Page 19 of So I Know it's Real

My eyes sprang open, searching the room to see if anyone heard him. Unfortunately, everyone was looking in our direction. I shook my head while repeatedly mouthing the wordsorry. However, the second my gaze landed on Durk, I could not move. Frown lines assembled in the center of his forehead as he shifted in his seat. The wonder on his face was just as profound as the shock I felt when I noticed him.

“Mama, who is that man?” Tatum asked, looking back and forth between me and Durk.

“Nobody, son. Watch your mouth and pay attention.”

I followed my advice and focused on the pulpit. Pastor Williams announced we would take up an offering before he preached, so I handed the boys a few dollars and sent them with Karlie. After lusting in church like a Jezebel, I needed to stay put.

Durk and I hadn’t spoken since the day I saved his life, but I didn’t feel slighted. Though his statement to Davis visited me during moments of silence, I figured Durk’s ego motivated his declaration. His aggression didn’t bother me, but it reminded me I may not be ready for a friend like Durk. Don’t get me wrong; he had every right to defend himself. I just had an inkling Durk was a hothead no matter the situation.

After the service was over, everyone filled the church’s annex at the mention of refreshments. There were round tables covered in white tablecloths and gold chairs positioned around the room. Balloon pillars sat near every entrance, and gospel music played at a low volume from overhead speakers. The aroma of fried chicken and cake smothered the space, making my mouth water.

From the doorway, I saw my mom passing out plates and my dad sitting at a table near Mother Jo and her family. I considered finding a few seats on the other side of the room, but I knew my kids could not be in the same area as their grandparents and not be in their faces.

“Hey, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek. “I’m going to leave my purse here and go help the ladies in the kitchen.”

“All right, baby. While you’re back there, wrap me up a few chicken breasts and a piece of cake. I can have that with my coffee in the morning.”

I winked at the old head. “I got you.”

I was in the kitchen for all of two minutes before my mom handed me an apron and urged me to wash my hands so I could pass out pre-sliced pieces of cake. For the most part, I enjoyedhelping my elders and catching up with people I hadn’t seen in years. However, being that I was working, I couldn’t run and hide when Durk approached me.

“Pound cake or 7up cake?” I heard myself ask.

“Which one did you make?”

“How do you know I made either?”

“This isn’t my first rodeo. The one who serves it is usually the chef.”

I hated he was right, and I hated I couldn’t help but beam at the observation.

“I made the pound cake—”

“Buttah!” Mother Jo snarled. “If you don’t move this line along and stop flirting in the church, I’m going to kick your behind. I don’t care about you being my grandson.”

“Mama, ain’t nobody flirting. You just peeped the chemistry.”

I tapped his plate with a pair of tongs.

“You heard what she said,Buttah. You’re holding up the line.”

Mother Jo had been a member of the church since before I was born. She was a kind lady but blunt. I had seen her daughter plenty of times. I just didn’t know her grandson was the man in my dreams.

“Ms. Jesse, is this your daughter?” Mother Jo pointed between me and my mom. “It’s been years since I’ve seen her. You are still as beautiful as I remember, Clover.”

I blushed under their stares. “Thank you, Mother Jo. That’s sweet of you to say.”

When I stepped back from the table, I nearly tripped over my kids. Pierce looped his arm around mine while Tatum moved in front of us.

Durk winked at me then mugged Tatum. “Why are you watching me so hard, little one?”

“The same reason you’re watching my mama.”

“Yo’ mama? This pretty lady belongs to you?”

“Yeah. Who are you?”

Before Durk could reply, Pierce freed my arm. Like an old man in a little person’s body, he squared his shoulders and approached Durk with his hand out.

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