Page 222 of Lovers' Dance

“It’s a surprise—”

“Come on,” I threw over my shoulder. I was moving my ass. Matt’s chair screeched across the floor as he got up and followed me with long strides. When we entered the sitting room, the front door was open and a man with a clipboard stood there with a harassed look on his face. Uncle David had big eyes, I’m talking massively stretched eyes, that indicated he was unsure of what would happen next. Jenny’s mouth was hanging open. Jamal was stationed at the far end of the room. It looked like he was taking cover.

Aunt Cleo had the brightest smile I had ever seen on her face. It was bright and utterly fake. Oh, Jesus, have mercy. Please, God, don’t let her kill my Matt.

Matt smiled politely at clipboard man. “I’m Mr Bradley. I trust everything in my order is as specified?”

The man started at Matt’s British accent and nodded. “Yes. One complete Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Is there a back entrance we can use to bring the food in?”

Matt looked askance at me. My hand was clutching my chest. I think I was having a heart attack. This was what it felt like? Would I see a white light soon?

“Madi?” he called. His voice sounded far away. Yes, yes, I would be heading into the light soon. I looked forward to the light.

Uncle David jumped into action. He took charge, stepping out of the front door in his slippers and robe-covered stripped pyjamas as he issued directions to clipboard man.

“You ordered Thanksgiving dinner,” I croaked. My voice sounded tinny, my mouth was dry and my heart was on its last legs.

Matt was wearing that brilliant smile of his. He looked pleased. My dying heart died a bit quicker at his eager delight.

Aunt Cleo turned on her heels, her gaze landing on my face. And my heart stopped. I was dead. Dante would need to keep my company going. He would be sad over my untimely demise, but I had faith he would keep our dream alive.

My aunt, smiling, glanced at Matt, then strode out of the sitting room towards the kitchen.

Matt’s smile was faltering, he was picking up on the vibes. He arched an eyebrow at me. I was thinking the brain is still active a few minutes after death; I was thinking how to get Matt home safely. Was the Hulk out front? The Escalade had been parked outside the Johnsons’s every time Matt was here. Maybe I could send out a mental SOS to the Hulk.

“Holy shit,” Jenny whispered, finding her voice. “Girl, you and Matt better haul ass outta here.”

“Pardon?” Matt sounded unsure. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going in the kitchen,” Jamal advised, moving away from his safe spot. “I have to see this for myself.”

Matt started looking worried.

Jenny shut the front door, shooting pitying looks at Matt and me before hustling after Jamal.

“Poppet?” Matt sounded alarmed. “Ah, is everything okay?”

“Everything’s gonna be all right, Matt,” I said in a dazed voice. I was chanting Bob Marley’s song in my head.Every little thing is gonna be alright, baby don’t worry, about a thing…if I focused on those words, it might come to pass. Like a zombie I took his arm and led him out of the sitting room to our impending doom. No, the great Bob Marley knew what he was talking about. There was no need to worry.

We all stood silently as Uncle David organized the caterers trekking dirt in on his wife’s pristine kitchen floor with trays of food in their arms. There was so much food.

Baby don’t worry, about a thing, ’cos every little thing…I gripped Matt’s arm tightly. He twisted his head in my direction and mouthed “What’s wrong?”

I patted his muscled arm and forced a smile to my lips. When the food had been brought in and the caterers gone, I grabbed the bull by the horns.

“Well, isn’t this a nice surprise?” I said jovially.

Aunt Cleo regarded Matt coolly. Matt froze, then he, oh fuck, he stepped behind me, putting my small body in front of his. I guess he needed me to be his shield. I couldn’t blame him though, the look dwelling in Aunt Cleo’s eyes was something.

“Ah,” he began in an unusually meek voice. “I thought it would be nice if you ladies, ah, didn’t have to spend all day cooking.” Matt gripped my waist tightly. “Seeing as you spent the better part of yesterday in the kitchen preparing food for the party, which I quite enjoyed by the way, I thought it would be a welcome break for you to relax and not have to worry about…” His voice trailed off weakly.

“That’s nice of Matt, isn’t it Uncle David?” I asked, hoping my uncle would give me a bit of support. He was the only one who could calm Auntie Cleo.

“Yes, very nice of him,” Uncle David agreed, going over to pat Auntie Cleo gently on the arm. “You spend so much time in the kitchen running about after everyone. This will be a nice change, babe. You can put your feet up for once.”

Aunt Cleo turned to watch Uncle David for a second, her gaze fell to his hand on her arm before returning to his face. He took a slow step back.

“Thank you very much, Matt,” she said politely to Matt, who was still using me as a shield. “It is a nice thought. Since I now have so much free time on my hands today, I’m going upstairs to pretty myself up.” With shoulders back, she swept out the kitchen. Uncle David rubbed a hand over his face, then hurried after his wife.

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