“You repeat me a lot.Is that what you normally do to ensure clarification?”Thom asked moving closer, being drawn in by the heady scent of her perfume.
“Trying to anchor myself, but it’s not working with you.Thom, you feel good to me as well,” she replied.
Mae Weston stepped in for a kiss, which led to a dance in the middle of the floor, and dinner was definitely cold by the time they made it back to the dining table.Thom Brown also learned his lady enjoyed Papa Joe Olivier, Louis Armstrong, and stroll jazz from the South Side of Chicago.As long as it wasn't smooth jazz, he could live with it; even that wouldn't be a deal breaker.
*****
ASONG FILLED THOM'Sheart as he made his way down the hall to start breakfast, his hair still damp from the shower.A pair of travel slippers covered his feet as he sang aloud, “A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong since it was the last song he and Mae had danced to before taking matters down the hall. He arrived in the kitchen to find a black man holding a watering can.
Thom scanned him quickly, noting the family resemblance.“Ah, brother.”
“And you're not,' the man said.
“In my soul, perhaps; in real life, I am what you see,” he replied.“Thom Brown.”
“Jae Weston,” he answered.“I didn't expect to find that voice attached to you.Actually, I didn't know she was home, hence the watering of the plants.”
“She's home.I'm making breakfast.Are you staying?”
“Interested to understand, so yes,” Jae replied.
“Good,” was all Thom had to say as he went to the music player he had seen her use last night, cuing up some tunes.
He started a pot of coffee.Next, he grabbed the sweet potatoes, onions, and parsley from the growing live potted herbs near the deck.Jae continued to water as he watched the average looking white dude chop up the potatoes and onions.He drizzled the mixture with olive oil and shoved it into the air fryer.Bacon came from the fridge, and he used the rack over the microwave to start six strips.Eggs were next, and Thom whisked them, adding milk along with cheese, and then scrambled them in a pan.As the microwave and air fryer dinged, Mae Weston made an appearance.
She appeared to float down the hall, a far off look in her eyes as she came to the table.“Morning all,” she said, staring at Thom, who brought her coffee.
“Morning,” Thom replied, bending down for a morning peck.
“Hey!”Jae said, uncomfortable at seeing the strange man make lip contact with his baby sister.
Thom replied, “This is her house, Plant Waterer.Go wash your hands, please, so we can eat.”
Jae didn't like being bossed about, but his sister appeared to be ...off.His first thought was that the man had drugged Mae and planned to sell her to some sex trade workers.He hurriedly used the hall bathroom to clean his hands, returning to the table to see the beautifully plated food.
Seated at the table, he watched in dismay as his boss of a sister sat twiddling a lock of hair, a far away look in her eyes.Under the table, he could feel the side-to-side movement of her feet as if she'd just gotten an ice cream cone for being a good girl.Thom held her hand and Jae held Mae's for a brief prayer.
Mae didn't seem to be eating as she looked at Thom, blushed, twirled her hair again, and grinned at him.The new man in her life didn't seem to be phased by the unabashed adoration.Thom picked up a piece of bacon eating as if this were a normal occurrence for the two of them.
“After breakfast, I'll take a look at your car and get started unless you have other plans for the morning,” Thom said.
Jae jumped in, “What's wrong with her car?”
“Just some scratches on her vehicle that I'm going to buff out for her,” he replied.
“She needs to have a professional do it so you don't mess up the paint job or make an issue with the lease,” Jae protested.
“I am a professional,” Thom said, looking at Mae, who appeared to have gone slack jawed.
“Okay, Okay!What is going on here!Has my sister been drugged?”Jae asked, feeling his hackles rise.
“Oh hush, Jae.I am having a meal with my man, and you're bringing all of this negative energy, ruining my love hangover,” she said, looking at Thom moon-eyed.
“Love hangover?Sir!I am asking to know your intentions with my sister,” Jae demanded.
“Depends,” Thom said.“Mae, do you want or are you planning to have children?”
“Sure, I want about four or however many we can afford,” she said, twirling her hair again.
