Two - Proposal

“Girl, you say what?”

“Keep it down!” I shushed her.

“You tell me that hot stuff asked you to marry him and you want me to keep it down? That’s not going to happen!”

“What am I going to say to him?” I was a nervous wreck.

“Is that even a question? You’re obviously going to say yes!”

“You don’t just say yes to a marriage proposal that easily.”

“I’d say yes to him right away if it were me,” Aniyah said. I have been married previously, that feels like another life time. I felt in love, that head over heels kind of thing. He cheated on me a week later. The ink on our marriage certificate had just dried. I haven’t been “in love” since then. I haven’t had sex in a while either and I’m desperate for action, that’s why when Nathaniel asked me out on a date, I said yes right away because he’s too hot to say no to.

“I have a feeling my mum is up to something tonight, could you join me for dinner at my parent’s house?”

“I’d love to!” Aniyah squealed, “I love your grandmother.”

Yeah, they love each other because they are good at driving everyone around them crazy.

“I got a new gun, can’t wait to show her. I could even get her one.”

“What? Get her one? Do you even have a permit to carry concealed?”

“It’s America! You don’t ask a big black woman if she has permit to carry concealed. I’ve got to protect myself. There’s a lot of bad things happening out there, not to talk of the school shootings.”

“You’re not a student. School shootings happen in schools.”

She leaned forward and narrowed her eyes at me. A five foot three woman wearing an outfit two sizes too small, with skin and a lot more popping out of everywhere and her breasts in my face, I was scared. “I’ve got to protect myself,” she said. I nodded. There was no reason arguing with her, she’d just keep insisting on her point.

Nine AM to five PM was an awfully long time but it was even longer with an assistant who wouldn’t shut up about your boss.

•••

It was January. The sky was gunmetal gray, and the air sat dead cold on cars and sidewalks. Inside the building of The Dress Code, the atmosphere was no less grim, and I was sweating, not from heat but from anxiety.

The road was busy, people getting home to their families, people getting back from work. I was going home to my lonely apartment. I lived on third street in an average building filled with seniors who claim to be handicapped just to get good parking spots. I was driving an old sedan that made weird noises whenever I hit the break. I rode the elevator to my floor, got into my apartment and kicked my shoes off. I’ve had a long day today. I opened my fridge and it was empty except leftover lasagna. I had nothing to take to my parent’s house tonight. I sighed. I was barely making it through life. That was mainly because I have poor management skills. I took my clothes off and jumped into the shower. I got out when I ran out of hot water. I strutted around my room naked before I decided to put on a collarless shirt and a pair of jeans. I put my hair up in a basic ponytail and swiped on mascara for courage in case my mum wanted to go on and on about how single I am.

My grandmother’s face was pressed to the glass door when I arrived. I saw her yell, “Claire is here!” to my mother. I got out of the car and made my way to the house.

My parents lived in a narrow duplex with four rooms and one bath. It was painted cream and green, I wonder why my parents never repainted it.

“You’re late. The pot roast is almost dried up.” My mother said when I walked in. Aniyah was already seated at the table, she’s never late when it comes to food.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. My dad was already seated on the table with his cutlery in his hands, ready to eat. I gave him a little wave and he smiled at me.

“I was just talking about getting my hair done like Aniyah’s. I think I’ll look pretty good with pink.” Grandma said.

“No, you won’t dye your hair pink, mum. Claire, talk your grandmother out of the crazy idea she’s got going on,” Said mum as she set the table.

“I got it done by that gay man at the mall,” Aniyah told grandma.

“Charlie?”

“Yes. I don’t know why I’m bad at remembering names. He’s so nice and takes good care of my hair. I’m sure he’ll get yours done for you, Beatrice.”

I imagined grandma with pink hair, and saggy skin. It wasn’t a pretty picture.

“I’m going on a date with a man I met on Wednesday at the senior center while playing bingo. He’s a real catch and I want to look good for him. I think pink hair would make me pop,” Grandma said. Dad muttered something that sounded like, “I hope you pop dead.”

“You say what, Joseph?” Grandma asked.

