Miss Lola.

Chapter 17.

A.N
This chapter and a few more are out of order. Don't know what happened, guys. Sorry about that.
__________________Tabbu8______________

"Now, she might be a many a things but I wouldn't call the child a witch." I said dryly.

"I don't like her. Gwen is full of herself and I believe she's using Merlin's slow behind but everytime I say something to him about it, he changes the subject."

"I thought you said that y'all no longer engage in those types of conversations?" I reminded her.

"This was back then, Ma. So, anyway, I hope you enjoy his visit. I gotta go."

"Love you." I said it first and after a brief hesitation, Rhonda said it back and ended the call.

What in the world is that girl's malfunction? Why would she even mention my name to her daddy in the same breath?

I simply don't understand it, but one thing I do know is that I'm not going to allow anything to ruin my date with Hollis tonight.

So I pushed those problematic questions to the back of my mind to deal with later and relaxed and released and it felt so good to allow the negative energy to flow out through my long exhalations...

I'd calmed down a lot by the time the headlights of my Mercedes swept over Hollis' front lawn and once again he met me at the front door and lead me

straight back to a dining room which had a square shaped table covered in a white damask cloth with a tall, silver candelabra sitting between two fancy burgundy and white lace table settings.

A bucket of wine was chilling on the mahogany sideboard.

"Oh, it looks lovely. Did you do all of this for me, Hollis?"

He had a big grin on his face a mile wide and his eyes were twinkling.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm here to serve you tonight." He held a chair out for me and expertly spread a lovely, linen napkin over my lap before serving the food.

It wasn't anything fancy, just spaghetti and a big basket of garlic bread and tossed salad however the classy way in which Hollis presented the meal added that extra touch of elegance.

"Hmm..this is good." I was amazed after taking that first bite of the noodles which had been perfectly cooked.

"I'm glad you like it. That's my mama's Spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs recipe. I baked the bread myself too."

"Well, aren't you full of surprises tonight. I'm gone have to whip you up something now."

His eyebrow raised, "Whip me up something like what?"

"I didn't mean that Hollis. So drag your mind out the gutter. I'm talking about food. What do you like to eat?"

He leered at me suggestively and I quickly changed the subject.

"You know what I mean. Is it getting hot in here or is it just me?" I said, starting to feel a little flustered and Hollis got up to adjust the temperature.

"Seriously now. What are your favorite foods?" I asked once he'd rejoined me at the table.

"Oh, I can eat just about anything. I like soul food but now that I'm older, I've had to leave it alone. All that pork, hot sauce, salt and sugar isn't healthy."

"I heard that." I knew exactly what he was talking about too because my last doctor's visit hadn't been all that wonderful.

She'd advised me to limit my sodium intake which had really taken the joy out of life because up until then I'd lived for eating salty snacks.

Now my cabinets are filled with Mrs. Dash and low sodium canned goods.

Hollis had a thoughtful look on his face.

"But anyway, I can munch down on some steamed broccoli, brown rice too if it's seasoned right and baked chicken breast."

I smirked, "I think that I can handle that, Mr. Williams, and it sounds healthy too."

After dinner, I offered to do the dishes although Hollis shooed me from the dining room saying that he would handle it and so I returned to the front room and plopped myself down on the more comfortable of the two sofas.

This actually was a beautiful home but I'd have to get rid of most of this played out, Antiques Roadshow looking furniture and probably keep the Hunter green sofa because Hollis had bought it and why in the heck am I mentally  redecorating this man's house?

It ain't like I'm moving in and besides, I like my own house which has a comfortable, well loved atmosphere and smelled of lavender and my expensive perfumes and fabric softener... and, yawning, I felt my body sinking down on the sofa and my

eyes drifted closed and the next thing I knew, strong sun light was shining on the front of my eye lids which flew opened and I realized that I'd
fallen asleep on the sofa and Hollis must have tucked this soft, blanket around my legs last night.

Where was he?

Groaning a little, I pushed my stiff body to a standing position and went looking for Hollis.

"Hollis?"

"He's upstairs." An unfamiliar male voice said from the dining room and then a tall, light skinned young man came into view.

He looked almost exactly like Hollis and they had the same tall and rugged build except his eyes were a clear, pea green and he was dressed in old gym clothes and sneakers.

"You must be Hollis' son. I'm Lola Simmons."

The young man had paused in the doorway and slowly looked me up and down.

"I would say that I'm pleased to meet you but I don't like to lie so..."

Say what? I know this boy ain't trying to get nothing started. Clearing my throat, I plaster a fake smile on my face.

"I see that you haven't inherited your Father's charm or manners. Did you say that he was upstairs?"

Before either of us could exchange another word, Hollis appeared. He was fully dressed in a navy blue suit and striped tie and carrying a black, leather briefcase.

A big smile lit up his face when he saw me.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty."

"Hi." My tone was tart.

"Dad, why didn't you tell me that she'd be here?"

"She has a name and is standing right here in this room." I huffed.

Hollis looked at me and then at his son and his jaw clenched.

"Jeffrey, mind your manners boy or I'll mind them for you. And I mentioned to you last night that Miss Lola was stopping by for dinner.
She fell asleep on the sofa and so I left her alone."

Jeffrey shot me a withering look.

"Oh? Is that what happened?" He sneered.

"Listen, I don't think that I like your tone. Hollis, you'd better get your son."

11/21/21
12/2/21.