"We're still growing strong," Angie said, beaming with a smile and showing off her diamond engagement ring.
"Oh my god, this is so beautiful. Congratulations, dear," Karen said, hugging Angie. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have come down to Atlanta specifically for this. I'm so happy. I'm lost for words."
"You had just talked of the birth of your child. I didn't want it to seem as though we were competing, so I decided to let you find out when we met. It worked out just fine. I missed you so much. Phone conversations don't feel as good as physical meet-ups," Angie said.
"In tandem," Karen answered, giving Angie a high five.
Angie served her two guests, and the two friends chatted about the past. Val contributed occasionally.
She didn't feel bad that she was left out in some parts of the conversations. She found Karen so genuine, raw, and vulnerable and connected with her at a personal level.
She knew they would get along well.
"When is the wedding?" Karen asked.
"Which wedding?" Angie asked, rolling her eyes.
"Yours, of course," Karen replied, and Val burst.
"She's so mum on it. Maybe she wants to surprise us as she surprised you with the engagement stuff," Val opined.
"I'm still not ready to get married. Maybe the problem is me. I have a nice fiancée, just the kind of man I always dreamt of having. He loves me, and I love him, but I don't think we should get married," Angie said, trying more to convince herself than her two friends.
"Are you kidding me? Is there another man involved?" Val asked with concern.
"Absolutely none."
"If you don't want to be married, then why did you accept the proposal? You should have told him how you felt about marriage." Val asked.
"I wanted to get married when he proposed, but now, I don't. I also don't understand so, please don't ask for clarification," Angie said as she got up to clear the table.
"I have been longing for Carey to propose to me. Honestly. I don't know why he isn't doing it. Look at you, here with an engagement ring and a man who loves you, yet you claim you don't want to marry him. It's tough, really, really tough," Karen said, shaking her head in disbelief and shrugging her shoulders.
'Someday, you will understand,' Angie said from the kitchen as she loaded the dishwasher.
***
Val opened the door to smell a sweet aroma from the kitchen.
She removed the high heels she had on, tiptoed on her toes, walked into the kitchen, and hugged her boyfriend Arnold Young from behind.
He turned to look at her and gave her a forehead kiss.
"That smells so nice. What are we eating?" Val asked as she lifted the lid of one of the sufurias.
The lid was so hot that she threw it on the floor and exclaimed in pain.
"Sorry. You don't learn," Arnold said, softly blowing on Val's hands.
"I couldn't help it. The aroma made me hungry, yet I had eaten at Angie's. I don't know why your food drives me so crazy," Val answered, laughing.
"Thank my mom for that. I have been using her recipes," Arnold answered proudly.
"I wish I could. Since I can't thank her, I will thank you," Val answered.
She excused herself from changing into something comfortable, and when she went back to the dining room, Arnold had set the table and was waiting for her.
"You know, you don't look like an only child," Val commented.
"Where did that come from?"Arnold asked, surprised.
"I'm talking about you as a person. So down to earth, not entitled, so caring. I could go on and on. The list is so long, and it doesn't end."
Val's statement made Arnold emotional. He remembered his upbringing and how life had always been good when he had his parents.
Arnold was from Germany, one could tell from his big nose and full jaws.
Naturally, he had black hair that he had dyed to maroon. The family had moved to America after his father, Newton Young, landed a job in the army as a medical doctor for the US navy.
The mother, Daniella, was in the fashion and beauty industry but loved cooking so much and always dreamt of opening her own restaurant.
Arnold had been born when the parents were young in marriage and before they became fully invested in their careers.
Newton was constantly on the move and would rarely spend time with the family, and as a result of that, Arnold never had a sibling.
He lived with Daniella, who never once complained about the long hours and days her husband took at work.
***
Flashback…
"Mommy, when will dad come back home? I miss him so much," a young Arnold would tell the mother.
"Soon, my baby boy. He will be here for us spiritually. He also has to be there for the sick."
"He is never at home. He doesn't even come to my school. The other kids are asking me about him. What do I tell them?"
"Don't worry about the kids. Your dad loves you so much. I will tell him to come to your school when he comes home. Till then, mommy is here for you. Okay?" Daniella would answer.
"Okay," Arnold would answer, sounding convinced, but days later, the two would have more of such conversations.
***
"Hey, did I say something wrong? What's with the faraway look?" Val asked, holding Arnold's hands.
"Nop. I just remembered my parents. I miss them so much that, at times, it hurts. You're lucky to have your family around. Treasure them," Arnold said.
Val knew Arnold didn't have parents, but he had never been open enough to tell her what had happened.
He guarded that part of his life like his life depended on it, and Val had given up on asking, deciding that he would share if he felt ready.
She looked back at her family and realized that she was lucky. She had two siblings, Monique and Tracy.
The three girls had maintained very close bonds, visiting each other when time allowed and always being there for the other in whatever happened in their lives.
Her parents, Cally and Grace, had divorced after eight years of marriage. Val and the sisters had thought they were responsible for the irreconcilable differences the two had, but they had gotten over such feelings as they grew older.
Despite the divorce, the parents had co-parented them well. The parents had respected each other, and each led their own happy lives.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. I know how you feel about the topic," Val said remorsefully.
"It's no big deal. Don't blame yourself so much. I don't feel so empty when I am with you. You're the only family I have, and I promise not to let you go. I do love you, Val, even if I don't say it enough," Arnold said, placing another hand on top of Val's warm hand.
"The feeling is mutual."