My mum poured wine into her wineglass, downed it and went for a second cup when the doorbell rang.

“Oh yes, he’s here,” mum sounded giddy. An extra chair was at the table, I hadn’t noticed because of all the bickering and chatting.

“Who’s here?” I asked.

“Oh, Claire, please be nice.” She eyed me up and down. “Couldn’t you have at least worn something nicer?”

“Isn’t that the butcher from Ends Meat?” Aniyah asked and I swear I heard my dad chuckle.

My mum set me up with Tank the butcher. I did a facepalm and forcefully swallowed the mashed potatoes in my mouth. I eyed the kitchen contemplating my escape. When I was a teenager, I escaped through the kitchen window when my mum grounded me.

“Don’t even think about it Claire.” I head mum say.

I didn’t even want to look at Tank but he looked excited to be here, I couldn’t tell if it was because of me or the food on the dinner table. My mum took the wine he came with and set it on the kitchen counter. He took a seat at the table beside my grandmother. My dad spared him a glance before he returned his attention to his food.

“The silence is uncomfortable,” Aniyah mumbled.

“So what’s it like cutting meat all day?” Grandma asked him. He shrugged.

“Nothing special.” He looked very big compared to grandma’s dried up body. He looked very big compared to everyone on the table except Aniyah. He is very big. “I brought some meat for you from the shop, Claire. Your mum said you don’t eat very well.”

I stared at my mum and she just shrugged. “All you eat is doughnuts and drink coffee.” She wasn’t lying.

“Perhaps we could go on a date soon? Just both of us.” Tank suggested. I choked on the peas.

“But Claire’s engaged. She isn’t available for dates,” Aniyah said. I spilled wine on my shirt and my dad spat out his potatoes. “Our boss proposed to her today, right Claire?”

“Nathaniel Carter? That man is so hot, I wouldn’t mind spending a night with him.” Grandma sighed. My heart caught in my throat, my face must have been as white as sheet because when Aniyah looked up from her food and looked at me she said, “oops.”

“What’s she talking about, Claire?” My mum asked.

I rubbed my head and sighed. “He asked me to marry him but I haven’t said anything yet.”

“You haven’t said anything? Girl, that man is hotter than the sun, you should’ve said yes, right away. I would’ve said yes without thinking. I just want to sink my teeth in his ass.” Grandma whistled. My dad turned white as he gripped his fork tighter and Aniyah said, “I feel you, grandma.”

“I prefer Nathaniel to Mr. Meat Chopper over here. He has eaten more than all of us have since he arrived,” dad mentioned then went back to eating. Tank stopped stuffing his face and looked at us, he probably hadn’t heard anything we just said.

“That’s great news! You’re getting married!” Mum squealed.

“What?” I choked out.

•••

Dinner was a disaster after that. My mother wouldn’t stop talking about the perfect wedding and a big wedding cake, my grandmother wouldn’t stop talking about how she sees Carter’s ass in her dreams, Tank couldn’t stop scarfing down food and dad ended up kicking him out of the house since I wasn’t available for dates anymore. Now, I was walking up the stairs to burn some calories with a bag filled with raw meat, leftover from dinner and my car keys in my hands.

When I got to my apartment, my door was slightly open and I could hear the television, the Rangers game was on. My heart rate quickened which was becoming a norm these days, I took out my phone, dialed 9-1-1 on my phone and got ready to press the call button. I pushed the door open and it turned out two men were sitting on my couch, drinking beer and eating pizza. It was Anthony, my cousin and Mr. Carter.

“Hi Claire,” Anthony greeted. I looked away from Nathaniel and narrowed my eyes at Anthony. “What? I have a spare key.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Your lock is easy to pick.” He shrugged.

“Good evening, miss Wordsworth,” Mr. Carter said. I feigned a smile and returned his greeting. I shut the door behind me and went to the kitchen to set the bag of meat and leftovers on the kitchen counter. I called Anthony to the kitchen so I could talk to him, privately.

“What is going on here?” I whisper-yelled.

