Page 20 of Somebody Else Will

“Yeah, but you funded the festivities, and I have a feeling this was your idea too.”

“Well, it was, but that isn’t important.”

She chuckled and kissed my cheek. As we danced, I noticed Denishia walking out of the venue with her grandmother and employees on her heels. I had to finish dancing with my mama before I could go see about her.

“So is the florist the young lady that’s been making you work so hard?”

I frowned as I looked down at my mama. “Work so hard for what?”

“Don’t play with me, boy. You said she wasn’t in Houston, but you were able to drive to go see her. I could tell by the wayyou looked at her a minute ago. I’m your mama. Ain’t nothing get by me. You didn’t have that same look when you talked about the event planner.”

I took a deep breath. “That’s her. I found out earlier today that her mom passed away. The funeral is Monday. She just left out. I can imagine my talk about you and us dancing here reminded her of her mother.”

“Oh my God. I can’t believe she still showed up to decorate. Why don’t you go see about her?” she asked as she pulled away from me.

“After the song goes off, I will. I need to finish our dance. This is your night. It will be off in a minute,” I responded as the cameras flashed.

“Okay. Well, she’s a beautiful woman, son. I hope everything works out.”

I smiled slightly as I glanced at where Denishia was once seated. Her workers had come back, but she and her grandmother were still gone. When the song ended, I kissed my mama’s cheek and hugged her, then headed to Denishia’s employees. When I got to them, I didn’t have to say a word. I was sure my lifted eyebrows were asking all the questions.

“She’s in the dressing room,” the one that worked last Friday said.

I nodded at her and made my way down the corridor. After turning the corner, I picked up my pace. I didn’t want to call attention to myself by being in a hurry in front of everyone. I didn’t need to be followed. I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. I could hear her grandmother’s voice, though, so I knocked again. “Denishia, it’s me.”

After a few seconds, her grandmother opened the door and allowed me to enter. Once I did, she left out. Denishia lifted her head to look at me, and the sorrowful expression on her facemade my heart sink, like earlier. I sat next to her on the couch and put my arm around her. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

“I’m okay, Ezekiel. You should be back in there enjoying yourself with your mother and her guests.”

“She has plenty of people to keep her entertained. I needed to see about you.”

“I’m okay. Please go back inside. I’ll be behind you in just a minute. I need to fix my makeup.”

She quickly stood from the couch before I could stop her and went into the bathroom. I made my way to the door to find it locked. “Denishia, please let me be there for you, baby.”

“I’ll be out in a minute, Ezekiel. Go enjoy the party.”

I took a deep breath and walked away and out of the dressing room. Her grandmother was seated on the bench in the corridor. She stood when she saw me approaching without Denishia.

“She wouldn’t come out.”

“No, ma’am. She locked herself in the bathroom. As soon as the party is over, I’ll be back to see about her.”

She nodded as a couple of tears slid down her cheeks. I gently pulled her in my arms and gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Miss Patsy was a friendly lady. She was a character too.”

She chuckled softly. “That she was. She was so excited to meet you. She’d called and told me about it when she was on her way to Denishia’s house that evening. My sweet and crazy daughter.”

She gave my hand a squeeze, along with a tight smile, and I did the same, then headed back to the party. When I got back inside, I sat with her employees. I sat next to the one I was most familiar with and asked, “What’s your name again?”

“Jamia.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t remember for the life of me. Can I have your number to check on her later? I have a feeling she’s goingto box me out. She locked herself in the bathroom and refused to come out, saying I needed to be in the party.”

“Sure. She’s so selfless. She’s always thinking about others. But she’s also extremely hardheaded. That’s why we’re back in here. She said since we were the ones that talked her into staying for the party, we should be enjoying ourselves,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

She typed her number in, then gave the phone to me to save her contact information. I was sure to put Happily Ever After Floral Shop on there, just in case I forgot her name again. I took a deep breath and said, “I’m worried about her. I may head to Beaumont tomorrow, just to be there for her.”

They glanced at each other and smiled. “Mister Wheeler, I’m Jerzey. Honestly, I think you’re good for her. She probably won’t admit it any time soon. Don’t give up on her. She’s an amazing woman that needs someone to love her right. I feel like you are that someone. We both do. While we would hate for you to take our girl away from us, we want to see her happy. We could clearly see the happiness on her face when you dropped her off earlier.”

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