by Pat Simmons
He found out on his dinner break, when he called Dolan from St. Louis Bread Company. “Okay, what changed your mind?”
“Regina.”
“Who?” Adrian frowned, and then it dawned on him. “Ah, Dr. Reed. You’re on a first-name basis already? That was fast.”
“I couldn’t tell her no, man. She is some kind of fine.” Adrian was amused as his cousin continued to ramble, “She called me and got to the point in the first three minutes of our conversation. She’s a practicing Christian, and she doesn't date men who aren't. I told her you’d invited me to church and that I was going.”
“Liar.” Adrian couldn’t keep himself from howling.
“Well, you were persuaded by a woman. Anyway, she suggested a double date with you and Brecee.”
“I like the sound of that.” Adrian nodded to himself. “You’re going down, so you might as well not put up a fight. Your late wife cut you some slack when it came to church attendance, but something tells me any friend of Brecee’s isn’t going to go for it. Should I send you a list of Bible verses?”
“No,” Dolan snapped. “If I want them, I can probably get them from my daughter.”
Adrian didn’t stop laughing until his number was called for him to pick up his order at the counter. Once he’d blessed his food, he texted Brecee rather than calling, in case she was busy. I heard we’re double dating. :) I’m at dinner. Call me if when you can. Miss you like crazy.
His phone rang seconds later. “I miss you, too,” she said when he answered. “How’s your first day as a new man?”
Her soft voice was soothing. “Incredible. Some of my coworkers were so surprised when I shared my experience and newfound commitment, as if they thought I didn’t have any church in me.” He sipped his lemonade. “Others were composed, but I just spoke with Dolan. Rumor has it I have to share you on a double date Saturday night.”
“Is that okay? I should have asked you.” She sounded hesitant.
“Baby, as long as I’m with you, it’s fine. I’m thinking about cutting my days back to five.”
“Oh, really? That's great.” Her happiness was evident, but so was her worry seconds later. “I mean, can you afford it?”
Adrian snorted. “I’ll make it work. I need to spend more time with you and with Jesus.”
“Ah, that’s sweet, but I have to go.” She smacked a few kisses into the phone before she ended the call.
As he chewed on his ciabatta sandwich, he stared out into the parking at the customers coming and going. Brecee was one of a kind: gorgeous, talented, kind, reassuring, and lovable. He was ready for a permanent change of marital status. But was it too soon? Would she say yes? Just like she’d wanted him to be sure when he told her he loved her, Adrian needed be sure of her answer before he got on one knee.
After work, Adrian drove home with his mind on what he’d told Brecee. With his monthly sales, he could definitely afford to cut back on his hours. Unfortunately, Saturday couldn’t be the day he dropped, since it was the busiest day. But he had to spend more time with her, especially with the summer session starting up soon that would require his focus. Maybe they could start going to Bible class together on Wednesdays.
Lord, lead me.
Once he was back at his condo, Adrian thought about his grandmother. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but it seemed as if she was beckoning him to continue his search—that there was more to uncover. After changing out of his suit and tie, Adrian retrieved the box of letters he had taken from his parents' and sat down at his kitchen table.
He stared at the envelopes again. What were the odds that Grandmother Cora’s good friend in Philly was still alive, and still lived in the same house? Was the house even there any longer? He had already searched the name and address on whitepages.com, but there hadn’t been any matches. Now, he powered up his laptop and typed the street address into Google Maps.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 came to mind again. He glanced at the time. Brecee would be off work and at home by now. She never seemed to tire of listening to him tell her excitedly about his latest find, however small, in his search for a key to unlock his family history.
He called her. “Hey, babe. Were you busy?” He fingered the edge of an envelope.
“I always want to hear your voice,” she told him. “Are you home?”
“Yes.” He explained to her what he had been doing. “I’m itching to get up there and knock on the door. Do you recognize the address, babe?”
