Maddon lifted his arms and flexed his muscles. “I’m all muscle, baby. Haven’t lost a step since college.”
Garrett leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “You play football?”
“In college. Now, it’s just for fun. A group of us from high school and nearby towns meet at the Dusky on Sunday’s. It’s a way to keep in touch.”
“Please, don’t let me keep you from going.”
“I don’t know, maybe.”
Mr. Jones chimed in. “Garrett, why don’t you go with him? You look like a fit fella. Fresh air and some physical exercise ain’t never hurt, nobody.”
What else did Garrett have to do? His plane wasn’t leaving until tomorrow afternoon. “Actually, that sounds like a good idea.”
Maddon turned mischievous eyes toward Imani who had been unusually quiet. “Are you coming? Some of your raggedy girlfriends would be happy to see you.”
She didn’t want to be anywhere near Garrett. He’d barely looked in her direction throughout breakfast, yet he’d had an unnerving effect on her.
“Probably not. I’ve got a lot to do.”
Maddon didn’t believe that for a second. “On a Sunday? You’re busy today? Interesting. Funny how you always come to the Dusky when you’re home, but today you’ve got something else to do. Riiiiiiight. Okay.”
Imani wanted to smack him.
Mrs. Jones came back to the dining room with the pot of coffee. She went over to Michael and poured him a hot cup. “Sorry, it took me so long. I was putting the roast in the oven for dinner tonight and had to fight with that stove. Can you take another look at it?”
He sighed. “Yeah. I’ll see what I can do, but the bottom line is it’s time to replace it. I was just hoping it held out until the end of the year.”
Felicia went around the room topping off everyone’s cups then sat and spoke dreamily. “It sure would be nice to get that stainless-steel set I saw down at Lucy’s Appliances.”
Michael scrunched up his face. “Woman, I just bought you a new car last year. We’re making payments. As much as I wish, we’re not made out of money. We’re both on fixed incomes, and the few side jobs I do are getting fewer and fewer. I’m too old to be painting.”
Imani and Maddon both spoke at the same time. “Let us get it.”
Michael frowned. “That twin thing still drives me crazy.”
Aaliyah agreed as she shook her head up and down. “Me too. It’s weird.”
Michael continued. “I don’t need my kids buying me anything. Plus, Maddon you know you don’t have no money. You’re just coming back from an unpaid training for that new job and neither do you, Imani. It’s not cheap living in Chicago. Maybe when one of you land that big client, your mother and I will let you send us on a nice vacation.”
Her father couldn’t have been more right. Imani had a little bit of money in her savings, but she had no idea how long she would be out of work.
Mr. Jones blew on his coffee before taking a sip. There was a lull in the conversation until he spoke again. “So, Imani . . .”
She glanced at him. “Yes, Daddy?”
“We’ve danced around it long enough. What’s going on that brought you home?”
Her father always hit the nail on the head. Everyone turned in her direction waiting for an answer. “What? I can’t come home because I’m a little homesick?”
Everyone responded in unison. “No.”
“Jeez. Am I that transparent?” She didn’t want to tell her life story in front of a stranger, but eager eyes had her pinned to the wall. She spoke slowly. “I lost my job.”
The room fell silent again. Felicia was the first to speak. Imani always worked hard, and this was probably one of her first real setbacks she’d ever encountered in her life. Felicia knew it had to be difficult for her. Her voice was filled with compassion. “What happened?”
Imani was more than a little embarrassed. She was sure she was the brightest color of red. “My supervisor claimed budget cuts.”
Aaliyah questioned, “You didn’t believe her?”
“No. I didn’t. She and I were like oil and water except for when Tabitha was stealing my design ideas.”
Garrett asked. “What do you do?”
Imani didn’t answer at first. It had always been a dream to make it as an interior designer. Now she needed to re-think her life strategy. “Good question.”
Her father wasn’t trying to hear the defeat in her voice. He’d never heard it before and wasn’t going to start now. “Stop that nonsense. My daughter is the best damn interior designer you’ll ever come across.”
Imani smiled weakly. “Thanks, Daddy.”
Mr. Jones nodded and smiled reassuringly at Imani. “Everyone has problems. Some big, some small. You get knocked down; you get up. The silver lining is now you know how hard of a punch you can take.” He turned his focus from Imani to Garrett. “Have you figured that out yet, son?”
Garrett rubbed the bottom of his chin. “Sometimes it’s not that easy, Sir.”
Michael waved his hands back and forth. “No one ever said it was easy. For example, Aaliyah is six months pregnant and, as far as I can tell, has no idea what the hell she’s doing from day to day with this situation.”
“Daddy!” she screamed.
He ignored her. “But, she gets up, takes care of herself and that baby. I know she’s
