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3
With church at six o’clock, Onyx drove to the clubhouse. Most of the unattached men lived there, but so did the women. Convenience in all its forms. He chose to live with Hollywood and his Ol’ Lady, Free. In a way, it worked. He helped with renovations and had his own room as far from the couple as possible. Between Hollywood being the county’s Sheriff and Free working for the daycare center and dancing at the bar the home was empty more than it was full.
Allowing for thoughts, contemplations and the occasional sleepover with one of the Hoez. He wasn’t sure if he actually wanted Topaz, but he’d like the option to try. There was no delusion as to why she practically ran in disgust when she saw him. Onyx had seen racism in all its glory over the years, but not with people who actually knew him. Time and experience trumps all rhetoric and rearing. No matter who it was or how Klanny they were raised, he could show them not all black men were ‘insert random racial belief’. Much like snowflakes, they looked alike until you got them under a microscope and learned what their special hatred was. Once he could find that with Topaz, he could help knock down her beliefs with the simple fact he wasn’t that random truth, and if he wasn’t maybe others weren’t either.
Getting off the bike after he parked it, Onyx walked inside. They were just setting up for supper. Food was already on the counter behind the bar. It was more buffet style than cafeteria, but no matter the way they dished it out, the homemade food never disappointed and he was starving.
Twisting his wrist, he glanced at his watch and saw it was only five thirty. He had plenty of time to eat before the meeting. Finding a plate, he walked to the small line of people that had accumulated. Bounty was standing in the line and with his Ol’ Lady Cream as if they hadn’t been together for months as she put out a large tin tray of what appeared to be some kind of hot dish.
The men who’d found someone here were solid in their relationships. These two were cute together, playing with a relationship built on sarcasm and healing. Bounty leaned across the counter and clasped Cream by the arm before capturing her with a kiss.
Onyx couldn’t resist, “Get a room you two. I like my food without a side of bodily fluids and not formed in the shape of Bounty’s ass.”
“Mind your own damn business, Onyx.” Bounty growled.
“Be nice Bounty. He’s your friend.” Cream slapped him lightly on the arm before moving quickly back to the kitchen.
Bounty turned to him. “You need to find an Ol’ Lady Onyx, then you’ll know how it is.”
“Sure thing. I’ll get myself tied down.” Onyx chuckled. “Wait… that might be for a different purpose.” Snatching a fork, he filled his plate with food and walked over to an empty table. Sitting, he started to eat when he felt a shadow over him. Looking up, he saw it was Bounty. “Sit down my friend.”
Bounty sat across from him at the table.
Cream followed with her plate full of food. “Can I join you guys? You’ve had your cooties shots right?”
Bounty and Onyx both stood.
Bounty pulled a chair out for her and let her sit before he helped her push the chair up to the table. “How are you feeling?”
Onyx thought it was a weird question to ask his woman. But he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. He waited for her to answer.
“I still have an upset stomach and I’ve been dizzy.”
“You need to get a checkup at the clinic.” Bounty’s face had more than concern running across it.
Cream smiled gently, “I’ll go tomorrow, just to make you happy, but you know I’ll feel better and have nothing to be seen for.”
“And you’ve used that excuse for a week.”
“It’s true,” she retorted then looked at Onyx. “Back me up, Onyx. Just like when a car is making noise, take it to the mechanic and it stops. You stand there looking like an idiot.”
“It doesn’t make sense, I wonder what could be up with you?” Bounty took a bite of his food waiting for Cream to answer him.
“Domesticity an allergen for you?” Onyx teased the former nomad.
Not for a club, but for life. Cream had taken to the road for solace for a few years. The dark skinned beauty, with hair as wild and untamed as she was now sat, blissful if not a bit glowing in contrast to her saying she wasn’t well. Her blond, scruffy lover to her right. Not legal or bound yet, but they owned a home together and if Bounty helped her get past her demons, they might actually marry.
“Yeah, no,” she replied raising an eyebrow and a butter knife to Onyx. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m tired and cranky. I just don’t feel good.” Cream stared at her plate of food, but didn’t take a bite of it. “Probably, need a few days of zoning out and sleeping late.”
Onyx smiled, “Or maybe you’re pregnant.”
Bounty kicked him under the table. “Don’t say that man. There’s no way.”
“Didn’t realize you were staying chaste until Bounty drugged you and convinced a judge you really did say I do.”
Cream laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, don’t hurt the messenger. I’ve seen the symptoms before in this place.” Onyx shrugged and glanced over to a few new moms navigating eating and a baby in their arms. He waited for one of them to say something to dispute him, but both Cream and Bounty remained quiet. Taking their own stock of the room. He took the hint and didn’t say anything else.
