Human Nature A T'Challa Udaku Short Story

Part 2

If they say why (why?), why (why?)
Tell them that it's human nature
Why (why?), why (why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (why?), why (why?)
Tell them that it's human nature
Why (why?), why (why?), does he do me that way?
Michael Jackson "Human Nature"

***

Me: I know it's late, I hope your business trip is going well. Call me when you wake up. I love you. Sweet dreams my love.

"Girl I know you aren't texting him still. It's probably after midnight over there."

Naomi looked up as her friends chastised her. "Is it a crime to miss my husband?" Naomi cocked her hip.
"No, but that's why we're here. Besides, he had to leave for work like this when y'all were dating too. You should be used to it girl. You know what you signed up for." a young toffee skinned woman sassed back. Tasha Johnson had no problem keeping it real with her girl. That was precisely the reason that she and Naomi got along so well. They kept it real with each other, but were always there to support and encourage the other when the situation called for it.

Naomi knew she was right, she was usually right. Every time T'Challa had to go away like this, she would take the opportunity to invite her friends over for a sleepover. They were only partially right though, she did miss her new husband, but she also missed living with her girls. She lived with them up until she and T'Challa got married a few months ago. With her husband being gone so often, she wasn't used to being alone. "That doesn't make the separation any easier," Naomi argued.

"Then why don't you ask to go with him next time sis?" Gabrielle offered from her seat at the island. Gabrielle Hall was Naomi's oldest friend. To be fair, she only outranked Tasha by a few months, but time had never mattered with these two. Gabrielle was Naomi's roommate at Clark Atlanta University freshmen year. They instantly hit it off and with Tasha living across the hall, roommate less after her roommate left the school, the three became fast friends.

Naomi turned off the stove before replying. "You think I can?" She turned and grabbed three bowls from the cabinet. "Uh duh sis, you got wifey status now. With that big ole rock on your finger." Tasha chimed in. "Still, United Nations stuff might be kinda private," Naomi reasoned.
"As long as you buy your own ticket, it shouldn't be that big of a problem. It's not like y'all will need a separate room." Gabrielle replied.

"Right, you don't have to go to work with him, but homeboy be going to some nice places. Make a little vacation out of it. And I'm sure he'd be happy to have a little piece of home with him." Tasha reassured. Naomi hummed in response. She placed even helpings of pasta in each of the bowls and handed them out. "I'll think about it," Naomi promised, settling at the dining room table.

"So what else is on the 'keep Naomi from texting her future baby daddy' agenda?" Gabrielle teased. "Well I could use some help with wedding planning-," Naomi trailed off as her friends groaned. "Oh come on y'all, you're supposed to be my maids of honor. This is maid of honor work."

"But like isn't this what you do for a living? Plan other people's weddings?" Tasha asked. Naomi twirled the pasta around her spoon. "I mean yeah, but it's apparently a lot easier when it's not your own wedding," Naomi mumbled before lifting the pasta to her lips. "Well, it should be a little less stressful," Gabrielle comforted, " y'all did the hard part already."

"True, the courthouse elopement takes off a lot of pressure." Tasha echoed her friend. "Yeah, but this time all of our friends and family will be there. I just want everything to look great and have fun. I want it to feel like us." Naomi explained.

"And it will baby girl," Gabrielle offered. "It'll be as bougie and black as y'all make it. You're on top of your career, and so is he." Tasha hyped. "Exactly, you planned Beyonce's vow renewal. You can definitely do this." Gabrielle added.

"Thanks, but I would still like y'all's help," Naomi pouted.

"Fine-" "We'd love to-" Tasha and Gabrielle started at the same time. