Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 18: Normal

After class on Tuesday, Nzinga and Sarala  met Kitt and Calida at the grocery store to shop for Thanksgiving. 

"Potatoes, green beans, bacon, collards, peppers, fresh sage, rosemary, thyme..." Kitt rambled off the list to herself double checking she had everything. "And the last thing we need issss... Nzinga's attention and then we're ready" and she smiled with a raised eyebrow.

Sarala and Calida typically don't worry about being seen, but since they were in a grocery store, they sat in Nzinga's school bag. The two looked up at Nzinga and nodded in agreement. She tried to carry on conversation but her mind was on the talk  she knew would happen soon. There was so much to say, so much to admit that she hadn't admitted to herself yet. She needed to talk to Kitt first, this was her history and future as much as it was Nzinga's.

The evening before Thanksgiving buzzed with energy and warmth. The house was thoroughly cleaned. Everyone joined each other in the warehouse common space. The fireplace blazed and warm candles were lit. Frankie Beverly and Maze played as everyone danced and performed their chores to the rhythm.  Fresh vegetables were prepped for seasoning, pies were in the oven and made the whole warehouse smell like apple pie and cinnamon. Once the food was prepped it was late, but everyone sat around the fire laughing and playing card games. Nzinga sat on Dru's lap as he rubbed her back with his thumb while hearing political commentary between Dave and Amina. The friction between Dave and Amina was comical. She was serious and seemed to always apply a deeper meaning to each event in the news cycle. Dave generally believed it was stupidity and greed that drove politics. And no matter who was is in office, the poor and underrepresented would always lose.

"They are upgrading and refinishing the downtown jail. I suppose that's better than having people exist in old and worn cells. But it just seems strange  they would not put that same energy into the school system or neighborhood streets. And why is it that your city has to choose at all? How much money is coming from the city to build up the downtown mall or how about Maryland and the National Harbor?"  Amina lectured.

"I'm not sure what motivates people anymore. Maybe a yacht, some jewels, sex sometimes drugs?" Dave chuckled at his truth, "I've seen people motivated by the most mundane things, objects that won't last beyond death, rivalries that have lasted long past the memory of the first offense. You can never know. The only motivation I've seen that's worth any of it - is family and lineage. People will do a lot to make sure privilege last through generations".

There was no formal dinner that night. Everyone was too busy "taste testing" the food for Thanksgiving and eating nibbles throughout the evening. Instead, there was plenty of wine, popcorn and toffee. The night would never end, but Dru grew tired and nipped at Nzinga's neck. She looked back at him then nodded to the rest of the group and slipped back to their side of the home.

Dru ran a bath and lit candles in the room. Wards were enabled across the entire warehouse, but sage settled Nzinga, so he lit it anyways.  She walked in the bathroom and slid down into the tub relishing in the lavender and epsom salt he added. He joined her there resting behind her , her head laid on his chest. The bubbles in the bath covered her body, except her nipples that peeked through the water. His hands drifted there and stroked a gentle hand across the fullness of her breast. "Nzinga, I know you're not ready to talk about our bond. But -- whenever you are, I am"

Her fingertips grazed his forearms before her right hand reached back to stroke his growing beard. "Thank you for being patient lover" .

"You got mail today, fr-from your gynecologist." He stammered. His body stilled beneath her. She turned toward him then stood in front of him. She grabbed a towel as the water dripped over him.

"It's an invitation to a party, don't worry." A loud exhale filled the room. She leaned over and kissed him. "I'll meet you in the warehouse."