The Flower Shop

Chapter Five

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Jalil. Happy birthday to you!" Jalil heard his sister sing.
           He had just finished reading his Bible and praying- thanking God that he was able to see 28 years. He was very blessed and fortunate. He knew that it was only God who had allowed him to see this day.
           He smiled at his sister who had a cupcake one hand and a babbling Jaheim in her other.
           "Happy birthday baby bro." She smiled at him. "Please blow out this candle before your nephew gets ahold of it."
           Jalil closed his eyes and blew out the candle. When he opened them, he felt his sister smear something on his face. He saw her lick her hand and he knew it was icing.
           "You remember when I put cake on your face when we you turned five? I was what- like ten?" Jacquie said as she sat on the couch beside her baby brother. She watched as he scratched his braids underneath his durag.
           "Yes. That was the first time we met each other." Jalil said remembering the day he met his older sister for the first time. Their father had decided to bring her to Jalil's birthday party so both his children could get acquainted.
           "I remember. I didn't know we'd end up getting close. When dad told me
I had a baby brother, I thought it was a baby. Not some nappy headed boy with cornrows." Jacquie joked as she bounced Jaheim on her knee.
           Jalil cracked a smile. "My braids were fresh too."
           "They were. But listen, happy 28th! What are your plans for today? I bet you're doing something with Nadia." Jacquie said as she wiggled her eyebrows.
           Jalil smiled at her actions and took his nephew from her. "Thank you. Yes. And I don't know. Nadia said she's giving me the day off, but I'll probably go see her after I get my braids done."
           His sister nodded and looked at her watch. "Good. Your gift from me is in the kitchen. Come on Jah. You gotta get to daycare before mommy goes to work." Jacquie said as she grabbed her son and kissed his cheeks.
           "Enjoy your day, brother." Jacquie kissed his forehead before leaving out of the home. Jalil stood and stretched, looking around the living room.
           "Here's to another year." He said to himself as he headed to the bathroom to start his day.
          
