Page 28 of Blueberry Cake
Queenie waved goodbye, letting that warm feeling carry her throughout her day.
Boyd
He hadn’t seen Queenie in over a week. Work had gotten busy and with her weekend already planned out, they’d had to make do with a few brief phone calls.
Tonight, however, that would end. As he was getting ready to spend his evening with Queenie and her closest friends, his phone rang. It was Luka.
“Hi, son,” he greeted.
“Hi, dad.”
“What’s up?”
“Just checking in. You busy?”
He ran his hand through his freshly styled beard and reached for the comb again. “Getting ready to go out.”
“Oh, cool.”
Boyd’s next words came out in a rush. “I started seeing someone.”
There was a moment of silence before Luka spoke, audibly hesitant. “Something serious?”
“Yes.” More silence, and when Luka couldn’t seem to find the right words, Boyd took it upon himself. “I’m actually meeting her friends tonight.”
“How long have you been seeing her?”
“Just a few weeks.”
“Thought you were too busy to date,” Luka grumbled.
“Apparently not.”
“Well, have fun. Talk soon.”
Without another word, Luka hung up. Boyd stared at the device, wondering if he should have mentioned Queenie. Though perhaps baby steps would be best. After all, Luka had never really known Boyd to date, so easing him in might be his best choice.
He’d offered to pick Queenie up, and was thrilled to find her waiting for him outside of her building. Again, she hopped into the car before he could move.
“You can open my door when we get there, I promise.” She took him in, lingering on the collar of his V-neck that hinted at his exposed chest. “You look handsome.”
“Thank you.”
She leaned over and stole a quick kiss. “I’m nervous. Areyounervous? I mean not that you have any reason to be, but I’m worried that Mikey will give you a hard time and—”
He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “I’m a grown man who adores you very much and can stand my own ground.” Queenie smiled against his finger. “It’s going to be fine. Now take a deep breath.” Giving her the space to do so, Boyd breathed with her. “Good.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologise for and you know it. You are allowed to feel anxious and express your feelings with me.”
With his hand on her thigh, he drove off, following her directions as they got closer. Queenie had already given him the basics: Mikey was an engineer and Allison was a university professor. They lived in a lovely, renovatedranch-style home, complete with two rocking chairs on the porch. As they pulled up, the curtains fluttered. It wasn’t long before the front door opened, a woman chasing a laughing, babbling toddler out of the house. Allison wasn’t much older than Queenie, while Maggie had the cutest smile.
He walked around the truck and helped Queenie out, kissing her hair as a thank you for letting him do so. He knew how old school he was, but appreciated that Queenie accepted him as such. Hand in hand, they approached the porch and Maggie waddled forwards, stretching her arms out to Queenie.
Queenie grabbed her goddaughter, placing the kid on her hip and reaching for Allison. “Hi, sweetbean.”
He stretched his hand out, taking the one Allison offered him. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Allison.”