“That’s in the Hawthorne neighborhood.” Brecee chuckled. “As much as I would love any reason to go home, let’s first see if one of my cousins will do a drive-by and introduce himself.”
His spirits lifted. “Do you think Victor or Dino would mind doing me that favor?”
“Not at all.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“Sweetie, for our first double date, what would you say to a cookout at my condo? We can celebrate the Fourth of July, since I have to work the holiday.”
Lifting his eyebrows, Adrian smirked. “My woman is letting me cross the threshold?”
“You know why I haven’t let you before,” she said softly.
He’d been aware of her reasons, but he hadn’t understood them until recently. “I never would have done anything against your will, sweetheart.”
“My self-defense training would have made sure of it.” She didn’t sound like she was joking. “But our flesh was involved, and we both needed the Holy Ghost to keep from falling.”
“I’ll be your protector, babe—spiritually, thanks to the Holy Ghost within me, and physically. You’ll always be safe with me, whether you practice Tac Kwon Do or something else.”
Brecee burst out laughing, so Adrian chuckled, too, but he’d meant every word. “I’m serious. I love you.”
“1 love you, too.”
“Thanks for the reminder,” he teased. “The couple thing is cool. You tell me the time and what you want me to bring, and I’ll be there. By the way, are you sure you’re okay if I take a summer course?”
“You know you don’t need my permission.” She paused. “But I appreciate that my opinion matters to you.”
The woman’s sweetness was driving him crazy. “It’s going to cut into our time together. That is why I asked.”
“We’ll make it work.”
“And I’ll make it up to you.”
“Promise?”
Promise. The word that had sent Adrian on a treasure hunt for an understanding of something he hadn’t yet resolved. “Yes.”
She sighed. “You're easy to love. You know that?”
“Yep,” he joked.
They exchanged air kisses before disconnecting.
Chapter Twenty-Two
D
ating was an all-consuming business, but Brecee wasn’t complaining. Adrian was the piece of the puzzle that had been missing from her life.
She had been so busy with her own romance that she hadn't found time to dip into her mother’s. That was bad, considering her mom was now in full- throttle dating. Shari and Stacy kept her posted on the important updates, but that morning, she decided to call her mom as she sipped her coffee.
“Hi, sweetie,” her mother answered and, in the same breath, asked, “Are you engaged yet?”
Brecee laughed. “I should be asking you the same question. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea of my mother courting after all these years. As for Adrian, he needs time to make God a priority before me, and he’s busy—’’
“Really? Well, I’ve got a problem with that. If he wants you, then he needs to refocus.” She huffed. The tigress was uncaged.
“Mom, he’s working full-time and going to grad school. He did ask me if I was okay with his enrolling in a summer course. I don't want to stand in his way. I know how intense school can be. Plus, he said he would make it up to me.” Her argument sounded convincing, but that didn’t keep her from wanting to be married to the love of her life, like her sisters were to
theirs. She was certain Adrian was the one.
“Well then, sweetie, ask God to give you patience. You’ll know when you reach your limit.” Her mother paused. “That was the doorbell. It’s probably Marcellus, here to take me out for breakfast. I’ve got to go. Love you.” She disconnected without waiting for Brecee’s good-bye.
Frowning, Brecee finished her coffee, then grabbed a banana and called Shae as she peeled it. They chatted about the baby, then Brecee recapped her conversation with their mother. “I feel like I should be moving as fast as Mom,” she confessed.
“You and Adrian haven’t been dating long. Just a few months,” Shae reminded her. “You two need more time to really get to know each other.”
“I know.” Brecee gritted her teeth in frustration. “But, as I far as I’m concerned, Mr. Cole should have known my expectations by the end of the first month.”
“This is bigger than you, Sis. The right relationship is larger than life.”
Brecee huffed. “Yeah. Leave it to Mom. She would have married me off to Adrian yesterday so that she could proceed with her own wedding. The real question is, how long can Adrian hold out, since saints don’t indulge in fornication?” That reminded her of the reason she’d called. “Is your hubby going to be in town this weekend?”
