by Mata Elliott
“Bring me your business”had been Hulk’s only demand.
Hulk pulled up to the curb. He jumped from his GMC pickup, Trevor darted from the steps, and the friends pounded fists. As Hulk checked things out under the hood, Trevor glanced in the direction Cassidy would probably be returning, then checked his watch. If Cassidy stayed married to her schedule, she wouldn’t be back for at least three more hours, plenty of time for Hulk to deliver an official diagnosis and perhaps do the necessary repairs. Lucky for Trevor, he’d learned through Odessa that Cassidy kept a spare set of car keys in the kitchen drawer. In addition, Odessa had shared that Cassidy was reluctant about Hulk working on her car. But Trevor knew Hulk would do a first-rate job without overcharging. Cassidy shouldn’t have any complaints.
Lena rolled up and parked across the street. She strolled over and exchanged hellos with Trevor. Hulk was on the ground, under the car, only visible from the waist down, so Trevor decided introductions weren’t necessary.
“How did you talk Cassidy into letting you help with the car?” Lena peered at Trevor.
“I didn’t.”
“She doesn’t know?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh, baby, you like livin’ dangerously, now, don’t you?” Lena chuckled. “Well, tell Cassidy I stopped by, okay?”
“Sure thing,” he said as she stepped off the curb and into the street at the same instant Hulk pushed from under the Accord. Hulk bumped his boots into Lena’s sneakers.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “Let me get your feet.”
Lena’s eyes became enchanted as Hulk raised himself up off the ground just enough to pull a handkerchief from the back pocket of his jumpsuit and dust all over the red Reeboks that went with the red stripe in her white running suit. She flashed a smile at him as he stood, put the handkerchief away, and removed the disposable gloves from his hands. He smiled in return, a marble-size dimple in his left cheek. Trevor introduced them.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Hulk said.
“Same here,” she said, keeping her head tilted so she could remain eye-to-eye with Hulk, who was much taller than she was while much shorter than Trevor. His round head was bald, and a hint of a mustache bordered his lips. Lena slid her hand inside the hand Hulk extended. As her hand slipped slowly from his, a gaze passed between them that suggested it hadn’t been nearly slow enough.
chapter eighteen
You gave Hulk Lena’s number?”
Trevor backed against the counter and crossed his arms over his midriff. “I did.”
“Why would you do that?” Cassidy snapped.
“Because he’s a nice guy, and he asked for it.”
Blowing a puff of air, Cassidy snatched her dangling keys from the tips of Trevor’s fingers. “I didn’t need you to get Hulk to fix my car. I already had three estimates, and I was going to make a choice next week.” She glared at him. “I’m not a weakling woman who can’t take care of business. Not anymore.”
Her gaze wavered away, and Trevor thought she seemed embarrassed that she’d exposed a small measure of herself to him.
Cassidy slammed the keys into the drawer, then slammed the drawer shut. “You might run things at your butter and sugar factory, but not here. In case you’ve forgotten, this is not your house.”
“How could I forget?” His voice was grouchy. “You certainly haven’t gone out of your way to make me feel at home. But I guess you wouldn’t have time to complain about everything if you took time and did that.”
Cassidy did what Trevor called the ghetto-girl pop: neck roll, eye roll, and the sucking of teeth, all in the same beat. “I haven’t complained all that much,” she protested.
He calmly refreshed her memory. “You don’t want me to sing in the shower. You don’t want me to wash your car. You don’t want me to help you bring the groceries into the house. I put too much salt and butter in the food.” He moved away from the counter. “I can’t even give my kids a cookie without you gawking at me as if I’m forcing an illegal substance down their throats.”
Cassidy rolled her eyes again.
“Why can’t you just say thank you and admit that I saved you a couple hundred dollars today?”
Cassidy nudged a chair with her hip and dropped to the seat. For the third time, she studied the invoice Hulk had left. “It is a good price,” she conceded, although she continued to scowl.
