Page 26 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Does your mother know?”

“Yes, we stopped by there earlier,” I lie again.

“At least you keep it consistent,” he says wryly. He’s okay as long as he and Mom find out at the same time.

“Dad, come on.” He waves me away and turns to Dele.

“My dear, what’s your name?” He asks her again, like I didn’t mention it—maybe he just needs to hear it again.

“Ayodele, but everyone calls me Dele,” she says, pronouncing her name clearly.

“Dele,” he says it right the first time, which makes me smile.

“What’s the meaning of your name?”

“Joy comes home.” Dad smiles and takes her hand, placing his other hand on it. She smiles at him, and I watch as my dad warms up to her. She truly has the gift of warmth.

“Yes, I agree. Joy has indeed arrived home. Welcome home, dear,” Dad says happily. We spend the next few hours talking. He asks Dele more questions when he finds out she’s a nurse and working towards her bachelor’s degree.

“I plan to do my master’s right after,” Dele says, surprising me. I didn’t know she planned to go further.

“That’s great. Just make room for my grandbabies,” he says.

“Noted,” Dele answers, smiling at him. I keep a smile plastered on my face, even as the idea slowly soothes me.

We have dinner with Dad and Susanna, who seem chirpy all evening. Dad gets all chatty, telling stories that make Dele laugh. When she leaves to use the bathroom, “I like her, though I’m not happy my only child got married without me,” he says.

“Dad, Dele’s schedule is tight.”

“She goes to school.” He sounds like, ‘How hard can it be to plan a wedding around a school schedule?’

“Dele works full-time at Lakeshore Meds and goes to school full-time. I’m trying to get her to work fewer hours.”

“Hardworking one like your mother, just don’t mess things up.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. Congratulations,” he says after hours, and I know it’s sincere. “Just get to work on making my grandbabies.”

“No pressure, Dad,” I answer.I just need to get past my wife’s locked bedroom door.

Dele returns, and we head out. To my surprise, Dad summons the energy to hug Dele. We say goodnight to Dad and Susanna.

Chapter 16

LUKE

In the next few days of us living together, Dele has piled on her schedule so tight that I only see her when she’s sleeping. She’s gone before I wake every morning, and asleep when I wake during the night. One night in between, she doesn’t come home. I’m pulling my hair out, wondering if she’s visiting the guy who said, “You love me,” or if she went to Osei’s place. Luckily, Mom told me Osei is home with her and my stepfather. It doesn’t stop me from wondering where she is.

I stayed home until she arrived around noon the next day. She looks tired and worn out.

“Hi,” she says, surprised to see me home.

“Hi,” I answer in a gruff tone.

“Is something wrong?” she asks, looking perplexed at me.

“You didn’t come home last night. I thought something happened to you. I called and texted you several times, and you didn’t respond,” I state in an even tone, though I’m beyondpissed, but glad she returned. Not like I wouldn’t have chased her ass across the continent. Still, I’m relieved she came home.

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