Page 75 of Solomon’s Temple

“We want our family and friends to witness our union,” Temple replied, cutting him off. She stood, walked around the table, and took a seat next to him. She then grabbed his hand and smiled at him.

“I want you there. I can tell you love your son. Hell, you kept his secrets even when he had no clue you knew. Even when you could have judged and shamed him, you didn’t.” I could see her eyes glisten as she looked him in the eyes. “As I shared with you at your home, I never knew my parents. So, I want to ask if you’d do me the honor of walking me down the aisle to your son?”

A smile lifted on his face as he swiped at his eyes. “I know the reason my son stays away more than he comes. We did tend to pry a lot, but that was because he was so secretive.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “Thank you for asking. I’d be honored.”

Temple smiled and hugged him. “Thank you. The colors are white and black. Simple and classic.”

“Perfection,” he replied.

I looked down at him. “Go home, old man. Your wife may do too much, but that’s the woman you vowed your life to. Just because she pissed you off doesn’t mean you can’t talk some sense into her. I love y’all. That’s no question. But I love me more, and before I let her disrespect my wife, I’ll cut the cancer before it spreads.”

My father stood and gave me a curt nod. “I love you, Son. Always.”

“I love you too.” I gave him a hug, then saw him to the door. Once it closed, I went to pour the liquor down the drain just as Temple wrapped her arms around my waist.

“I love you.”

I smiled and turned to her. “I love you more, my love.” I kissed her lips.

“I’m hungry.”

“You know I got you, baby. What do you have a taste for?”

A salacious smirk spread across her face as she slowly dropped down on her haunches, dragging my pajama bottoms with her along the way. My teeth sank into my bottom lip and head fell back as she took me into her wet, warm mouth.

I swear I could never get tired of this.

Sunday

Ma Lula encouraged me to come to church with her this morning. I knew the reason why, and dare I say I anticipated this moment?

Since Solomon had to work in Connecticut last night and wouldn’t be back until Tuesday, I thought it was the perfect moment to address my monster-in-law.

I knew I was wrong for wanting to see my grandmother get in her ass, but the attitude, the shade, and the disrespect needed to be addressed by someone her own size.

Ma Lula didn’t exactly say she would cuss her bourgeois, judgmental ass out, but I knew my grandmother. After I told her what happened verbatim, it was already set in stone that she would handle Mrs. Urine her way.

Service ended around one thirty. I couldn’t lie; Pastor Daniels always gave the best sermons. They were always so full of wisdom, and he didn’t preach in parables in a way that couldn’t be deciphered; he broke it down in layman’s terms, so people understood.

As we walked out of the building, we spotted Mrs. Urina talking to some of the church mothers in the parking lot.

“You sure you want to address her here, Ma Lu?” I asked, now feeling kind of bad about this.

“Absolutely,” she replied with confidence.

Ah shit.

I followed her over to the group of women and stood next to Ma Lula observing the scene.

“Sister Newman. How you doing? We missed you last Sunday,” Mother Ella said, giving Ma Lula a hug.

“Yeah. I wasn’t feeling too well, but I received some good news Monday. I dodged having to get my leg removed so I had to come give Him the glory today.”

“Amen!” Mother Ella and Sister Long exclaimed.

“That’s wonderful news, Sister Newman. God is good,” Mother Ella said.

“Yes He is,” Ma Lula agreed.