Miss Lola.

Chapter 19.

"Hi. Are you feeling better?"

"I was never sick. Did you handle your son?"

"Yeah, we talked and he sends his apologies and so do I. Jeffrey isn't usually this.."

"Rude and disrespectful?" I cut in.

"Yeah, but he's trying to adjust to the way things are now.
You didn't meet him at his best this morning and for that I sincerely apologize."

"He should be the one doing the apologizing." I pointed out. "But I feel you Hollis and it must have shocked him finding a woman asleep on his daddy's sofa and I'm so ashamed of myself. Why didn't you wake me?"

"You were sleeping so peacefully until I didn't have the heart to wake you and  anyway, there wasn't anything for you to be ashamed of. It's not like you were naked."

"That would have been a hot mess!" I hooted laughter.

Hollis chuckled and said in a low, husky voice, "I don't think so, I personally wouldn't mind seeing you naked."

"Stop it now. You remember my three month rule."

Hollis groaned, "How could I ever forget? You're really hurting a brother over here but I can respect what you're trying to do. I might not understand or agree with it, but I can respect it."

"Thanks and Hollis, last night, I meant to ask you about divorce lawyers."

"Oh, yeah. This is for your friend, right?"

"Yeah, she's going through a hard time right now and asked me to help."

"Let me get back to you on that. But back to us. I really want to see you again and as soon as possible. What are you doing tonight?"

"My son is here and I want to spend some time with him." I said.

Hollis was quiet a second and then he said,"Oh. Well, how long is he going to be in town?"

"You misunderstood me. Merlin actually lives in Elmwood but he's just staying with me for a couple of days."

"Right, okay. Is he sick or something?"

"No, it's nothing like that. He just needs me and I won't leave him hanging."

"Lola, you have a life too." Hollis said.

"I know that, Mr. Williams. But thank you for reminding me."

"How about I come visit you at your house and meet your son. Merlin? Is that his name?"

"Yes." I hesitated because this morning I'd made up my mind to let Hollis alone but now it struck me that I was still interested in this man.

I had to see him. So I made a snap decision.

"Okay, you can come over and I'll cook for you this time. Dinner should be ready by six."

"Should I bring something?" Hollis asked.

"Nope. I've got it covered." I said.

"Right, well what's on the menu?"  Hollis asked.

Look at you, Mr. Nosy. I thought.

"Let me surprise you." I said.

After swiping end, I went ahead and called Rhonda.

She answered on the fourth ring, sounding sleepy.

"Hello?"

"Wake up, oh daughter of mine. This your mother."

"I know who this is. Why are you calling me at the crack of dawn?"

"Child, it's one o'clock in the afternoon! The sun must not be shining where you live. But anyway, I've invited Hollis over for dinner tonight and if you're not busy, I'd like for you and the kids to join us."

"Are you cooking?"

"Nope, I'm gone let your kids cook."

"Well, I won't be partaking." Rhonda said and I laughed at her silly behind.

"Yes, Rhonda. I will be preparing dinner myself on tonight."

"And Hollis is the man you were with at the Silver Shoe?"

She was certainly full of questions and it's starting to irk my last nerve.

"The very same. I plan to have dinner on the table by six p.m. Sharp, so y'all need to be here around 5:45 -ish."

"We'll try and Ma?"

"What's up, girlfriend?"

"So, umm..you catching feelings for this man or is this a casual fling?"

Rhonda's question caught me off guard and had me doing some deep thinking even though it was too early in the day for all of that.

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes. I believe I am catching feelings and I wouldn't be inviting him into my house otherwise."

"Cool, I'm happy for you and Mr. Hollis is fine too and he seems like an okay dude. So we'll be there."

"Why thank you darling, I'm glad you approve of him and one more thing, your brother's here and so don't mention Gwen's name around him."

"Whoo? What happened with Merlin and witchy-poo?" Rhonda asked.

"Please stop calling her that and I'll let your brother discuss it with you since it's nacho business.
Oh, and please maintain your kids while y'all are over here because I don't want to scare the man off before I've snagged him good."

After swiping end, I quickly dialed the Shop and checked on things because ain't no telling what kinds of Tom foolery the "kids" might be into while I'm away.

Brandy answered the phone, sounding professional.

"Hair So Lovely, this is Brandy speaking."

"Hey, baby. The Shop ain't burned down has it?"

"Oh! Good afternoon Miss Lola and nope. The Shop is still standing. It's all good and we're holding it down for you until you come back." She said.

"Umm..humm. I'll be there tomorrow, Lord willing. Did Glenda and Todd show up on time this morning?"

"Yes ma'am, but Todd had to leave for a dental appointment and Glenda's here right now."

"What's going on, Mizz Lola!" I hear Glenda's big mouth in the background.

"Tell her I said, Boom Shocka-Locka."

I hear Glenda's guffaw when Brandy repeats what I just said. Smiling to myself I say,

"Y'all remember to clean your stations and lock up after work and I'll see you tomorrow."

Swiping end, I waltzed myself into the front room and told my son about Hollis.

"Good for you, mother. As long as he makes you happy, then I'm happy."

"Why, thank you son."

It's amazing to me how well my kids are taking to Hollis and if I didn't know any better, I'd feel a little suspicious because they've always treated my other boyfriends like garbage.

Not that I've dated a lot of men, but there have been one or two including Chuck who I'd kept around for longer than a year until he did something to tick me off and then I had to kick them to the proverbial curb however I'm starting to believe that Hollis is different from the others.

And it's hard to explain it.

There's just something, some  indefinable quality about him which draws me like a magnet and makes my heart sing whenever we're together. He simply brightens my day.

10/27/21.