Page 74 of Solomon’s Temple

“There’s no judgment to be had on my end. Just making an observation, so don’t start quoting scriptures at me when you can tell a judgmental tone from a concerned one.”

“I needed it.”

“I’m sure. To what do I owe this visit? If you’re coming here to defend your wife’s honor, then you’re wasting your time.”

He looked down into his glass. “I came here to apologize again for what happened at dinner last week. Your mother promised that she would behave. I don’t know. I believe she’s stuck in this nostalgic, grieving time warp and can’t seem to let go of the young boy you used to be.

“I tried talking to her about it multiple times, but she still insists on staying stuck on you and Shereece’s relationship. She believes you two are meant to be together.”

“They never will be,” Temple interjected. My father’s eyes went to her. He stared at her for a moment before nodding slowly.

“I know. Been knew.” He cleared his throat before taking another sip of that evil portal drink in his palm. “I know about what happened when you were fifteen.”

My ears tingled, and my eyes locked onto him.

“Jessica Murray . . . that young lady’s mother was a good friend of mine and your mother’s. She saw you two around often and knew if you were hanging with her daughter, then nothing good would come from it. She told me, not your mother, thank God, that Rosaria was into a lot of things like scamming, prostitution, and sticking people up.

“I actually told her off because, in my eyes, you were too good of a kid to be caught up in anything concerning that girl. That’s when she brought me proof.”

My nostrils flared. I didn’t like where this conversation was headed. I didn’t know if I was upset because he had proof or upset that he knew and never said anything.

“What kind of proof?”

“She had a hidden camera installed in Rosie’s house.” His eyes closed tight, and his head shook, seemingly trying to shake off the memories. “I only skimmed through the videos, but my God, I wish she’d never shown me that.”

“Why have you never said anything, Dorian? Why now?”

“Because I knew if I tried to stop you, you’d rebel, and I’d lose you. Also, I didn’t want your mother to know anything about what I knew. She could sniff my omissions from a mile away. So, I destroyed the tape and acted as if I’d never seen it. When you had that phase of drinking and sexing different women, I knew it was because of her that you had become that person.

“You fell in love with her, then tried to disguise it by being in a relationship with Shereece. When that didn’t work out as you had planned, you went on a sex binge. When you told me you couldn’t stop, I knew the enemy had a hold on you, and all I could do for you was pray for you because you wouldn’t listen to me.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “So now what? You said all of this to say what? I’m not that guy anymore, Dorian.”

He sat up, placing his elbows on his knees. “I said all of this to say I know where you’ve been and where you are now. I want you to know that I’m greatly proud of you for all of your accomplishments. Including making Temple your wife.” He sniffed away his emotion and looked at us. “I admit I was a bit shocked when Shereece revealed she was a—dancer, but since I know you didn’t meet her in the dance club, it was easy for me to understand why you were attracted to her long before seeing her naked.”

“I don’t—didn’t get naked, Mr. Matthews.”

“So what if you did? It’s none of his business either way,” I said.

“Baby. Don’t be rude,” Temple said, rubbing my knee. “I told you I actually like your dad. I am curious about something, though. My question is not to be rude, but why did you come by here when your son has a phone? You could have said this the last time he spoke to you.”

“I left my wife, Temple.” I looked at him as sorrow filled his eyes. “Not for good, but what she did, and the way she acts anytime Solomon invites someone new into his life, angers me. She doesn’t get that he’s a grown man now, and made it clear after you all left that she would never accept you, knowing what you do as your profession⁠—”

Temple spoke up. “I don’t dance anymore, and it wasn’t a profession; it was a hobby and a choice I had been forced to make.”

My father nodded. “That’s good. Even if you did, it’s none of my business. I told my wife that until she minds her business and accepts you as her daughter-in-law, I won’t be back. She’s been calling me for the past two weeks, but I’ve been ignoring her calls. Solomon is our son, and we should support him no matter what he chooses to do with his life.”

He poured himself another glass.

“Where you been staying?” I asked.

“The Westin.”

I stood, took the glass from him, and swiped the bottle from the table.

“I appreciate you for stopping by and for keeping my secrets. I believe you when you say you’re supportive of us, and from that alone, I’m inviting you to the wedding in two weeks.”

“Wedding? But I thou⁠—”