by A'zayler
“Make sure the lighting is good over the table. I’m sure there will be cameras out everywhere,” Jerrico told the man on the ladder while passing him.
“Got you, Mr. Blake.” The man’s casual response was heard just before Jerrico stepped outside.
With his phone in hand, he took a seat on the smoke grey bench positioned just in front of the waterfall. He loved that spot and used it to breathe amid intense workloads all the time. He rested one ankle on the opposite knee and swiped his phone open. There were missed calls from his mother, older brother, and one from Ginell. They’d been out a few times, but her conceited personality was ruining it for her.
Not in the mood to deal with her theatrics, he called his mother back first. She didn’t answer, so he tried right back. Her voicemail picked up again. Jerrico was really pissed then. He didn’t care how old he got; if he called his mother, and she didn’t answer, he was getting mad, and that was that.
“What’s up, man? Why your mama ain’t answering her phone?” Jerrico asked as soon as his older brother, Marcellus, answered his phone.
Marcellus’ deep, baritone laughter filled their line. “She’s probably out with her little boyfriend. I talked to her about thirty minutes ago, and she was getting ready for their date.”
“Their date?” Jerrico frowned. “Where they went? He better not try nothing with my mama.”
More laughter from Marcellus. “Calm down, grown man. That grown woman is going to Barnes and Noble to have coffee and read books.”
Jerrico sucked his teeth, still not easing the frown in his forehead. “Yeah, whatever.”
“I don’t know why you and Calvary give Mr. Clarence such a hard time. He’s a cool old dude.”
“Clarence? Cool dude? Man, get out of here. She needs to be answering her phone when I call her. I don’t care who she’s with.”
“Listen, crybaby, I didn’t call you to talk about Mama. I was trying to see are you still free to do that promotion meeting I told you about last week.”
“When is it again?” Jerrico’s eyes went to the sky as he mentally scanned through his calendar.
“Sunday.”
“What time?”
“Three. You already said you could put something together for me. Don’t be trying to act like you forgot now.”
“I’m not. I just had to think. Yeah, I should be cool. What you want done? Why you didn’t just have it at one of the restaurants?”
“I already told you it’s a private meeting. I’m trying to finesse these people into getting my new clients some airtime.”
Jerrico nodded. Marcellus was a talent agent and had landed major deals for a lot of people in the surrounding areas. Being that Atlanta was the mecca for entertainment, a lot of people flocked to him. That he was good at his job only added to his value. Handsome, smooth, and oddly quiet, Marcellus commanded a lot of rooms without even trying. Anywhere Jerrico could help, he was all in. Even if he had something planned for Sunday, he would have rescheduled it for his big brother.
“You know I got you. Just send me a menu and an expected headcount, and I’ll get right on it.”
“It’ll be about twenty people, and you can fix whatever you want. Just make sure it’s good.”
Jerrico laughed. “Anything I touch is good.”
“No lie,” Marcellus agreed. “Appreciate that. I’ll send you the address to the location so you can do what you need to do.”
“Bet. Love you.”
“Love you too, bro. I’ll hit you back later. Got some people coming in,” Marcellus said and hung up.
Jerrico was about to call his mother back, but after hearing that she was with Mr. Clarence, he chose not to. He was already annoyed enough. The moment she answered the phone, laughing or talking to that old dude, he was going to be right back mad. He could call Ginell if that’s what he felt like being.
Upon entering the large kitchen of his establishment, he smiled at his employees. Black and motivated, they were all working hard to help him achieve greatness. For the culture, in any way possible, Jerrico obtained an all-black staff and made history with the meals and events they continuously presented. All young and on their grind to be great, his staff had been making tremendous waves since the grand openings of all his restaurants.
A master chef, owner of four of the biggest restaurants in Atlanta, with two more in Columbus and Macon, Georgia, and the CEO of two extremely lucrative catering businesses in the city, Jerrico Blake wasn’t half bad. He was actually a pretty good catch, depending on who you asked.
Fortunately, for him, there was nobody to ask. He’d been a bachelor for the past three years. Too busy to put in any work that something serious may require, he spent his days working and free nights in the beds of single women who didn’t want much from him. His mother had been practically begging him to settle down, but that wasn’t really something he was in a rush to do.
He’d been in a serious relationship before, but once work and distance got in the way, things went south a lot faster than he’d anticipated. Summer; she had been the ying to his yang, his homie, his lover, and everything that he could possibly want in a wife, but after college, they moved to separate places. Though they weren’t extremely far apart, busy schedules and new faces put a strain on the time they spent together.
In the back of his mind, Jerrico had assumed that when the time was right, they would get back together. Sadly, he had been wrong. Summer had met, married, and had a baby by some nigga who ran a record label in Atlanta. Being that they shared a lot of the same friends, it hadn’t taken him long to catch wind of the news, and it honestly had broken his heart.
Summer had been his girl for a long time. The only man to have close access to her, and that was saying a lot because Summer was mean and didn’t give men the time of her day. Her li’l dude must have been something special to wife his baby girl up, but Jerrico had never been a hater, so he’d sent a heavy wedding gift in place of his presence.
