In a Book Club Far Away(96)
“It is.” She tousled his hair, and laughed. The town house, a Georgian, was situated in between two taller town houses, like a Mama and Papa Bear. “It’s perfect for the three of us. The school is two blocks down, and Ninang Adelaide is only three blocks South. Your dad is only two miles from here. And, bonus, parking spaces on this street are only for residents.”
Speaking of. Regina turned and put a hand over her forehead to block the sun. Shortly, she detected the rumble of Baby and then the shine of her bumper as it crested the small cobblestone hill. It parked a street down, at an open spot. “Lola just parked, Miko.”
They waited patiently for Gloria to walk up the street. She had a visor over her head, expansive so it shaded the sides of her face. Still, her smile was bright, matching her pink windbreaker and blue jean capris. “I can’t wait to see your new house.”
“Our house, Ma,” she reminded her.
It had been a whirlwind since she returned to Columbus after her trip to Adelaide’s last year. After a thorough review of her business, Regina indeed had had no choice but to close, but it wasn’t going to be for long. “After all,” Regina reminded her mother, “you helped with the deposit for this and for the new business. We have a bedroom with your name on it, and fully expect you be here all the time.”
“No more talk about money. What’s mine is yours and Miko’s. This is a good decision. New place, new opportunities. It’s what I always hoped for you.” She climbed the steps with them. “It’s very cute. I can’t wait to see inside.”
“Wait till you see the kitchen.” But when she jiggled the key into the door, it didn’t work. “What the heck?” She inspected the key, then flipped to the other on the ring, and while the key slipped into the keyhole, it didn’t turn.
“Maybe Missy gave you the wrong key?”
The red front door opened, and a rush of people yelled. From around her, Regina felt the flutter of confetti. Henry swept her into his arms and kissed her. Adelaide and Matt and Genevieve followed, greeting Miko with a hug. Then came Sophie and Jasper, and Missy. They each had a plastic cup in their hand, filled with a pink bubbly drink.
A wave of nostalgia crashed over her so strong that she felt it deep in her chest. “Oh my goodness. What are you all doing here?”
“You think you’re the only one who can throw a surprise party?” Adelaide said. “Actually it was Sophie who had the out-of-this-world idea to fill your fridge with food and make sure your bathroom’s stocked. I only had the key.”
“What can I say?” Sophie said. “Since we were visiting the girls in college, I thought, why not swing by to welcome you, since I suppose I owe you for all of those meals you cooked last year.”
“Your girls go to school in North Carolina.”
Sophie shrugged. “Like I said. I was in the neighborhood. Besides, I didn’t want to miss out on meeting Lola Gloria. This is the woman who had to put up with Regina for at least eighteen years.”
“Twenty-three now, because she was a boomerang.” Her mother laughed.
“Hello. I am right here.” Regina’s face heated. “Seriously, I’m so surprised, and oh my God!” Regina walked through the living room, gawking at the newly painted walls. She spun to face Adelaide. “You did this?”
“I did. It’s the least I could do, for helping me last year. And because I know you like white on white. And to quote Sophie, what good am I as an interior decorator if I can’t help the people I love?”
“Thank you. Thank you, everyone. I admit. It was tough leaving Georgia.” She nodded toward Miko, who was now playing with Genevieve. He was showing her how to press the buttons on his handheld video game. “And I know we’ll have some moments, but I’m excited to start anew. The Perfect Day personal chef, opening May 2022.”
A round of applause ensued.
“Speaking of,” Missy said, gesturing toward the rear of the home, “your documents and extra keys are on the kitchen counter, along with my phone number so you can add me to your friend list. I don’t know what strings I have to pull, but I want in on this online book club you all started.”
“Thank you, Missy, for finding this place for me.”
“Of course!” Missy returned a stiff smile. Regina glanced at the others, and they, too, were silent.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Go to the kitchen, iha,” Gloria said.
“Okay.”
Under everyone’s watchful eye, Regina passed through the darkened hallway, into the kitchen, which was brightly lit by the back windows. On the marble island was a little black box. Regina halted, stunned.
From behind her, hands on her shoulders gently nudged her forward. The sun through the window warmed her face, and along with it came energy and hope. She watched Henry get down on one knee.
Inside, she had expected this. Much like their kisses, their dates. Nothing was surprising or scary. Everything was tender and momentous. Like their conversations, their love flowed with ease, buoyed by trust the whole length of its journey.
His proposal was heartfelt. It was beautiful and tearful and perfect, and only made better that it was in the kitchen where she would, in the future, cook meals to show her love to her new husband, her growing son, and the new baby in her belly.