Page 46 of The One He Desires

“I know that’s right, baby. I don’t know why my son chose to come in here.” A Black lady who’s carrying an infant strapped to her chest and one she’s seemingly dragging to the exit co-signs Sweet Face’s statement.

We follow the path of other attendees and continue through the attractions, with little commentary from Sweet Face. In fact, she gets excited when Journee points out the reindeer pen. Sweet Face jumps up and down excitedly as her smile forms. We keep walking, and Sweet Face’s excitement grows with each attraction we reach. Sweet Face drops my hand and runs to the glass enclosure where a couple of cheetahs are lying completely oblivious to the people tapping the window.

“Hi, kitty,” Sweet Face says as she pushes another kid out of her way and taps on the window.

I come up beside my baby when the kid acts like he’s about to swing at her. I stare down the dad as he rolls his eyes, grabs his child, and walks away grumbling incoherent words.

“You and Milan are doing the most,” Journee whispers.

“Not really. He already has his time at the window. It’s Sweet Face’s turn now.”

Journee shakes her head as I shrug and Sweet Face continues tapping on the glass despite the cheetahs sleeping unbothered. We stand here for a couple more minutes before Sweet Face gets bored and ready to move on. My chest expands and puffs out when Sweet Face reconnects our hands as the journey continues. Memories of today are definitely being made, and I couldn’t be happier.

My emotions have been all over the place as my life has been on a constant roller coaster ride. What I didn’t count on four years ago was BN getting out of jail and causing so much ruckus. It will never be cool with me that the love I once had for him hardened like a surface covered with lava. But the bright spot for my baby and me is Sincere Kensington. The man who has given me reasons to smile and appreciate that good men do still exist. What I thought I felt for BN fails in comparison to the way Sincere makes me feel when I eat a freshly baked cookie: nostalgia.

“What’s on your mind, baby?”

I turn my head to look at Sincere as we sit at a red light before we cross through to get onto the freeway.

“Thank you. I needed this.”

The best medicine Sincere could have given me after the disastrous mediation with BN was the weekend getaway he planned for us. Aside from my parents keeping Milan for me to give me breaks, I haven’t taken the opportunity to go away. Therefore, I appreciate my man having a mind to me a chance to recuperate.

“Get used to this because it’s not just a one-off. I will always find ways to refresh and rejuvenate you.”

I smile as I settle into our road trip to Indianapolis. Sincere has made reservations for us to go to a place called Sybaris. I didn’t know it existed, but I’m open to getting exposed to new places.

“Did you grab my Gushers?” I ask.

Sincere chuckles as he shakes his head before answering my question. “Nope. I didn’t want to become a codefendant if my Sweet Face ran out of her favorite snack.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you were picking sides. I’m the one who lies beside you several times a week. How are you going to do me like that?”

“Actually, you and Sweet Face compete for space under me. But I digress. We can stop and grab you some, so I can remain her favorite person.”

I laugh at his statements as my heart flutters at his desire not to rock the boat or make Milan mad at him. Their fast-growing bond makes me appreciate what developed between them, even before Sincere met me. The conversation between us is effortless as we journey toward our destination. I lose track of time as we groove to music and eat up the miles. But I frown when Sincere turns into a property that looks a little rundown from the outside.

“Uh. Is this it? I hope these people ain’t scammed me out of my money.”

Sincere’s leery voice causes me to giggle as he parks in a spot in front of the office. My eyes bounce around the area as I take in the separate buildings that don’t look like anything. In fact, they appear to be looking at dilapidated houses that could easily sit in the hood.

“Hopefully, we’re at the right place. Did you check the directions?”

“Yeah. I’m going to head in here to see what’s up. Honk if something moves out of place and you need me.”

More giggles escape my mouth as Sincere exits, hits the button to lock me inside, and heads into the doors of the main office. My eyes bounce from the door to the area around me as I lightly bite my bottom lip. I hope that this drive isn’t a waste of time. But from the outside, I’m a little worried. I get momentarily distracted when another vehicle pulls in, and I watch it move to one of the houses.

Another Black couple exits the car, and I smile as the man lovingly holds the woman. I’m not sure why they’re here, but what I can see is the affection between them. Only the chirp outside of Sincere’s remote forces me to shift my focus back to the front of the building. Sincere walks toward the driver’s side with a paper bag in his hand. My brows wrinkle as I seek clarification.

“So, are we at the right place? What’s in the bag?”

“We are. The clerk was cool and said they get those questions from every new customer who comes in. She gave us complimentary robes.”

“Oh, okay. Then let’s go see what lies behind these walls.”

Sincere nods, puts the key in the ignition, and then drives us to our designated house. My leg bounces when he parks in front of our home away from home for this weekend. Sincere exits, grabs our luggage, and then assists me out before he walks us to the door. He enters a code, turns the knob, and my breath catches when we walk through the threshold.

“Wow. I would have never expected this.”