Moses
“COLLIER MAN, ALEX HAS BEEN preparing for your visit since we got back from New York two weeks ago.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No, and she’s disappointed you aren’t staying with us.”
“Did you explain why?”
“Yes, but--”
“Dude, I learned the hard way to never stay with newlyweds.” We laughed. “How do you like living out here?”
“It’s different. I’m still not used to the traffic. But I’m making my way.”
“And married life?”
“It’s…uhm…it’s…I didn’t know it could be like this.” My smile gave me away.
“Whatever it is she’s doing, it’s working. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.”
“She adds to my happiness and I like who I am now. I like having a teammate.” I knew Collier and my brother were a little worried about me when I disappeared after Natalie and Allegra died. “What about you?”
“Me?”
My friend is pretty good at hiding his feelings, but I knew he was ready to settle down. For years he’d been saying he was fine by himself, but as his best friend, I learned back in college how to read between the lines.
“When are you going to settle down?”
“Maybe when I find someone like Alex. Does she have a friend?”
“Man, you don’t want to go there, trust me.” We laughed.
We pulled into the driveway, went inside the house, and I tried to sneak up on Alex.
“You know I hear you?” I walked over and tried to kiss Alex but she pushed me aside. “Hey Collier, welcome to LaCasa.”
“Hey Alex. LaCasa?”
“LA House and NYCasa is New York house.”
“Do I get a kiss?” Alex walked over and kissed me on the cheek, but I grabbed her and kissed her on the lips.
“Baby, that’s why Collier won’t stay with us.”
“That’s right,” Collier seconded.
“Babe, what time is dinner?”
“Everyone should be here in a couple of hours. Honey, take Collier upstairs so he can freshen up before the party.”
“Come on. I’ll give you the tour and show you to the guest room.” I walked past her and tapped her on the behind.
“Moses, stop it.” She smiled.
I hopped into the shower, changed and went back downstairs. When I landed on the bottom step, the doorbell rang. I walked over and opened the door.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Moses. Where’s Alex?” Dionne asked.
“She’s in the kitchen.” She kissed me on the cheek and headed to the kitchen.
“Hey, man.” Quentin and I shook hands. “Bas is right behind us.” I stood with the door open and waited for Bas, who walked up with Kendell.
“Hey, man—you two came together?”
“No.” Bas quickly answered.
“Where’s Alex?” Kendell asked.
“She’s in the kitchen with Dionne.”
“What’s up?” Bas asked. I closed the door, and we started towards the family room.
“Nothing.”
“Where’s Collier?” he asked.
“Upstairs.”
I heard a knock on the door and went back to answer it. It must be Chloe. I opened the door and a strange dude was standing on the porch.
“May I help you?”
“I’m looking for Kendell,” he announced.
“And you are?”
“Jackson.”
“Excuse me.” I closed the door, and went to get Kendell. She walked back to the door and escorted him inside.
“Jackson, this is my cousin Alexandra and her husband Moses.” We shook hands.
“Nice to meet you.”
“And you would be…” My wife had to probe for information with her handshake. He looked at Kendell before answering.
“I’m her…”
“We’re dating,” Kendell announced.
“Oh.” Alex looked at me. “They’re dating. How did you meet?”
“He came into the restaurant for lunch. We started talking and on his next visit, he asked me out,” Kendell answered.
“I see. So Jackson, what do you do?” Alex asked.
“I’m a lawyer,” he replied as he wrapped his arm around Kendell’s waist.
“Moses’ best friend is a lawyer. What kind of law do you practice?”
“Mostly corporate,” he replied.
“Would you excuse us. The bar is on the patio. Honey, I think the porch light is acting weird again.” She took my hand and led me out to the front porch. “Is she out of her mind? Why would she bring a date knowing Bas would be here?” She started pacing back and forth.
“Honey, calm down.”
“I’ve had it with her.”
I grabbed her and pulled her to my chest. “Take a deep breath. Don’t let your cousin get to you.” I wrapped my arms around her, rubbed her back, and felt her heartbeat slow down. “Better?”
“Yes.” I lifted her face and gently kissed her.
“Hey, hey, break it up. I didn’t leave my son to come over here and watch the two of you making out. Either the party has taken a turn or I missed something?” Chloe teased.
We pulled apart and Alex and Chloe hugged each other.
“Hey, girl.”
“What’s up, Chloe?” I asked.
“My weight,” she teased.
“You look great,” I replied.
“Moses you are full of crap, but thank you. Why are you two out here?”
“You’ll see,” Alex answered.
I opened the door and stood to the side as the ladies stepped inside. Chloe looked up and stopped dead in her tracks. “Benny?”
“CJ?”
I closed the door, looked at Alex, and she had the same shocked look on her face that I did. Collier walked over and hugged Chloe. My wife has a phrase for situations like this, “Oh crap!” I stood next to Alex watching the exchange between two obvious old friends. I hadn’t seen Collier smile like that in quite a while.
“I take it you two know each other?” Alex asked.
“You could say that, ”Chloe smiled.
“How?” I asked.
They looked at each other. “We spent our college summers hanging out in North Carolina.” In the short time I’ve known Chloe, I’ve never seen her this quiet. And that smile is almost blinding.
“Really?” Alex smiled.
“Yeah, CJ and I are old friends,” Collier confessed.
“Isn’t that nice, Honey? Why don’t you take Benny and introduce him to everyone while I help CJ with her jacket.”
“Come on, Benny,” I teased.
“CJ we’ll talk later,” Collier smiled as he walked away.
“Definitely.” She replied.