A leisurely stride brought Trevor to the table, and he clutched the top crosspiece of the chair. “It never crossed my mind that you were weak and couldn’t handle the situation on your own. I can see you’re an intelligent and self-sufficient woman. And those are qualities I admire and respect.” She glanced up at him. “Helping out around here is simply my way of thanking you and Mother Vale for opening your door to my family. It’s my pleasure to do what I can to demonstrate how appreciative I am.”
Trevor stared as Cassidy laid the invoice on the table near the fruit-bowl centerpiece. A bunch of bananas, too green to enjoy yesterday, appeared ripe enough to eat today. He lifted and turned the chair, straddled it, and stacked his arms across the top. He lowered his chin until it rested on his arm. From this angle, it was easy to see through the window above the sink. Birds dotted the sky in the distance and white clouds crossed the sky in slow motion, and Trevor wondered what was happening to him. Only weeks ago, if someone had told him a woman other than Brenda could make him feel this crazy, he would have labeled that person crazy. “You know what I think, Sky?” Cassidy was observing him as he spoke. “I think you like me a lot more than you’re willing to show,” he said.
Cassidy pursed her mouth. “I think you’re dreaming.”
It was corny, but he responded, “Only about you.”
A child’s giggle turned Trevor’s head, and he discovered a little girl in the kitchen entrance. Brittney slid in and stood next to her sister. “Well,” he said, pushing out of the chair. “I’m glad you small folk are here. I have good news. Grandmom Grace called and invited us to her cookout again. I told her we’d be there.”
“Yes,” Brandi shouted, punching the air with a fist.
A good feeling took root through Trevor. Not totally, but to a large extent, he’d been living in limbo, permitting grief to keep him from engaging in the activities he and the kids loved. But it was a new day, time to walk ahead. He didn’t know how far he would get. But going to Grace and Houston’s barbecue today would be a step in the right direction, not only for him but also for his children. And he wasn’t taking these steps alone. As a child of God, he was never alone. “We’re going to leave soon, so get on your swimwear.”
A soft question drifted up to him. “Can Cassidy come with us, Daddy?”
Shock left Trevor speechless. This was the most Brittney had spoken to him all day. And her brown eyes, wide with waiting, were staring pointedly at him. He unclamped his tongue from the roof of his mouth. “That’s up to Cassidy, pumpkin.”
All gazes settled on Cassidy, and Trevor felt bad that she’d been put on the spot this way. The look she gave Brittney was soft and apologetic. “It’s sweet of you to think of me, but there’s a singles’ meeting at the church tonight I’m planning to attend.”
“What time is the meeting?” Trevor asked.
“Seven.”
“I’ll get you back in time.”
They studied each other before turning to the girls. The optimism on their small faces pulled on Trevor’s heartstrings. He knew Cassidy’s heart was being tugged as well, and after a long pause, she gave her decision.
chapter nineteen
The smooth sound of R&B played in the background, and the hickory-smoked scent of an outdoor grill in progress wafted through the air. The Armstrong lawn was a green stage littered with chairs and tables and people of all ages. Most of the guests were already eating the hamburgers, baked beans, coleslaw, seafood salad, corn on the cob, and the many other appetizing items Grace had prepared. Grace waved and hurried across her property to welcome the Monroes. “We
have on our suits,” Brandi blurted as soon as Grace was in hearing range. She hiked up the hem of her T-shirt so Grace could see.
“You look so cute,” Grace cooed as good as any grandmother. She bent at the waist, giving Brandi and Brittney one kiss and one hug each. She straightened and embraced Trevor. “I’m glad you came.” Trevor squeezed Grace hard, sending her the private message that he appreciated her going the extra step, giving him that call this afternoon and reminding him that she loved him.
As if standing on hot coals, Brandi bounced from foot to foot. “Can we go swimming?”
“I don’t see why not,” Grace replied.
The girls ran toward the in-ground pool. Trevor lifted his voice. “Be careful,” he called after them.
“Don’t worry,” Grace said. “I have two of the neighborhood girls who lifeguard at the Y helping out.”
