“Ms. Gloria!”
“Oh, where at? The grocery store?”
I’d told Danita about Gloria long ago. I disclosed a little of her diagnosis, but I would always tell her how Gloria reminded me so much of our mother and how much we talked. She listened to many stories of some conversations I had with Gloria during her time of chemo. Now that she was no longer in remission, I couldn’t help the sadness I felt.
“No, she’s... um... doctors are thinking her cancer might be back. Right now, doctors are running tests and everything.”
“Damn,” Danita hissed. “I pray it’s not. How is her spirit?”
“Bright! She’s not going down without a fight, she said. She said she’s got more life to live.”
“She’s my spirit animal.”
“Mine too. Can you believe she is still trying to hook me up with her son?”
“And what’s wrong with that? She clearly sees you as someone who would be good for her son. Maybe you should take her up on her offer. It would be harmless.”
I huffed. “Girl, you’re just as bad as Ms. Gloria.”
“And that’s fine. At the very least, consider it. It wouldn’t hurt to go out on a date with him. What does he look like?”
I shrugged. “I’ve never seen him before.”
Danita raised her eyebrow. “Really? That’s strange, but I’m sure there’s a reason for that.”
“I wouldn’t know, and I don’t care. Now, can we get back to our dinner, please?”
“Hmm, whatever. I’ll change the subject, but you still should probably consider it. He might be the man to change your outlook on things.”
I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I switched the subject to the latestHousewivesepisode for the rest of the dinner, dissecting every argument and conversation.
By the time we finished recapping all theHousewives’episodes, we were headed out of the restaurant with full stomachs.
“This place was so good. I’m so glad the city is bringing in more restaurants. We can add this to our list of restaurants to revisit,” Danita noted.
“I agree. Even the service was top-tier.”
“This is a nice place to bring a boo.” Danita looked at me and winked.
I huffed. “Girl, don’t start. I enjoy going to these restaurants with you. It gives us time to bond and catch up.”
She sucked her teeth. “Amina, please. You’d rather be getting spoiled by a man and ordering whatever it is you want off the menu.”
Danita was right. I was a sucker for a good date, especially if it involved food, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of clocking my tea.
“Let me get on the road so I can prep for tomorrow. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I’ll let you know when I make it home,” I stated.
She twisted her lips. “Don’t ignore me, but I’ll let you go. Love you, sis!”
“Love you more.”
I climbed into my car to head home. Tonight, the radio was taking caller requests for listeners to dedicate a song to someone. I turned the radio up when the soothing radio host’s voice introduced a new caller.
“Thanks for calling Z-90 Jamz. It’s Quiet Storm tonight, and who am I speaking with?” she asked.
“This Josiah,” a deep voice replied.
“Aite, Josiah, who are you dedicating to tonight?”
