Page 76 of Honey's Special Roux

As we set up payment plans for the medical bills Granny had racked up while she was alive, I found myself in deep thought for weeks. I’d spent so much time running, my child had missed out on the same bonds I’d grown at his age. He missed out on cooking with Granny Janie on Sundays. He’d missed cousin sleepovers and so much more.

“We have Marquise to thank for that.” Mama gave me a knowing look.

“Wait, no. What does Marquise have to do with this?” I asked with a raised brow. “How do you know it wasn’t y’all who made me make the decision to stay?”

Daddy chuckled. “The man is persistent, and he has been tearing down the walls around your heart since he knocked on our door all that time ago.”

“Well, I’m not ready to date right now. Baby steps.”

“Mm-hmm. You’ve been in love with that man since y’all were fast-tailed teenagers.”

“Let’s not go down memory lane, please. I have to get the last of Quis’s bedroom set up before he gets back to the house. He’s been with Jenifer all weekend. They’ve had a blast.”

Jenifer had done me a solid for keeping Quis while I transitioned into the new house. I had movers pack up my home in California a week ago, and the load arrived Friday morning. Moe would be here to resume his duties as my driver on Monday. He had alongtwenty-three-hour drive. He would break it down on a three-day trip. The plan was to drive eight hours a day, with the trailer carrying the things he would need to make Houston home. I asked him was he sure he wanted to uproot his life to be my driver in Texas. He said there was nothing left in California for him. A fresh start was what he needed.

“Are you going to have a housewarming party?” Mama asked as she and Daddy followed me outside to the SUV I’d rented to move around until my cars arrived.

“Probably later down the line. I have so much to do. Between getting y’all caught up financially, looking for a school for Quis, and looking for the perfect building to open for my new restaurant, there’s a lot on my plate. I’d rather not add planning a party to that as well.”

“We appreciate all you’re doing for us, but you need to stop and smell the roses sometimes, Sweet Tea.”

“I know, Daddy. I’ll do better at enjoying the now, but right now, I have to be in micromanage mode.”

“Once you’re settled into the new place, take a breath.” Mama kissed my temple.

“I love y’all.” I poked out my bottom lip.

“We love you too,” they replied in unison.

“I’ll call y’all later. I need to beat the lunchtime traffic back to my neighborhood.”

Once the last of my boxes were stacked in the back of the SUV, I gave them tight hugs and headed back to my new house.

The house was in Katy near the Katy Mills Mall. It was in a newer neighborhood. The modern theme was cute and quaint—not as flashy as my home in California had been. I preferred the cozy feel, anyway.

My phone rang. I looked at the dash briefly before hitting the answer button on the steering wheel.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Hey. What are you up to?” His voice was calm.

I smiled. “Why?”

“Man, what y’all got planned for this evening?”

“Quis will be home around five o’clock. He spent the weekend with Jenifer. They were all over the damn town. They went to Dig World, the art museum, and Urban Air. I’ll send you those pictures when I get settled in.”

Marquise chuckled. “You ain’t answer my question.”

“Oh, nothing. My boy has had an eventful weekend. I’m probably going to cook a quick dinner and let him rest.”

“Can I come over and cook?”

I raised an eyebrow, even though he couldn’t see my expression. “You want to come over and cook?”

“I think it would be a cool bonding activity if we all made something together. If you’re cool with that.” I could hear the nervousness in his tone.

“What do you want to cook? Are you bringing the groceries for this adventure? Or do I need to make an order?”

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