He may not have been the one to hate on the next man, but he wasn’t a big enough person to watch another man marry the woman who was supposed to be his. Thanks to Summer and the lesson she taught him, Jerrico was scarred. After that, he vowed to never entertain a woman that he didn’t plan to marry the moment the opportunity presented itself. If he liked you or loved you, for that matter, he was going full throttle. There would never be another woman taken from him, and that was a promise he made to himself.
“Not half bad, boss.” Heather stepped next to Jerrico, admiring the spread of food strategically placed around the immaculately decorated table.
Three rough hours had passed, and they’d finally finished all the food and had the room set up for the couple’s grand entrance.
“Could have been better, but I’ll take it.”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself all the time.”
“If I’m not, who will?” Jerrico shrugged while looking toward the door where the large vases of white roses were set up.
“Get you a good wife, and she’ll take over. I’m sure of it.” Heather’s smile only widened when he frowned at her. “Hey.” She placed her hands on her hips. “That look doesn’t scare me.”
Jerrico’s scowl deepened. Heather narrowed her eyes and took a step toward him. When her finger touched the middle of his forehead, he dropped the hard act and laughed.
“Man, go home.”
Heather giggled happily. “I’m going. You staying here?”
Jerrico looked around and shook his head. “No, I think I’m going to head out. I think the rest of the crew can handle it. They don’t need me stealing their shine. You know I’m a behind the scenes kind of guy.”
“And I don’t know why. You’re the best at this. You should accept praise at some point.”
With an adamant shake of his head, Jerrico ended all of that. “I’ll pass. Get your things, let me walk you out.”
Heather probably wanted to say something more but obviously knew it was a losing battle
because she left to grab her things. While he waited, Jerrico busied himself checking on last minute details before meeting Heather and one of his cashiers, Bailey, at the door. She was a junior at Spelman College, who Jerrico never let stay past ten. She was young and needed to take school seriously, so she was given a special schedule.
“You ladies ready?”
Both nodded, and Jerrico pushed the door open. Though it was still light outside, Atlanta could be crazy, and he liked to make sure they were good. Once they were both in their cars and pulling out, he got in his and did the same. He was at home and pulling into his driveway when his phone rang. It was Marcellus.
“What up, Cellus?”
Loud noise from Marcellus’ end had Jerrico pulling the phone slightly away from his ear. “Aye, I need a big favor.”
“What’s new?”
Marcellus laughed because he too knew that he was always calling Jerrico for favors. Not even their youngest brother, Calvary, did that. Calvary was a real go-getter. He didn’t call his brothers for anything unless he absolutely needed it, so the moment he did, they both jumped at the opportunity to help.
“Okay, so listen.”
Jerrico turned his car off and sat back in the driver’s seat to better digest whatever Marcellus was about to say.
“I got this important client, right?”
“Um, huh.”
“So, she’s planning her sister a surprise party for passing the bar exam, and the people she used to cater brought all the wrong shit. Her sister is a vegetarian, and they got a boatload of meat and stuff the girl doesn’t eat. If you can’t come through, I understand, but I told her I’d ring your line to check before I said no.”
Jerrico sighed and closed his eyes. He was dog tired from working all day and barely had any energy left, but none of that mattered when it came to the people he loved.
“She must be some client.”
Marcellus’ laughter was so deep, you could barely hear it. “It’s not her, it’s her sister. She doesn’t live here, and she’s always on Facetime with her. Plus, my client is as raw as they come. I have to keep her on my team before somebody snatches her up.”
“Man, I know you’re not crushing through a phone? Not single-for-life-Marcellus. I need to see this.”
More of the laughter that could be used as bass music came through the line. “Nah, you know I’m not on that. She’s pretty, but nah. Are you coming or not? Stop worrying about me.”
“What time the party starts?” Jerrico looked at the clock on his dashboard. “I need to take a shower and change right quick.”
“It’s not until eleven, so we good.”
“Eleven? What kind of party is a vegetarian having at that time of night?”
“You a fool. What does what she eats have to do with what time she hangs out with her people?”
“Because, if she’s eating that clean, she has to be a good girl. Wild women eat anything. They don’t give a fuck.”
The brothers shared a laugh with Jerrico ending first. Marcellus was quiet, but he was a real jokester.
“I’m about to shower, change, and run by the market to grab a few things. I want my check when I get there too.”
“You know I got it. Just come through.”
“I’m on it. Peace.”
Jerrico was out of his car and into his shower faster than he normally would have been. He showered rapidly and redressed in a casual jogging suit, all black Nike jacket and sweatpants, with a pair of Triple Black Air VaporMax. After putting lotion on his hands and spraying on cologne, he checked his reflection. Not liking his lineup, he threw on a black New Era hat and left.
Since he frequented the fresh market near his house, he was in and out in no time. The venue the chick had chosen for her sister’s party wouldn’t have been his first choice, but then again, nothing in Atlanta was really his pick unless it was green with dead people on it.
“Let’s get this over with.” Jerrico got out and began to gather bags.
After grabbing as many as he could, he walked inside. Not sure where to go, but following the balloons, he found a room with a sprinkle of people moving around decorating. His mother being one of them.
