Page 109 of Don Caselli

“Everything alright?”

“Yeah, some shit that came up.”

“Hmm.”

“What’s thathmmfor?”

“It’s not a bad hmm, if that’s what you’re hinting at. Just curious about you, babe… nothing more.”

He kissed my hand. “I got you.”

When we arrived at the restaurant, I could tell the view was going to be breathtaking. As we exited the car, I could see small peeks of the island through the trees that lined the front of the restaurant.

It was so quiet as we walked in and the host stood there ready to greet us. “Welcome to East. We are so honored and happy to have you dining with us tonight, Mr. Caselli,” the woman with long, blonde, boho braids greeted us.

I could hear a hint of an accent in her voice, as she looked over toward me with a smile. “Happiest birthday, Ms. Perkins.”

“Thank you!”

She waved for us to follow behind her, as she explained the menu to us. As we walked through the restaurant, I noticed that it was empty. “Where is everyone?”

“Oh, tonight is a special event. Mr. Caselli has paid to close the restaurant down tonight for just the two of you.”

I squeezed Landon’s hand as he smirked at me. “Anything for my baby.”

When I was in high school, every girl in my grade would get balloons for her birthday. Whatever boy had a crush on them would get them balloons and deliver them to homeroom on their birthday. I remember when Antwan got me balloons and flowers and brought them to homeroom. You couldn’t tell me that I wasn’t that bitch because everybody was talking about it all day.

That was high school.

This man closed a whole restaurant so he could have me to himself while we enjoyed my birthday dinner. When we made it to the table, the view of the sun setting over the water and island had me in a trance. I was so caught up in the view that when I felt a hand on my back, I jumped.

“Mamas, be aware of your surroundings.” The voice had me stuck in place and not wanting to turn around because I was for sure losing my mind.

I turned around and my parents were standing there. My mother wearing a beautiful orange maxi dress, and my father in his two-piece set that he got from a website that he was skeptical about but eased up once his package arrived.

Landon stood behind them with his hands in his pocket smiling at me. “How? In…I spok… Momm…” I couldn’t finish a complete sentence to save my life.

They both hugged and kissed me on the cheek. “Happy birthday, baby. Landon called your father and asked if we could take off to come surprise you for your birthday. When I spoke to you earlier, I was trying hard not to let it slip.”

“So, you lied about work?”

“No, that was yesterday. I almost let it slip that I couldn’t wait to see and hug you later.” She hugged me tighter, like she had done when I was younger and saw something that broke her heart at work.

“Mommy… I cannot believe you both are here.”

My father held his fist out to Landon, and he bumped it. “Don made this shit happen. Appreciate you, G.”

“Ain’t nothing, Old Head.” They bumped fists again.

“Greene knew?”

“Yeah. I told her this morning when you were talking to your mother. I stuck around ‘cause Ro told me she can’t hold water.”

“Oh, fuck you, babe! Stop telling my business, ” My mother started laughing, as she hugged me again. “I needed this birthday hug from you. Can still remember when you were three and asked for your first birthday hug.”

I swiped away a tear. “It did feel weird that I didn’t get one from you today.”

“And now you have had one… beautiful baby.” She fixed my curls, and took me in. My motherwantedto be a mom.

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