Page 38 of Always There Bayou
“So, since you couldn’t have your drink, how about we stop by the store and get the ingredients to make my world-famous strawberry milkshakes?” she asks, and my face lights up.
“Ah, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her neck. I peppered her face with kisses, and she chuckled, enjoying the treatment. “Oooh, I’ve been craving one for months.”
“Well, my love, let’s go get you what you want, shall we?”
“We shall,” I smile, and she shakes her head at my comment, but the smile is still on her face.
We found a nearby grocery store and collected all of the ingredients we needed, as well as a dinner that I had planned to make for us later that night. I felt like I was on top of the world as I sipped on my second milkshake. She wasn’t the best cook in the world, but she had the desserts thing down pat. Of course, she could make a killer milkshake, but she was also skilled at making fudge brownies and ooey-gooey cake. I mean, she didn’t make it as often as she used to, but she could keep up with the best pastry chefs if it ever came to it.
Later that night, as we were cuddling in her bed, we talked about what our plans would be for the next couple of weeks. I told her that I wanted to visit my dad soon, and she agreed to come with me, something she always did when she could. My dad loved her as if she were his own, and he always thanked her for looking out for me while he was away. I hadn’t told him that she and I were dating yet, but I knew that he was gonna be over the moon once he heard.
I couldn’t wait until he was home. He’d been in jail since I was six, so I didn’t get the whole father experience like most people did. Don’t get me wrong, my uncle was there for me from the very beginning, and he was the perfect father figure, but at the end of the day, I wish my dad had been around to help raise me. Now, I’ll never be mad at him for doing what he did, but I did feel sad that I’d pretty much lost two parents in two days.
That’s okay, though. He only had less than eight months left on his sentence, and I was counting down the days until he was back home. Even though I visited him at least once a month, I couldn’t wait until I was able to see him every day. Then we could make up for all the lost time.
“Just thinking about it makes me happy,” I admit to Cory, and she nods, pulling me into her arms.
“I know it does, and I’m excited for you,” she admits. “We’ll be able to celebrate next Christmas with him.”
“Ahh, I know, right?” I squeal, cuddling up in her arms. I let out a yawn as my eyelids grew heavy. “Goodnight, Corduroy. I love you.”
“Goodnight, Bunny,” she whispers, kissing me softly on the nose. “I love you, too. Sweet dreams, gorgeous.”
I allow my eyes to close as I slowly drift off to Dreamland, accompanied by the sleep sounds playlist that’s playing softly in the background and the warmth of my girlfriend. Everything was perfect.
10
Distractions Bayou.
CoryTate-December31st, 2024
“A pajama party? Really?” I reply as I place the phone down on the workout bench beside me. I pick up two dumbbells and start doing a few reps as I glance at Simone on the screen. She’s eating a slice of pizza, waiting for me to answer her. “Why does it have to be a pajama party?”
“Because that's what my fiancé wants,” she says, matter-of-factly. “And what she wants, she gets, so you better come in pajamas or you’re not getting in. Simple.”
“Y’all are insufferable,” I groan. “I’ve never heard of a New Year's Eve pajama party. That’s wild.”
“No, what’s wild is your hair still not being retwisted,” she retorts, and I almost drop one of the dumbbells. She laughs as I place them back on the rack. “Not you bouta hurt yourself! I knew all them fucking muscles were fake!”
“Fuck you, Simone,” I say, snatching up the phone. “And don’t worry about my hair, bitch. Denny is gonna do it for me once I get back from the gym.”
“Make sure you bring Denny, too! Nala has been asking about them and wants to introduce them to Iysis,” she tells me.
“Yeah, they were gonna come anyway,” I informed her, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat. “Usually we spend New Year’s Eve inside because you know how much they get triggered by the fireworks.” She nods, understanding. “Y’all live in the heart of downtown, so I’ll just have to make sure to keep Denny occupied while the fireworks are going off.”
“Ugh,” Simone groaned as I smirked. “I don’t even wanna know the details.”
“No, you don’t,” I chuckle.
“Okay, well, let me get going. We still need to get a few things for tonight. Nala plans on cooking.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to you later,” I say before we hang up.
My stomach grumbled, and I knew then that it was time for me to head back home. I’d been in the gym for the last two hours because I was making up for the days that I’d missed. It was now a bit after 10, so I knew that Denny was probably up and finally shuffling to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
They never woke up before 10. Even in college, none of their classes started before lunchtime because they wouldn’t have made it to any before then. It’s almost like their body was against waking up early, but it is also probably because they were a night owl and often stayed up well past midnight working on a new painting or sculpture.
I sighed, chuckling to myself as I collected my things and headed to the locker room. I took a quick shower and dressed in the extra clothes I had in the locker I rented from this gym. Well, technically, the locker was included in the yearly membership fee, but still.