Trevor slowly withdrew his attention from the children and focused on Grace. “I have someone I would like you to meet,” he said, and cupped Cassidy’s elbow while Grace’s eyes sparkled like a mother who was happy her son had finally brought a nice girl home.
“How was the potato salad?” Grace asked later, joining Trevor and Houston at the grill. She stood between the men and looped her arm around Trevor’s middle.
He placed his arm around Grace’s shoulder and kissed her temple. “Awesome as always.”
“I set some back for you to take with you.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“I talked with Cassidy. She seems like a good down-to-earth soul.” Grace looked at Houston. “She teaches at that school where Blanche’s grandboys attend.” Houston nodded as he sipped punch from a tumbler and Grace stared up at Trevor. “You and the girls bring Cassidy over for dinner one evening, you hear?”
“Uh-oh, son, you better watch out.” A chuckle ended Houston’s warning. “You see that look on her face. It says matchmaker.”
Grace snatched up the flyswatter and whacked her husband’s behind. “My face says no such thing.”
“Yeah, that’s why them three are ready to eat this boy alive.”
Trevor glanced over at “them three,” a cluster of three females who’d been staring at Trevor as if he really were their next meal. He shook his head at Grace, a light smile of No hard feelings on his lips. “Should’ve known you were behind that.”
“I only hinted that you were a good catch.” She rubbed Trevor’s back. “Just looking out for you, baby.”
Houston snorted as he brushed his secret sauce on a batch of ribs. “You call karate-killer Debbie looking out for him? The woman’s looking more like a man every day.”
“Oh, she is not,” Grace responded. “She looks terrific. She’s worked very hard to get her body like that.”
Trevor glanced at the ladies. He knew exactly which one Debbie was because her biker shorts and spandex vest fit like a glazed topping over a physique that supported Grace’s argument. As a man who appreciated the gym, Trevor admired Debbie’s exercise ethics.
Grace poked Houston in the shoulder with her finger. “Her sport’s not karate, it’s wrestling. She’s competing next Saturday, so make sure you find time today to wish her well.” Grace rolled her eyes to the corners. “That is, if you’re not afraid of her.”
Houston flexed his arm as if to say, Not a chance, as a smile grew beneath his gray mustache. Grace’s aunt Alcie hobbled toward them. “Those ribs ready yet, Houston?” Her voice sounded like a scratched record.
“Not yet, Auntie,” Grace answered.
“You’ll be the first to get a plate when they are,” Houston promised. “I heard you forgot your teeth, but not to worry, these babies are tender ’nough for you to eat without ’em.”
“I’m countin’ on it.” Alcie’s grin was all gums as she turned around with her cane and shuffled back to her chair in the shade.
“Oh, look.” Grace lit up with delight. “Dolly and Pete made it. Let me go say hello.”
Houston put down his utensils, wiped his hands on his apron, and grabbed her arm before she could go. “Not so fast, young lady.” He tilted his head, his white chef hat leaning, too, as he pecked Grace on the mouth. “I love you,” he growled.
Grace blushed like a new bride and walked off to meet the latest arrivals while Houston grinned like he’d just won a million dollars. Trevor took it all in with a sigh as the voice flowing from the stereo system sang, “Love is a beautiful thing.”
Cassidy stepped behind the podium and gazed across the crowded auditorium. The weather was sunny and warm, and on Sundays like this, many of the parishioners who ordinarily attended the second service came to the first so they could spend a large fraction of the day enjoying outdoor activities.
Cassidy cleared her throat and held her head higher. Standing in front of a class of children was easy. Standing in front of hundreds of people was another story. But all the jitters in the world could not discourage her from making this announcement. “I’m before you on behalf of ACES. If you haven’t heard, we lost all of the books in our library.” A murmur rippled through the congregation. “The good news is, we’re starting a readathon tomorrow, and the ACES children need your help.” Cassidy explained that the ACES students had been asked to read ten public library books in three weeks. A sponsor would give one dollar for one book read. “If any of you would like to sponsor a child, there’s a . . .”
