Page 116 of The Last Man on Earth
“Meat,” she says with no hesitation. “Heavy meat. I wanna still be digesting it tomorrow.”
I smile looking at her face. Damn, I missed looking at her. Being around her, just us.
I kiss the back of her hand, then give her a wink. “I know a place.”
Benny’s is the kind of hole in the wall that makes you feel like you need a shower after you leave, but it happens to have the best barbecue in all of Atlanta.
Besides, Benny is a family friend. Served in the military with my daddy before he went off the fuckin’ rails.
When he spots me at the door, his face breaks into a grin. “Oh, shit! Look at this zombie muhfucka! Come here, boy.”
He grabs me into a hug and won’t let me go. He smells like smoke and meat, but I don’t mind.
When he pulls away, he extends a hand to Ari. “Pleasure to meet you, beautiful. Congratulations.”
She smiles and shakes. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“I’m Benny, an old family friend. Emphasis on old,” he jokes. “I’ve known this boy since he was just a nut.”
“Aye!” I screw up my face. “Watch how you talk around my lady.”
“My bad,” he laughs, holding up his hands. “I got a potty mouth. Excuse the fuck outta me.”
She laughs. “Benny, I don’t care what you say. I just need you to feed me.”
“I like her,” he says, pointing to the dining room. “Yall go siddown. I’ll bring you the special.”
Once we’re seated, she leans over to ask, “What’s the special?”
“Whatever the hell he feels like cooking,” I say. “Just go with it.”
I glance over at the bar. “Mind if I get a drink?”
She frowns. “Why would I mind?”
“I don’t wanna drink in front of you if you want a drink and can’t have one.”
She tilts her head. “You’re sweet. No, get whatever you want. I’m fine.”
“That, you are,” I say as I stand. “Be right back.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re chowing down on barbecue ribs, smoked brisket, fried catfish, and all the mac and cheese, baked beans, and collard greens we can handle.
“Oh my God,” she moans between bites. “This is the best meal I’ve ever had in my life.”
“Better than my crabs? I’m offended.”
She giggles at that. “You’ll be alright.”
“I will. Now that I’m with you.”
She ignores that, but it’s all good. I’m in a good fucking mood. Starting to feel like myself again, like life is good again.
Benny slides up to our table and smiles at all the carnage. “That’s a huge compliment,” he says of our dirty ass table.
“No it ain’t,” I say. “She’s pregnant. She’ll eat anything.”
“Kiss my ass, little boy.” He smiles at Ari. “Can I steal him for a minute, sweetheart?”
