassuringly as we enter the living room.
"Good evening, Mr. True," he says shaking my father's hand as he is the first to greet Mekhi.
"Mekhi," my father says nodding his head as they shake hands and step aside for my mother.
"Mrs. True," he says handing her the flowers and chocolates then kissing the back of her hand.
"Mekhi, thank you" she says with a smile and approving look in her eyes.
"Nice to meet you man, I'm Jackson," Jackson says casually introducing himself and shaking his hand.
"And I'm Journee. Nice to meet you," she says introducing herself shaking his hand.
"It's nice to meet all of you. Thank you for inviting me to dinner tonight," he says still holding my hand a gesture that hasn't gone unnoticed by my mother.
"Mekhi come in and have a seat we can talk while the ladies finish setting up dinner," my father says placing his hand on Mekhi's shoulder.
"Yes sir," Mekhi says giving my hand a small squeeze.
"Well I'll just leave you guys to it then. Daddy play nice," I say releasing Mekhi's hand with a small smile and turning to follow my mother and sister into the kitchen.
"Lena grab a vase and arrange the flowers on the dinner table for me please," Mom says handing me the flowers and placing the chocolates on the island counter.
"I've already got it Mom. I'll take care of it," Journee says waiting for me to give her the bouquet.
"Thank you," Mom says as Journee takes the flowers.
"Thanks Journee," I say watching her arrange the flowers in the vase she picked out.
"He is considerate and handsome Lena. Where did you find him," Mom says with a telling smile.
"He is very thoughtful and he actually found me at the café," I say helping her arrange the food in serving dishes.
"Oh ok. I think he really likes you Lena at least that's what it looks like to me," Mom says pausing to look at me.
"Yeah, Nova and Rylie said the same thing. I really like him too Mom, I'm a little scared at how much I like him though," I confess to my mother.
"Darling you're young. Youth is all about falling in and out of love until you find what you're looking for. Enjoy this time in your life dating and getting to know him after college you have to go out and pave the way for yourself and these fun and fleeting moments won't come by so frequent or easily," she says placing her hand on my cheek.
"Thanks Mom," I say leaning into her touch and with the confidence boost from my mother we set all the food on the dinner table and she goes to call the guys to dinner. My mother and father walk in holding hands and I think to myself if I could experience half the love that they have for each other I will die happily.