“Nope.” Shae groaned. “Seven-game road trip. Why?”
“Regina and I are having a double date at my place on Saturday evening, and I was going to invite you and Rahn.”
“A triple date,” Shae teased then quieted. “You’re going to love the intimacy of sharing the simplest tasks with him—cooking, setting the table, cleaning up the kitchen... playing house. The presence of another couple will definitely ward off temptation.” Her sister paused. “Oh, I’ve got to go. I hear your namesake calling for her mommy. We’ll talk later. Smooches.”
A few hours later, when Brecee strolled into the emergency department, there was another bouquet of flowers waiting on the reception desk. She blinked. Not wanting to make another erroneous assumption, Brecee asked the receptionist, “Me, Dr. Reed, or another special doctor?”
“You this time. Dr. Reed already picked hers up—same florist. How can I get added to the list?” she joked.
Smiling, Brecee took her vase and detoured to her office. Once there, she read the note.
You’re always on my mind.
Love,
Adrian
Brecee took a deep breath and then exhaled. As long as he kept up the sweet courtship, she could wait for Adrian to make a move in God’s timing. She texted him a thank-you.
After signing her name to the board and being briefed by Ashley, Brecee entered the charting room. Regina was sitting there, her face glowing with a blush. She looked more excited than Brecee had ever seen her. “I’m looking forward to our double date this weekend,” Regina told her.
“Me, too. Looks like the cousins have stock in the floral industry.” Brecee pulled out the chart on a little girl Ashley had told her about. The child's pediatrician had referred her to the emergency department for an X-ray of her arm to determine whether it was broken. Satisfied with the resident’s assessment, Brecee looked up at her friend.
“I expect you to hold me accountable and not compromise if Dolan is against surrendering to the Lord,” Regina said.
She nodded.
Regina twisted her lips. “If a good man is hard to find, then Dolan is going to realize that a great woman is no easy catch, either.”
“Amen.” They high-fived each other before Regina left to discuss test results with a patient’s parents.
By late afternoon, the department had treated mostly bike and roller skate injuries, with a few minor lacerations thrown into the mix.
When Saturday arrived, Brecee counted down the hours until Adrian would be a guest in her home for the first time. He had assured her that he would leave work early to spend time with his baby.
Her condo was clean, the day was sunny, and the Carmen family’s famous baked beans were in the oven. It was still early when doorbell rang for the first time.
“Ooh.” Brecee blinked when she answered the door and saw Regina. “You’re brave, wearing all white to a barbecue. Don’t you look stunning!”
They exchanged hugs, and Regina walked in. “It beats wearing scrubs any time.”
The airy white sleeveless top pinched her waist, accentuating her slender figure and her gorgeous dark skin, which resembled Shari's. Her shoulder- length hair was twisted up in a ball—a smart choice for the St. Louis heat and humidity.
Brecee had learned early on never to wear white to a barbecue. She didn't care if she was at home and could easily change; she wasn’t that neat. Today, she sported a tan top with tiny brown polka dots and a long wrap skirt.
“Here, let me take that.” Brecee accepted Regina’s special-recipe banana pudding and immediately stashed it in the refrigerator.
Regina set down her purse. “Need any help?”
When Brecee shook her head, Regina made herself comfortable on one of the bar stools. “Perfect day for a barbecue.”
“I know. Adrian's bringing the hamburgers and chicken. He seasoned them last night and was going to take them to work. The grill’s waiting on him.” Brecee glanced at the microwave clock to see the time.
“Aren’t we anxious?” Regina teased.
“Can I help it if I miss him?”
Regina stretched. “This will be my first time seeing Dolan again since the emergency room visit. We’ve talked on the phone, and he’s sent flowers, but I’m a little nervous.” She paused. “In the back of my mind, I can’t help wondering if he just wants a mother for his daughter. His unwavering passion for Laura is undeniable, but is there any love left for another woman?”