“Hey there, handsome.” She stopped what she was doing and smiled at him.
“Hey, Ma.” Jerrico leaned his head out so that she could kiss his cheek like she always did. “You look pretty. Where you been?”
His mother, Sophia, smiled bashfully, and all he could do was turn his nose up and groan.
“Never mind, I don’t even want to know. Just show me where the kitchen is.”
“Come on, I’ll take you. Is there more food in your car?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going back to grab it in a second.”
Sophia stopped and placed her balled up fists on her wide hips and looked around the room. Jerrico stopped to see who she was looking for, and when her eyes stopped on Mr. Clarence, he stepped so that he was blocking her path.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t need any help.”
Already knowing what his problem was, Sophia shot him a ‘boy please’ look and pushed him out of her way.
“Child, if you don’t get your spoiled behind in that kitchen and get to work. Clarence and Marcellus can grab the rest of the stuff. As bad as he wanted to argue with her about Mr. Clarence touching anything in his car, he just shook his head and found his own way to the kitchen.
Thankfully, it was empty and clean. The outside of the building might not have looked like much, but the inside was presentable enough. With not much time to spare, Jerrico got down to work. Since he made sure to bring his own dishes and utensils everywhere he went, he wasted no time washing the vegetables he’d brought.
Once he had them cleaned and ready for preparation, he grilled the tofu and began mixing and making magic.
“Oh my god, not another hard-headed person. Excuse me, sir, but my cousin doesn’t eat meat.”
Jerrico raised his head to find a thick, brown-skinned cutie at the door. She had a long, black, sew-in hanging straight down, a bright orange mini dress, and some high ass gold heels on. There was a gold choker around her neck and bracelets up and down one of her wrists. He could tell she was wearing makeup, but it wasn’t too much to hide that she was a beautiful black woman.
Jerrico watched her walk to the platter of grilled tofu and seared vegetables. Goodness, she had a lot of ass. He swore on Sophia, he loved black women. All shapes, sizes, and colors of them.
“That’s not meat, sweetheart.”
She looked at him, and he squinted. Why did she look so familiar? Her eyes lingering on him a little longer verified his suspicions. They knew each other. All Jerrico hoped was that she wasn’t somebody he’d slept with and forgot to call back. He’d done that a few times in the past, and it had been embarrassing upon realization.
“I know you.” She snapped then pointed her finger in his face. “You’re the cook from the club the other night.”
Jerrico frowned for a minute before nodding. That’s right. She was the girl who had been with the mean little rapper.
“Chef, sweetheart, and yes, I am. Jerrico Blake.” He looked down at her and smiled. “I would shake your hand, but mine are a little messy right now.”
“You’re fine. I’m Eternity, but everybody calls me Yummy. How’d you get here?”
“My brother.”
Eternity looked confused. “Who’s your brother? This is a private party.”
“Marcellus.”
Her eyes got big, and then she smiled while nodding her head as if it all made sense. “Y’all look just alike. I never paid that any attention. Oh, I know we’re about to eat good since you’re here. That chicken you made at the club made me want to fight somebody’s mama. Not mine because she don’t play that shit, but it was good enough to hit somebody else’s.”
Jerrico found himself laughing at her. “Appreciate that, love. Glad I could help.”
Eternity stopped and squinted at him. Jer
rico waited to see what she would say next. The silence stretched before she laughed to herself and left the room. He briefly wondered what that was about but didn’t have time to waste, so he got back to cooking. He’d catered many dinners where the attendees didn’t eat one thing or another, so he’d mastered pretty much everything.
The guest of honor and all of her friends were going to eat so good; they’d forget there was no meat anywhere in the room. Lost in his own world, Jerrico quietly began to sing, something he did whenever cooking alone. He’d been a good singer since elementary school but kept that talent to himself and his family. It wasn’t anything he wanted to explore or do in public.
Marcellus had been pushing him to do a record for the longest, but Jerrico wasn’t for it. The kitchen was his stage, and he performed well.
“Girl, stop pulling me like that,” the most recognizable voice said from the hallway. “Whatever it is better be good, or I’m slapping you. I could be putting up decorations while you want to play.”
Jerrico stopped pouring the sauce he’d just made and looked up at the door. There she was. The pretty girl with the dirty mouth and fucked up view on life. If he thought Eternity was cute, this girl was the end of the world, he’d choose her over water pretty. She too was dressed in orange, a skirt, tight and short as it could possibly get. The bra was exactly what it was, a bra. Her honey butter skin was smooth and shining with something that made her look like she was glowing.
Tonight, her hair was black as well, straight and curly at once with some up in a little ponytail hanging from the side of her head. Sexy, chinky eyes and subtly high cheekbones faced him as she stood in the doorway with a blank look on her face. The long, colorful nails on her hands caught his attention along with the glistening jewelry she was rocking on her wrists.
“Yummy, what the fuck? I know you ain’t bring me back here to look at no nigga.” She was clearly annoyed.
The attitude in her voice sent Jerrico right back on his way. With his head dropped, he continued prepping the entree of salad in front of her.
