Cicely grabbed the plate and a set of tongs, picking up pieces of roast, veggies, and salad. I put Lucky on the floor then washed my hands. I slid a glass under the ice machine and pushed hot water on the screen. It was an upgrade I had installed that automatically gave me purified water to cut down on plastic bottles in the house.
Once I finished my lunch, I went to my room, turned the shower on, and grabbed something comfortable to sleep in since I was in for the rest of the day. I freshened up on the plane, but I could still smell him on me. Testing the water, I saw it wasn’t the right temperature, so I picked up a hair clip to keep my hair out of the way while it heated to my desired preference. Once it was ready, I stepped inside, then grabbed my washcloth, and lathered it with my favorite coconut and lavender body wash to clean the weekend away.
Sunday
Grunting in annoyance, I felt the covers get pulled back and the curtains open, letting the sunlight get inside.
“Get out!” I shouted, pulling the blanket back over my head.
“No, it’s noon, and you need to get up and get dressed,” my cousin’s wife Emery, said.
“Is she up yet?” I heard another voice yell out before they walked into my bedroom with a plate that smelled like Cicely made her famous double cheeseburgers on avocado toast.
“Who invited you two in here?” I questioned, still under the covers.
“Ryles told us about your little weekend of fun, and Auntie Chavonne was going to come over here until we said we would check on you,” Emery told me.
“Emery, you’re the last person who should be giving me advice on one-night stands,” I replied, causing Essence to choke on her food while Emery just waved me off.
“For your information, I’m not here to give you advice, only to check up on you so Jackson doesn’t get involved.”
“Why would he get involved? I’m twenty-three, an adult who owns her house, pays her own bills, and might I add, has a job.”
“Yes, but you were acting reckless in Vegas, and I do remember two years ago, how you flew off to Europe so you could go find yourself. Jackson thinks of you like a little sister, and you’ve been wanting to get into the driving side of the business, correct?” Emery asked, and I tilted my head, knowing this was the biggest issue with my family, not supporting my dreams.
“Go, put some clothes on, nasty,” Essence said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Do you pay bills here?” I asked.
“No, but you have company, so get dressed,” Essence responded.
“Ughh, you get on my nerves,” I replied before I jumped up, stomped over to the closet to grab a pair of jeans and t-shirt to get dressed in the bathroom.
“Where’s Ry?” I questioned from the other side of the bathroom door.
“She’s with Ace somewhere,” Emery answered.
“What do you have planned for today? I’m not going to family dinner. I’m tired and want to relax in my home,” I said, checking my messages.
Emery and Essence followed me out of my bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen. Cicely was doing the Electric Slide, and I chuckled. When I purchased my place, she decided that on Sundays, she’d cook a big lunch and dinner, so I could just imagine what she had set up for today. I lifted the lid and smelled the spices of onions, garlic, and oregano bubbling in the pot of stew.
Taking the wooden spoon out of her hand, I tasted the flavors and closed my eyes, ready to stare at the food.
“This tastes so good,” I said, rubbing my stomach.
Essence took a seat on the island, finishing her bowl of stew. Turning to the fridge, I grabbed a can of ginger ale and sat next to her.
“Emery, how are the kids doing?” Cicely questioned.
“They’re good and spoiled, thanks to Jackson.” Emery chuckled, standing against the island with her arms crossed.
“I know JJ wants me to pick him up for the weekend. I might bring all the kids over for a party,” I said.
“That’s fine with me. Keep them for the week if you want. So, tell me about this weekend?” Emery queried.
Cicely placed a bowl in front of us with spoons and napkins.
“Are you heading out for the day?” I inquired as I cut a piece of cornbread.