Page 5 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

Naomi pouted, closed her eyes, and nodded. Then I watched as she took a deep breath, lifted her shoulders up and back, cracked her neck from side to side, and then plastered a bright, winning smile on her face. “Okay, let’s do this. There’s no getting out of it.” She hesitated and then looked at me with those Bambi-like doe eyes. “Unless… We could just elope and then tell everyone about the wedding after the fact,” she hinted.

I burst out laughing and shook my head. “Woman, you need to stop fretting. My family is really cool. Just roll with it. And no matter what, I’ve got your back. All right?”

She sighed heavily. “Yeah, you’ve got my back. Fine, let’s go.” She pulled the handle to open the door of the rented Land Rover and got out of the car.

I got out and went around the car to take her hand. She was trembling more than my Granny did at the ripe old age of seventy-five. The same Granny who was watching us from the porch.

“Is that who I think it is?” Granny hollered.

“Yes ma’am, it is,” I smiled and tugged on Naomi’s arm until she followed me up the walk.

Granny stood and held her arms open the second we made it to the top of the steps.

“My boy!” she gushed in that beloved tone I adored.

“Granny,” I said and enfolded her round body in my arms. “I missed you so much.”

She pulled back. “Welp, let me get a good look at‘cha.” She cupped my cheeks and turned my face this way and that. “You’re looking a little thinner than the last time I laid eyes on you, son. Nothin’ a good meal or six won’t fix. Now who’s this looker you’ve got with you?” She pushed me to her side, with an arm around my waist so she could take in my girl.

I grinned. Nothing got past Gran. “Granny, this is my girlfriend, Naomi Shaw. Naomi, this is Althea Taylor, but everyone calls her Granny.” I didn’t announce Naomi as my fiancée just yet. The plan Naomi and I came up with on the plane ride from New York to here was that we’d tell them over dinner tonight when everyone was present. Everyone except Syd, that is, but she already knew we were engaged. Sydney was the only person who knew the truth.

Granny pursed her lips and sucked at her teeth. “Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing? Reminds me of my Sydney.” She gestured to Naomi’s attire. “Always dressing up in fancy clothes in the middle of the week. You know, you don’t always have to wear your church clothes when you come around, though I like a woman who presents herself well to the family. Shows you care.”

“Um, thank you.” Naomi swallowed and twisted her fingers together in front of her. “I’ll keep that advice in mind.”

Such a class act.

“You go to church?” Granny asked, zeroing her gaze on Naomi, putting her right on the spot. “Lord knows we all needto worship His good name, if we want good in our lives. Can I get an amen to that?” She pressed both of her hands together in a prayer position in front of her chest and looked up to the heavens as though God and Jesus himself were paying close attention to everything she said.

“Gran, don’t start recruiting my girlfriend as one of your new parishioners to your church. You’ve just met. Give it some time to get to know her before you start any of that.Jesus!” I clapped back.

“Jesus? Boy, I know you did not just use the Lord’s name like that to make a point. You’d best keep that mouth quiet. Now, have a seat and pour yourselves some lemonade. Goodness gracious. Acting a fool in front of your girl.” She clucked her tongue as though I was the one that started the smack talk.

“Yeah, Memphis. Don’t say the Lord’s name in vain.” Naomi smirked and took a seat next to Gran.

I hooked a finger toward Granny. “You’re on her side…already?” I asked in a playful tone.

“Mmm hmm, as it should be. We women stick together, son. Surprised you haven’t figured that out, living in a home full of women.” She gestured toward the extra glasses. “Your girl looksparched,and your granny could use a refill.”

“I’ve been here all of five minutes, and I’ve already been relegated to server. I see how it is, Granny. No love for your favorite grandson.”

“Oh, my love for you knows no bounds, Memphis. Lord knows that doesn’t change the fact that I’m old, I’m the matriarch of this family, and I ain’t got the time for your sass.” Her tone brooked absolutely no argument. I knew better than to clap back. Besides, Granny was already on her newest victim.

“Naomi Shaw, now why does that name sound familiar to me? You famous, sugar?”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m famous, but my family has been in the news many times over the years. My father is Abraham Shaw.”

“The famous miner?”

She knew exactly who he was, which didn’t surprise me, because Granny had a thing for keeping track of the rich and famous, especially if they were Black.

“That would be the one.” Naomi gave a half-hearted smile. I knew she didn’t like talking about her family.

“And Naomi is a successful jeweler. She creates things you’d imagine royalty wearing. Nay, show my Granny that piece you wore the day we met. Do you have a picture of it?” I said with pride.

She smiled at me and pulled her phone out of her purse, scrolled through her gallery and turned the phone to show Granny.

“Whoo boy!” Granny fanned her face. “That is some rock!”

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