“I needed dinner and I forgot you ate dinner at your parent’s place on Friday so when I remembered, I decided to stay in your apartment and wait for you to come back with leftovers. Luckily, Mr. Carter came with pizza and beer.”

“What?”

Anthony shrugged and made way to the leftovers. “You should probably put this in the fridge. It looks ugly empty.”

“Did he say what he wants?”

“Who?”

“Mr. Carter.”

“No, I didn’t think to ask. What’s that ugly stain on your shirt?”

I looked at my shirt before I answered; “it’s wine.” I heard Mr. Carter yell in the sitting room and I guessed the Rangers had scored.

I called Aniyah and told her that Mr. Carter was in my house and I had no idea what to do. She said; “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

She did come in five minutes. According to her, she was around the corner. When she rang the doorbell, I was changing into something that looked better than wine stained shirt so Mr. Carter opened the door for her.

“Hi, hot stuff,” I heard her say. Uh-oh. It would be a disaster to leave Aniyah with Nathaniel. When I got back to the sitting room, Aniyah had joined them to drink beer and munch on pizza.

“I came to spend time alone with you and now that seems impossible,” Mr Carter said.

“I think that’s my cue to leave. Thanks for the dinner, Mr . Carter. You need to go grocery shopping,” Anthony said looking at me. “See your fine ass later, Aniyah.” He gave her a flirty look and she giggled.

Nathaniel looked at Aniyah, he was probably expecting her to leave as well but she didn’t. Instead, she took off her shoes and picked up another bottle of beer. We all watched the game in silence until Aniyah

sneezed and farted. I stared at her wide-eyed. It wasn’t the first time something like that had happened but it was the first time it had happened in front of Nathaniel. Okay, I had a little crush on him. It was just a little, you know when someone is so good looking that you can’t help but wonder how you two would look as a couple, that kind of crush. And sometimes, he was the subject of my self pleasure. Other times it was Keanu Reeves.

“You a Rangers fan?” Nathaniel asked me.

“It’s a decent team but I wouldn’t say I’m a fan.”

“I’m guessing Aniyah knows about the marriage proposal.” His expression was serious now, his jaw was set and his brown eyes were fierce and unwavering. He was wearing a black polo shirt and a pair of jeans. He looked so hot, the color of polo shirt contradicted the color of his skin, the diamond stud on his ear contradicted his black hair that tumbled over his ear in curls. He looked like someone God would brag about. I think God would say; “he’s my masterpiece, I bet you can’t beat that.”

“Yes, she does.” I finally answered. I wonder how he’d react if I told him my whole family knew about it. My mum must have called half of the neighborhood to tell them that her unmarried daughter is getting married.

“That’s what I came here to talk about.”

I swallowed and waited for him to continue but he was staring at Aniyah who was in turn staring at him.

“Aniyah,” I called, “give us a moment, please.” She looked at me like she was surprised by my request but she granted it. Now, Nathaniel and I were left alone in the sitting room. The room was quiet and cold, I could hear him breathe.  

He looked into my eyes, it made me very uncomfortable and it made my palms sweaty. Before he said anything I spoke up.

“Why me?” After I blurted that I realized I sounded like I was questioning death. “Why did you ask

me

to marry you?”

His expression softened and he wore an expression that one would wear when looking at a puppy. “Why not you? I mean, you’re pretty, you have a decent job and your parents are together.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “That’s the requirement for a good wife?”

He shrugged, “it’s a starter.” He ran his hand through his thick black hair. “I’m not looking for love, I’m not looking for a life partner neither am I looking for a wife. I just want my grandfather and my stepmother to get off my back.”

“So I’m an escape plan?”

“You’re a lovely wife. This is just a temporary arrangement. You’d benefit from it, don’t act like you wouldn’t.” I rolled my eyes. Great, two divorces in one lifetime.

“I’m not begging to be a lovely wife.”

“Look at it from this angle, Cupcake. It’s going to help you, you could get a car that’s less noisy and an apartment without leaks.”

“I like my apartment just fine.” I said.

He smiled. He has an amazing smile, pearl white teeth and pretty long incisors. My panties melted.

“My grandfather would love you.” He grinned.

“And how about you?”