Cassidy swallowed what was left of the sentence as she stared at Trevor. He was seated on the left side, about twelve rows back, middle of the row. She had warned herself not to look at him, but somehow her brain lost control of her eyes. Cassidy clutched the sides of the wood podium, a scatter of tingly pimples springing up on her arms. Being aware of a man was a terrible thing, especially when you didn’t want to be aware of him. But no matter how many people were in the room, she always knew exactly where Trevor was.
Cassidy glanced at Clement Audrey. He smiled and nodded that she should continue. She smiled at the congregation, focusing on no one person, as she regrouped. “As I was saying, there’s a sign-up sheet on the announcement board for anyone who would like to be a sponsor. You can sponsor a child for one book or as many books as your pocketbook or wallet can support.”
“Amen,” someone shouted.
Cassidy presented another smile, this one more cheerful. She said a few more details, offered a word of thanks, and hurried out of the pulpit to her seat between Lena and Dunbar. She found it difficult to concentrate on the rest of the service. Mental flashes of the Armstrong barbecue merged with Pastor Audrey’s sermon, and Cassidy admonished herself for not being fully focused on the message. Trying to do a better job of paying attention, she sat up straighter and flipped through her Bible to the scripture Pastor Audrey asked the congregation to find. As he read the selected passage, Cassidy tuned out his voice and once again began entertaining memories of the barbecue and the peaceful scene that played out much later as she apologized to Trevor for the way she responded to him upon learning he’d had her car fixed. The razor tongue she slashed into Trevor from time to time was not a reflection of her heart. The truth of Cassidy’s heart was that she liked Trevor. More than she was comfortable admitting with words or deeds.
Days later, Cassidy was still thinking about all this as she snacked on grapes while the other two women updated their gossip files. “Have you heard about Deacon Stanley?” Almondetta asked, dabbing at her lips with a snow-colored napkin.
“No.” Yaneesha released the word with a combination of dread and too much drama as she cleaned the lenses of her eyeglasses with the edge of her shirt.
Almondetta began her oral report, and Yaneesha put on her glasses. The young woman’s eyes grew big, indicating there was still space in her life for more of Deacon Stanley’s business. But before Almondetta could broadcast additional details, Cassidy excused her way over the church mother’s voice, then said, “Four of our seniors have birthdays next week. I’ll visit two and, Yaneesha, you can take two.” Making sure she included Almondetta
, Cassidy suggested, “Since you don’t get out much, I thought it would be nice if we wrapped the presents here and you wrote a special message on each card.”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Almondetta answered in the soft but severe manner Cassidy disliked but accepted as the way Almondetta spoke. Yaneesha helped herself to a second cinnamon bun. “They’re from Seconds,” Almondetta said. “Delicious, aren’t they?”
“Ummm-hmmm,” Yaneesha hummed, then spoke without shame, “And so is Trevor. I’m going to marry him one day.” Yaneesha went on for several minutes about the home she and Trevor were going to build, the cars they were going to drive, the cruises they were destined to sail.
“Trevor is a wise choice,” Almondetta said at the end of Yaneesha’s plans. “Stay away from those deacons and preachers. Most of them are like doctors—too busy taking care of others. You want a man who’s going to be at home in bed with you instead of sitting at the bedside of every terminally ill parishioner.” Almondetta smoothed a wrinkle out of the tablecloth. “Can you cook? As big as you are, you ought to know how to cook a husband a decent meal.”
“I cook in the bedroom, and that’s where it matters the most,” Yaneesha said with confident twinkles in her eyes as she raised her palm for Cassidy to slap with Amen.
Cassidy passed on the invitation while Almondetta voiced her opinion. “That may be so, young lady. But you just make sure you aren’t slinging your meals all over the church. A God-fearing man like Trevor ain’t about to eat out the same pot as another.”
chapter twenty
Pork chops smothered in gravy. Creamy mashed potatoes seasoned with bits of bacon. Green peas and mushrooms glazed with garlic and butter sauce. “And a beautiful woman, too,” Trevor gloried, placing a bouquet of lilies on the table. He rushed Brenda away from the stove and into his arms, close to his heart.
