Page 81 of Let Me

“I pinch myself every morning I wake up next to you,” she tells me.

“What are you lovebirds talking about over there?”Fred asks.

“I was just telling your daughter how much I love and adore her.”

“Listen to him,” Mrs.P says.

They talk amongst themselves for a moment.We take the time to eat this delicious catered food.

Riley says, “So, how’s married life been so far, y’all?Asking for a friend.”

“It’s good,” Autumn answers.“Too freakin’ good.”

“Honey, wait ‘til you been married for thirty years,” Mrs.P.says.“That man gon’ get on your nerves so much…”

“Like y’all women don’t be getting on our nerves,” Fred says.

They chuckle, then Mother says, “It’s all a part of the process.I mean if you think about it, what’s the alternative?To be out here alone and lonely all your life.”

“I was that way for years,” I say.“And you know what?Looking back, I’m glad I was because if I hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have found the woman of my dreams.”

Blushing, Autumn says, “I’m still going to get on your nerves, though.”

“I’m ready for it, baby.I’ve been waiting my whole life for a woman to get on my nerves.”

Her mother giggles.

My Mother says, “And I’ve been waiting forever for Judah to settle down.”

“I’m just waiting for them grandbabies,” Mrs.P.says.

Mother looks at me.I look away from her.Autumn hasn’t told anyone about my condition so her mother doesn’t know that we won’t be having children, well, unless we adopt.Now, my mother knows that her parents don’t know.It’s not really a big deal, but it is probably something they should know eventually.

After dessert, I stand up and after getting everyone’s attention, I say, “I want to thank you all for sharing this special occasion with us.From the moment I met Autumn, I knew she was different.She spoke to me without saying a word.I could feel her aura when she was around, and whenever she wasn’t near me, I felt emptiness.It’s one of the ways I knew I had to have her.And so, now that I have you, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy.”

“Thank you, Judah,” she says, embracing me before I get the chance to give her the box in my right pocket.I take it out, hand it to her, and say, “Happy one-month anniversary.”

“Judah, what’s this?”

“Open it.”

She pulls the red bow and opens the box to find a Mercedes key.Then she looks up at me and says, “No way.”

“It’s outside.”

“Judah, stop.You did not buy me a car.”

I take her hand, head for the door, and step outside.I had the white G-class delivered to me while we were eating and the dealer didn’t disappoint.Not only did they get it here on time, but there’s a big red bow on it.

She brings her hands to her mouth in disbelief and says, “This is insane.”

“It’s yours.”

She embraces me again.

I say, “Go, check it out.”

Riley tugs at her arm and says, “Girl, if you don’t come on here and go check out our car.”

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