Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 7: I see red

Nzinga went to the grocery store for meal prep items: water filters, vegetables and fruit, chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp and fish.

Weekly she visited a natural store located within a brownstone. It was like a hidden church with a dark wood door and colored glass at the top. Whenever she walked in she felt at ease and fully comfortable at being herself as often other creatures who visited did. Dave, the owner, saw her walking in and shouted "Nzinga darling! How are you? "

"I'm doing wonderful! Just need to grab a couple of things."

"Let me know if you need something and don't see it"

The store was warmly lit and cozy. She went through each aisle inhaling the varying scents and picked up rosemary, thyme, sage and lavender. White candles were on sale, and she filled her basket. Walking past the oils she spotted a toffee colored woman who stood no taller than 5 foot. Her eyes glittered and bore into Nzinga. Nzinga diverted her eyes to not garner attention.

Nzinga moved quickly toward checkout and called for Dave, "Do -Do you have twine?" She stammered loudly. The eyes of the strange woman followed her. Dave brought the twine and came to the front. He paused, "Hi Amina, let me finish with her first" he quietly responded to Amina's curious expression as he walked Nzinga to the register.

"The total is $15" Dave said aloud.

"Dave you don't have to do that" she bowed her head in thanks.

"It ain't free" he quipped back as she handed him the several bills in her leather wallet. He handed her the bags, nodded and smiled reassuring her that everything was OK. Dave gently touched her bag that carried the candles to make it light as a feather and easier to carry. She smiled and hugged him before she walked home.

She walked to her door and placed the bag down to pull out her keys. Once unlocked, she pushed the now heavy unspelled bags through the door and performed her regular routines before she unloaded the groceries. She finished with the kitchen and looked at her watch to see it was 7:30. She hadn't made food or bathed and Badru would be there soon.

She quickly stripped down, turned on the water and found her razor. "Why?" she laughed to herself but continued anyway in the way girls did in false pretense. After she finished her bath she used almond oil over her damp skin creating a soft sheen that made her thighs look supple. She pulled on her favorite shorts and crop top sweatshirt with long tube socks. The doorbell rang at exactly 8. A quick look reassured Nzinga that the the sage is still burning and with that validation she opened the door.

He walked in and smelled of that same scotch and oak. He wore cotton gray sweatpants and a white shirt with a matching zip hoody. In his hands were two brown bags.

"What's that?"

"Red wine and my favorite carryout." he responded lift each item as he spoke.

She led him to the couch to sit, "Sorry, my place is not as nice as yours. All I have are stemless wine glasses, red cups, and mugs. What's your preference?"

"Stemless"

Nzinga could feel his eyes watch her as she walked toward the kitchen and back. "What do you want to start with ?" she said as she handed him the glasses to fill, their fingers slightly came into contact.

"Let's start by going over the demographics in that area." The conversation continued over the carryout as they each became more comfortable. Enjoying the conversation but annoyed by a remark Badru made, she questioned "are you suggesting that they deserve to be there because they are lazy?"