Page 14

GERMAYNE

“ G ood morning.”

“Good morning to you too. How are you feeling?”

Thanks to my grandmother, Chaniya spent most of the night hugging the commode, which had me holding her hair and rubbing her back.

Chaniya let Grandma Jolene talk her into drinking some peach-flavored moonshine that one of my southern relatives brought up for the festivities.

We’re supposed to attend a brunch with both families around noon, but I’m unsure if Chaniya will be up for the challenge.

“Like I need to run every time I see Grandma Jolene. Why the hell didn’t you warn me?” Chaniya grumbles with her arm covering her closed eyes.

A low chuckle escapes my mouth because Chaniya had been with Grandma Jolene since the wedding ended, and I had tried to separate the two upon entering the reception.

However, Chaniya told me she was fine and to handle my groomsman duties, so I simply did what she said.

Seeing her radiant smile and camaraderie with Grandma Jolene had me watching Chaniya with stars in my eyes and butterflies in my stomach.

“My bad, boo. I definitely would have if I knew you were sipping on more than champagne. Hell, I can’t even mess with that moonshine.

Unlike you, one session between Grandma Joelene, me, and that moonshine had me shitting for twenty-four hours straight.

Worst day of my life. I haven’t touched that mess since. ”

“Oh my God! You mean, I’m gonna have to prepare for the shits. Oh no, I gotta go home because there ain’t nothi—oh shit.” Chaniya’s arm shifts quickly to her mouth before she damn near trips exiting the bed and running full speed toward the bathroom.

“Damn. She ain’t ever gonna let me live this down.” Leaving the bed, I make my way to the bathroom, cringing at the violent sounds hitting my ears from Chaniya’s dry heaving.

Chaniya has nothing in her stomach, and the painful sounds coming from the bathroom make my chest pinch because I hate to know she’s suffering like this.

Pushing the semi-closed door open, my footsteps stall upon seeing Chaniya’s stomach pulling tight while her head is deep inside the toilet bowl.

The light sound of her crying shakes me out of my momentary pause, causing me to move quickly toward her.

Squatting beside her, I pull her hair back before kissing her cheek, feeling helpless.

“I’m so sorry. What can I do?” I ask when her head comes up, and she gently rests it on the seat.

Her red and fatigued eyes pull at my heartstrings because this is not how I saw our first overnight weekend going.

“I haven’t been this sick from drinking since the night I created my son. Maybe I need to stop drinking altogether because this ain’t it. Hugging my toilet is one thing, but a toilet that I’m unsure of its cleanliness is low and making this ordeal worse. I think I’m done, but I can’t move. C?—”

“Ssh. Of course, I can.” Cutting off Chaniya’s impending question, I scoop her into my arms before moving to the sink so she can rinse her mouth like last night.

Once she’s done, I exit the bathroom, carrying her back to the bed before gently lying her down.

“I’m gonna grab some things to make you feel better.

I’ll also inform my parents about our skipping brunch and whatever other things they have planned for today.

You and I are gonna stay in bed until time for us to check out.

Then I’m taking you back to my crib so I can nurse you back to health. Who has little man?”

“Nana. I’m not supposed to get him until tomorrow,” Chaniya informs me weakly.

“Okay. Rest. I’m gonna get myself together, and then I’ll be back.”

Moving to the bathroom to shower, foreign feelings course through my body at Chaniya being sick and my not doing anything to prevent it. Allowing her to hang with Grandma Jolene shouldn’t have come with these consequences, and I feel horrible that it did.

“Thank you, Germayne.”

Running my hand up and down Chaniya’s back, I stare into her eyes, and my heart slows to a crawl the longer I do. Despite resting most of the morning, Chaniya’s pale face, slower countenance, and red yet tired eyes show signs of the aftermath of her indulging in moonshine with my grandmother.

“No thanks needed. I hate that you’re suffering, love.”

I have been hydrating Chaniya with Pedialyte so she can replenish her electrolytes, and about an hour ago, I gave her some wheat toast that she managed to keep down.

After driving from the wedding venue, where Chaniya slept the entire way, we’ve been in my bed, allowing her to rest. Having Chaniya in my bed and in my arms has given me a level of comfort I didn’t anticipate.

I’ve been with many women and have never experienced the peace I feel with Chaniya and myself in this comfortable position.

“I didn’t know this would be the outcome of my introduction to your family.

After this, I might have to skip all future family events the Malones throw.

Grandma Jolene got me hugging numerous toilets while praying that God would have mercy on my weary soul.

I ain’t about this life, but I need to figure out how to pay you back for this weekend.

I mean, you went from making my toes curl and my titties bounce to cradling my shitty behind. This ain’t been a sexy time for me.”

My lips twist while I fight the urge to laugh from the reminder of Chaniya losing her bowels once I lifted her out of my vehicle.

What’s crazy is neither of us had a warning other than the loud grumbling from her stomach.

I quickly scooped Chaniya into my arms, thinking she was about to vomit again, only for it to release from her ass.

“Shit happens. I—” The first two words hit my psyche, and a rumble of uncontrollable laughter escapes my mouth at the relevant analogy I didn’t think about before speaking.

