Page 60 of Embrace

“You got money! We gonna have a field day on your dime.” Ally chuckled.

“Don’t go too crazy, but there isn’t a limit on the card.”

“Say no more!” Mari squealed.

“I appreciate all of y’all.”

“We appreciate you, Blaze. We’re so happy to see how much you pour into our baby,” Mama Vanna stated with a smile.

“I’m doing the best I can. I would give everything to Suvi,” I explained.

“When do you want us to get started?” Pops asked.

I gave them timeframes for each task. When the call ended, I felt lighter as the excitement of what was to come grew more intense. After the call, I took a break and ate lunch. Then I went back to the bay to check on the last few cars before closing. Since opening our business at the new location, we’ve had a huge increase in business. Not only had we added four more mechanics to the roster, but we also had two receptionists to schedule appointments and handle the lobby. Freddie and Rontre were happy to move through both shops. We all rotated through both locations. Suvi ignited a spark in me. She’d inspired me to want to create a chain of auto body shops. I even thought about working with local trade schools to get their students some internship hours in my shops. The possibilities were endless.

“Yo. I need to talk to everybody,” I called out as I entered the bay.

The four mechanics on duty stopped their tasks and made their way over to me. I informed them of my absence the following day. I told them they could split my appointments and take home the commission. They were happy about the offer. With all of my ducks in a row, I was ready to sweep my wife off her feet this weekend.

"You want to outdo me?” Suvi asked as I led her down the path to our destination.

My nerves grew with each step we took. Would she enjoy the weekend I had planned for us? Would she like the creative spins I took to make it memorable?

“What are you talking about, my love?” I asked as I stood in front of the door to our room.

“You blindfolded me, and got a surprise waiting for me, like I did a few months back. If you want to outshine me, just say that.”

“We’ve been locked in for six months. I want tonight to illustrate how in love with you I am.”

Suvi cooed. “You’re in love with me?”

“What do those rapper girls be saying? Real bad.”

Suvi laughed. “I know that’s right, my man.”

I pushed open the door and placed her in the area she would have the best view of the decorations I spent all afternoon preparing.

“Ta da!” I sang as I removed the blindfold.

Her smile was brighter than the sun as she looked around the room. “Blaze… You did all of this for me?”

“Yes.”

On the dining room table was her favorite home cooked meal: smothered pork chops, sweet corn on the cob, and rice and gravy. There was a bottle of tequila on the bar, and a special area in the far-right corner near the floor to ceiling windows where I’d have something for us later tonight.

“You cooked?” Suvi asked as her eyes went back to the dinner waiting. I’d made sure it was steaming hot so it wouldn’t be cold when we sat down to eat.

“Hell naw. I delegated the job to our wonderful mothers.”

“I know that’s right!” Suvi headed toward the table. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We sat down, said grace, and tore the food up like we’d never eaten before. During dinner, we talked about our week. I told her about the way I’d executed the plan, leaving out the surprise that would greet us when we made it back home.

“You did your big one, baby.” Suvi mixed herself a drink and sipped it. I placed my hands around her waist and swayed side to side. Gazing down at my caramel toned beauty, I thanked God for the moments we shared.

“I hate that phrase,” I complained.

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