***
          A few hours later her sat in the barbershop and looked in the mirror as Quita held it in front of him.
           "You like?" She asked as she put the mirror in in her apron. He listened as she chewed her gum.
           "Yeah. You hooked me up as usual." Jalil nodded as he stood from the chair. He handed Quita the money and she refused.
           "Nah baby boy. It's your birthday." She popped her gum.  "This one's on the house. But next time you owe me." She pointed her finger at him with a smile.
          Jalil thanked her and dapped up the guys in the shop before heading down the street to Nadia's. When he entered, he saw her speaking with a lady. She gave him a smile and he winked at her as he walked idly about the shop, waiting for her to finish up with the customer.
           He observed the tulips that were sitting in a clear vase and knew immediately that those were the vases she had been telling him about. She was so excited for these, he thought to himself.
           "Your order will be ready next week. I really appreciate you giving us a chance." Nadia smiled at the older lady.
           Thank you, Ms. Nadia. I'll be back next week." The lady spoke and Nadia walked her to the door. Jalil watched as she waved at the lady before turning the sign to show that it was closed. He observed her as she stood on her tippy toes to shut the blinds. He helped her as he pulled down the other ones. He watched as she locked the door before turning to face him.
           "Happy birthday!" She smiled as she hugged him.
           Jalil hugged her back and pecked her lips softly, causing a smile to grace her face.
           "Your braids look nice." Nadia observed and Jalil thanked her. He leaned with his back against the counter and took her hands into his own.
           Nadia observed the action, and her smile grew bigger. "How is your birthday turning out so far?"
           "It's been good. My sister got me a new watch. She said the men at her firm have them and they're good quality." He said flicking his right wrist. Nadia looked at the piece of jewelry and her eyes grew wide.
           "Jalil this is one of the most expensive watches on the market! Dang, your sister got bank." Nadia said as she eyed it flipping his wrist and getting a good look at it.
           "I wouldn't know. I'm not into watches like that." He shrugged. "How do you know?"
           Nadia gave him a sly grin. "My mom is named Barbara Samuels- she's a fashionista. Growing up she always wanted me, Nehemiah, and Nelson to dress our best. Fortunately, my dad is a successful stockbroker and my mom could've been on any of the housewives franchises." Nadia said, laughing as she went to the back of the shop. Jalil followed her, eager to hear the rest of her story.
           "Anyway- mom introduced us to luxury brands as soon as we could walk. She always wanted us to look our best. So that's how I know about watches. I'm not into fashion, but I do like quality products. And that watch, my dear, is quality." Nadia said as she put some boxes up for the weekend. 
           "I think I learn something new about you every day." Jalil said and Nadia only smiled. He watched as she pulled a box from under her desk and pulled out a bag.
           "This is for you. Open it and tell me if you like it." Nadia said excitedly.
           Jalil chuckled. "I think you're more excited than I am."
           Nadia lightly hit his arm. "I love celebrating others."
           He kissed her forehead before digging inside of the bag and pulling out a spiral notebook that was navy blue and engraved in gold lettering at the bottom.
           Flipping through the pages, he saw that they were blank. Looking at her with questioning eyes, he saw that she was ready to explain.
           "I got you this because when we were on the phone once, you told me that you wanted to start back writing again. Hopefully this sparks something in you." Nadia explained.
           Jalil hugged her and kissed her lips. She smiled at the action and kissed him back before pulling away.
           "There's more keep looking." She pointed to the bag and he dug his hand inside, pulling out an envelope. Opening it he read the contents out loud.
           "Two reservations to Jimmy's Steak House." He said and looked at Nadia. "Girl, we talked about this too!"
           Nadia laughed at his reaction and nodded. "Yes, we did. Now, come on- let's go and get ready." Nadia said as she pulled him by his hand outside.
           Hours had passed and Nadia hummed to the song as she looked at the menu that had been placed in front of her. The restaurant had many options, and she was excited to eat. Other than flowers, eating was her favorite pastime. Even though she was small in frame- her appetite was large.
           She felt eyes on her and looked up to see the Jalil looking at her. Their eyes connected and Nadia felt warmness all over her body. Looking back at her menu, she felt Jalil take it from her.
           He closed it and grabbed her hands from across the table, intertwining them with his own.
           "I just want to say thank you." He looked at her. "You ain't even have to do all this. But I'm grateful." He kissed her hand.
           Nadia felt herself blush. "You know I got you. I'm glad you like everything."
           "I'll like anything you do." He winked at her. "Now, what you getting? I'm thinking about this rib eye."
           "I think I want a 12 oz with shrimp on top. And I pray they're not stingy with the A1 sauce because I need the whole bottle." Nadia said and Jalil laughed.
           The waiter came and took their orders. When their food came Nadia said the grace and they began to eat their meal. Jalil snuck one of Nadia's shrimps and she frowned, swatting his hands away.
           "You play too much." Nadia pouted and Jalil laughed at how she frowned.
           "Aw is the baby sad?" He said as he leaned over and pinched her cheeks.
           Nadia swatted his hands away. "You better be glad it's your birthday."
           He laughed and the pair continued eating. When they were done, Nadia paid for the bill. As they walked outside, the late March air was cool, and Nadia knew that spring was officially here. She loved every second of it. Jalil looked down the street and saw an ice cream truck.
           "Let's go for some ice cream," Jalil suggested and Nadia nodded. They walked down the street and walked up to the food truck.
           "Can I get two cones of raspberry ice cream? Jalil ordered. Once they received their cones, they began to walk down the small strip.
           "Jalil. I hope you know what you're doing by ordering this. I've never tried it." Nadia said looking at her cone skeptically. She usually only chose vanilla- but this was a stretch.
           "Girl trust me. I wouldn't steer you wrong." He said as he licked his cone.
           Nadia licked it and looked up at him wide-eyed. "It's so good!" she said as she licked it more.
           "See I told you. I'll admit- South Carolina got some good ice cream. Pizza ain't worth nothing though." He said and Nadia lightly pushed him causing him to laugh loudly.
           The pair continued to walk, and they finished their cones, discarding them in a nearby trashcan.
           Jalil grabbed her hands and intertwined them with his own. "Hey, can you give me the time?"
           Nadia looked at her watch. "It's 12:02. Dang we've been out for a minute."
           "That's good. I love being with you." Jalil said. He stopped walking and stood in front of Nadia. He cleared his throat before speaking. "I like our walks and our talks. Nadia...we've been taking it slow for a while. And I'd be honored if you would be my girlfriend."
           Nadia's heart raced as she processed his words. She inhaled and nodded her head yes.
           "Yes." Nadia said. "I'd love to be your girl."
           Jalil wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her lips softly. He held her chin as he did so and when he was done, he looked into Nadia's eyes.
           "You saying yes made my birthday even better." He spoke, kissing her again.

**
           When Jalil returned home, he was on cloud nine. The smile that was etched on his face couldn't be wiped off even if he tried.
           He walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and as he opened the top, he saw a pale pink envelope addressed to him on the counter. Frowning, he picked it up and sat down at the table and opened the letter.

Dear Jalil,

           Happy birthday baby boy. I know I haven't written in a while but I had to write you for your birthday. I am so happy that you made it to 28.

           It's hard to believe that you're not my baby boy anymore. I remember you sitting on my lap during the winter as we watched the snow fall. I'd give you hot chocolate and gingerbread. And I'd read to you every night.

           You have grown up well. And I'm so happy you're not in any trouble. Well- not anymore. Jalil, that hurt me when you went to jail. But your sister has told me that you've grown from that person you used to be. I praise God for that.

           I want you to come and see me sometime this summer. South Carolina is too hot for your grandma and I'm getting to old. But I need to see you, baby boy.

           In the words of Eddie Kendricks: keep on truckin'.

           I love you always.

                                 -Grandma

           Jalil closed the letter with his heart racing and his mind going in a million different directions. It had been years since he'd saw or heard from his grandmother. The last thing he remembered of her was her crying as he was sentenced.
           I can't believe she wrote me, Jalil thought as he opened the letter and read the contents of it again. And she wants me to see her, Jalil thought to himself.
           Closing the letter, he put it back inside of the envelope and stood, cutting out the kitchen light. He lay on the couch and looked up, thinking about the events of today.
           Nadia is officially my girl and I heard from Grandma, Jalil thought. His hand touched something, and he looked down, seeing the bag that Nadia had gotten him for his birthday.
           Pulling out the notebook, he sat up and grabbed a pen from the bowl on the table. He opened up the notebook and began to write.

***

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. They're finally together. And I'm so happy for them.

See you soon!

-Malaysia :)