They chatted about relationships until Brecee’s doorbell rang again. She had lost track of time. On her way to answer it, she checked her appearance in the hall mirror. Her long hair was still neatly gathered atop her head, and her minimal makeup—a bare dusting of shimmery powder—was mostly in place.
She opened the door and stared at Adrian. There had never been a time when he hadn’t been eye-catching, but his dark sunglasses always kept her guessing if he liked what he saw.
“Hi.” He leaned in and greeted her with a kiss as Dolan strolled up behind him carrying flowers and a covered dish. She waved them inside as Regina stood.
Adrian crossed the threshold and slowly scanned her living room. He released a whistle. “So, this is your sanctuary from the world. Nice.” He turned to Regina. “It’s nice to see you again, Dr. Reed.”
“I’m not on duty, so please, call me Regina.” She smiled, and when Dolan gave her an appreciative glance, she glowed.
“Here, let me take that, and I’ll give you a tour.” She accepted the pan of meat from Adrian and set it on the counter, then took his hand and showed off her decor in every room except her bedroom. That truly was her private sanctuary.
Before they returned to the living room, Adrian kissed her hair and slipped his arm around her waist. She looked up and saw the love radiating from his eyes. “How did your day go?”
“I built relationships,” he replied, which she had come to learn was a phrase for when he hadn’t made any sales.
“And I’m sure those relationships will yield great fruit.” She squeezed him tight.
“Brecee, I turned off the oven,” Regina called to her. “The baked beans are ready, sister.”
“Great. Let’s get the meat on the grill.” She returned to the kitchen and uncovered Adrian’s dish. “Let’s see how your seasoning tastes.”
The evening breeze tickled the loose curls at the back of Brecee’s neck as she supervised Adrian on the grill. While the meat was cooking, he wrapped his arms around her, and she leaned against his chest, gazing in the direction of Lafayette Park. “I love sitting out here when there’s a concert in the park. The free serenades are great, albeit a bit faint.”
“Find out when the next one is, and we’ll get front-r
ow seats,” he told her.
Turning in his arms, she looked at him. “I would like that. I’ve gone before, with Shae—and her bodyguards. Blame it on my brother-in-law. He did have a security scare before meeting Shae. Sometimes, he can be a little overbearing, but my sister has learned to take it in stride.”
“Bodyguards?” He lifted an eyebrow, then whistled. “It’s good to know my baby has secret service protection when I’m not around.”
“J-E-S-U-S,” she spelled, then guided him back inside. Dolan and Regina had set the table and were now relaxing at the kitchen counter, laughing at something.
Adrian rubbed his hands. “So, what else do we have to go with this?” In her kitchen, he and Brecee worked efficiently together to make a salad and a pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade. “Add some strawberries and a lime,” she told him.
He didn’t question the concoction.
Shae had been right about their intimacy outside the bedroom. Brecee did enjoy doing the simplest of tasks with him. His presence made her content.
After the meal, the four of them sat on her balcony and watched the small-time fireworks displays of a few neighbors. One thing Shae hadn’t told her was that at the end of the night, she wouldn't want Adrian to leave.
The next morning, Adrian had a hangover, and it had nothing to do with alcohol. It was Brecee. The woman was drugging him with every sweet kiss and embrace. Even their morning wakeup calls were addictive.
She was a temptation waiting to happen. But as he was leaving her place last night, he heard God whisper, I can keep you from falling and present you faultless.
Every reminder, whether sensed in his spirit or read in his Bible, strengthened his resolve to live up to the standard of holiness God and his grandmother had set before him. And he was learning that it took determination.
After showering and getting dressed, he called Dolan. “You still coming to church?”
“Yep. I’m fulfilling the prerequisite for Regina to go on a date with me. Don’t expect me to come in one way and go out another. I’m just visiting.”