“Oh my God! Did you really just say that?” Chaniya’s tone is elevated, and mortification is on her pretty face.

“I promise I’m not holding it against you, but please let this be a lesson that Grandma Jolene isn’t innocent. She probably set your ass up to see if you would be able to handle what comes with?—”

Chaniya’s face twists, and a deep frown downturns her lips before she leans away from me, causing my dick to twitch upon seeing the flicker of aggression shining in her eyes.

“Ut unh. Don’t warn me now, nigga. Your warning was supposed to come before we arrived.

Now you want to say something after having to clean my stanking ass up.

Too late. Hell, you better hope I don’t ghost you after this. ”

“I’ll make a nice post on Facebook about how you had a blowout all over my hands and arms if you ghost me.”

“Wow. You ain’t shit, Germayne Malone.”

“Meanwhile, are you sure you’ve gotten out all of yours?

I need to clean my backup sheets.” Smirking, I grab Chaniya’s hands, before she hit me, then pull her into my chest. “Chill, love. I don’t want you dispensing too much energy.

” Kissing her forehead, I stroke her back soothingly, smiling when she settles against me, causing my chest to pound wildly.

“What are your deal-breakers in a relationship?” Chaniya asks, sipping the chicken noodle soup I made, which makes my dick twitch from seeing her lips cover the spoon.

Thankfully, Chaniya is feeling a little better, so I made some homemade chicken noodle soup to slowly reintroduce food into her system.

“Women who come on too strong. As a man, I like to be the aggressor, and I’m turned off by a woman who does too much.”

“What do you mean by does too much?”

“My ex wanted to plan my life and the life she dreamt for us after our third date. In time, it became old, and the appeal I found in her outward appearance lost it’s savor.”

“Hm.” Chaniya’s single-word response doesn’t bother me because I’m too mesmerized by her enjoyment of a simple meal I made for her. “Your turn.”

I’m not sure why I let Chaniya talk me into playing twenty-one questions, but I suppose it’s an excellent way for us to learn more about each other, so I’m entertaining it for now.

“What’s a lesson you’ve learned from past relationships?” Pulling my gaze from Chaniya’s actions, I take a bite of the turkey and Swiss panini I made to accompany the soup.

“Not to take a man at his word but to make sure his actions line up with what he’s freely speaking. I have often missed and ignored red flags because I’ve trusted what a man has spoken and not measured those fruitless words against what he showed me.”

“Yeah. Lip service can have you walking around with blinders on. Always measure a person based on what they show you regardless of what gender you’re dealing with.”

“Trust me. I know now.”

“How am I measuring so far?”

A smile forms around the spoon, which causes a sly grin from me while I wait to hear her response.

“Ask me once we’re past the incidents of this crazy weekend. My turn. What’s something you’ve never told anyone but feel comfortable sharing with me?” The twinkling merriment in Chaniya’s eyes has a low chuckle escaping my mouth.

“Oh, since I have to keep your shitty secret, you want to put us on a level playing field.” Smirking, I take another bite of my sandwich, staring at Chaniya, who rolls her eyes before putting her spoon down and picking up her sandwich for the first time.

“It's not gentleman-like to keep bringing up my uncontrollable actions. I’m also not trying to keep score. I’m just trying to learn more about the man who’s seen me cum and sick in a short period.”

“Say less, Cha-Cha. I’ve never told anyone that I have a thing for a beautiful, voluptuous woman with braids, a single dimple in her left cheek, warm brown eyes that kickstart my morning at the thought of her, who’s slaying single motherhood like the boss woman she is.”

“Yeah, you did. Your people already knew my name before I knew theirs. Tell me a real secret, Germayne.” Chaniya’s pout has a grin sliding in place before looking around the room and leaning in close, lowering my tone.

“None of them know that you’re the first person I think about each morning and the only person filling my dreams most nights,” I whisper.

A glowing beam fills Chaniya’s countenance when I sit back in my chair before resuming eating.

“What does your ideal weekend look like when you’re in a relationship?” I ask.

“Tuh. Listen, you definitely owe me another weekend after this one. However, I’m a simple woman who doesn’t need a man to do grand gestures to get my attention if he already has it.

I’ve been wined, dined, and the like for years, but now I want something substantial.

With being a mother, an ideal weekend with a man can be as simple as lying around having a Netflix and chill night. ”

“Duly noted.”

A woman like Chaniya is rare, especially in the early phase of a relationship, and while she’s expressing the simplistic things she enjoys, I plan on providing her with both.

As a single mother, or mother in general, Chaniya deserves to have someone alongside her who will not only ease her burdens but nurture her heart.

I’m the man signing up for the task, and I won’t fail, because with Chaniya, I feel forever.

“I think you already have a bonus because a man who can cook is extremely attractive. This meal might be simple, but few can make delicious homemade chicken noodle soup, sir.”

“Appreciate it, love. Adele and Jolene taught me everything I know in the kitchen.”

“Hm. I guess Grandma Jolene has some redeeming qualities after all.”