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“I’m sure you have people for that, Mr. Valentine. Besides, I have a cleaning crew coming later this evening to make sure everything is straight.”
“I do have people that clean for me but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how. I came to help so it wouldn’t be a bother if it needed to be done.”
“I appreciate your offer, but no, it’s handled.”
“El, are you ready to go?” Torrey asked.
She’d walked into the kitchen followed by my sisters. “We have to get over to the restaurant or Ulysses is going to have an entire fit. Would you ladies like to join us? Our uncle ownsUntraditional,and he wants to try out some new recipes on us. He loves it when we bring non-family members because he thinks they will tell him the truth. He thinks the family tells him new dishes are good because we love him.”
“Excuse me? Did you sayUntraditional? The sameUntraditionalwith the chicken and red velvet waffles?” Keeva asked.
“Yes, the very same one,” Torrey confirmed.
“Do you know how hard it is to get a reservation at that place? My husband and I went for our anniversary, but we had to reserve a table, two months in advance! I’m in! Ken, Vee, what about y’all?” Keeva said excitedly.
“Heck yeah!” Kenzie said.
“I would love to come,” I smiled.
I was low key as hype about going as Keeva was.Untraditionalwas hands down, my most favorite restaurant in the world. They call themselves a soul food restaurant, but they put unexpected twists on soul food like our favorite the red velvet waffles with fried chicken. It’s drizzled with a sweet syrup the restaurant makes. They also have a seafood macaroni with shrimp, lobster, scallops, and cheese that will make you slap your momma.
* * *
My sistersand I followed Samuel’s car to the restaurant. The parking lot was full as always, but we pulled to the back of the restaurant and followed them through the back door. As soon as we entered I could smell all of the delicious dishes being prepared in the kitchen. I thought we would go into the kitchen, but we turned to the left and entered a small private dining area which was off the kitchen.
“This is Ulysses’ private area. We have our family dinners back here,” Torrey explained. “Have a seat, ladies. El, let him know we are here.”
Samuel didn’t blink as he walked out the room to follow her instructions.
“Ms. Patterson,” Torrey started.
“Averie, please.”
“My brother calls you Ms. Patterson.”
“That’s because I haven’t given him permission to call me by my first name,” I explained.
“Oh, he’s already displayed his charming side?”
“If that’s his charming side…”
She laughed.
“I really do want to connect with you on some future projects. The event today was phenomenal. I’m glad I was there to volunteer.”
“It did turn out well. Better than I hoped or expected. I would love to work with you in the future. I’m familiar with some of the things you do.”
“Great. Oh, and for the record, I know my brother can be a bear sometimes but be patient. He really is a good man.”
Samuel re-entered the room with an older man and woman following behind him.
“Ulysses and Francine, this is Ms. Patterson, Kenzie, and Keeva.”
“It’s Averie,” I said as I extended my hand to shake theirs.
“Nice to meet you, Darling,” Ulysses smiled. I don’t like being called pet names by men I don’t know, but coming from Ulysses, it felt different for some reason. I actually liked it. “No one calls us Ulysses and Francine. I am Skip, and this beautiful woman is Frannie.”
“Please have a seat everyone, and we will get started,” Frannie instructed.
