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I usually spend my Sundays with Precious and Bella, but since they were out of town again, I decided to leave the house for a little while and enjoy the fresh air. I’d been up since early this morning, getting in my workout routine and meditating. It was something I found calmed my nerves when I was dealing with emotional turmoil after my parents passed away.
Every morning for the last couple of years, I’ve woken up at sunrise and gone to sit out on my patio. The neighborhood I grew up in was quiet, and there wasn’t much movement at six a.m. Out there, it was just me and the sounds of nature. My mother used to meditate all the time. Back then, I’d always ask my father why she was sitting looking up at the sky so early. He said she was centering herself and finding peace and balance. As a kid, I didn’t understand, but as an adult, I fully reaped the benefits.
Since it was such a lovely day, I decided to go to the local farmers’ market in the town square. Every Sunday, people came to sell fresh produce and handmade goods. It was the perfect opportunity to sow back into the community. Most Sundays as a kid, we ventured here as a family. Some days, I still scooped up Bella and Precious to come out here.
I arrived a little after ten and parked my car. Grabbing my sunglasses, I got out and treaded through the crowded streets. My first stop was always Ms. Carol, an older Black woman who sold homemade treats.
“Callum!” She came from around the table to greet me with a grandmotherly hug. “How are you, baby?”
“I can’t complain, Ms. Carol. How are you?”
“Well, the good Lord allowed me to live another day, and I’m just fine with that.”
“Amen. What do you have for me today?”
“Oh!” She tipped back around the table and opened the cooler I knew she kept her secret stash in. She pulled out a small bag with about five cookies in it. “Cookie Monster Cookies.”
They were crispy, blue chocolate chip cookies loaded with chocolate chips, chopped Oreos, and melted chocolate in the center.
“Ms. Carol, you’re trying to make me fat,” I said with a light chuckle. “You know I can’t eat just one of these.”
“That’s why there are five in the bag.” She pulled out a second bag and handed it to me. “Take that to Precious. Where are she and Bella today?”
“They went out of town. How much do I owe you?”
“It’s on me today. I haven’t seen you in a while. Consider it a gift.”
“Now, Ms. Carol—”
“Aht-aht! Respect your elders.” She turned to get a bag, and I slipped a twenty into her tip jar. “You have a good day, and keep cool in this hot sun.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I leaned over to kiss her cheek. Bidding her goodbye, I continued through the crowd, stopping at a few tables. After a while, the urge to try one of these cookies got the better of me. I grabbed a bottle of water from a vendor and sat on a nearby bench. The first bite of the cookie caused me to release a deep moan.
“Shit...” I mumbled.
I had to hold the cookie away from me and look at it. There was a very strong possibility that Precious wouldn’t get her bag if I had to keep them at my house. Before I knew it, I’d scarfed down three cookies.
“Must be good,” I heard.
I looked up to see Pasha standing in front of me with a warm smile on her face. I had to do a double take. She looked nothing like she did yesterday. I mean, she was still beautiful yesterday, but today... Today, she was radiant. From the hair to the makeup to the way her outfit accentuated her ample curves. She looked like she had a good night’s sleep and woke up feeling refreshed.
I swallowed the cookie in my mouth and extended the bag to her.
“Try one.”
“Oh, I couldn’t. You looked like you were enjoying that, and I don’t need a cookie anyway.”
I stood and stepped closer to her. Reaching into the bag, I pulled out a cookie and handed it to her. “Taste it,” I insisted.
She hesitated momentarily before breaking off a piece and popping it into her mouth. I watched her eyes widen as she chewed.
“Oh my God...”
“It’s good, right?”
“That’s probably the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
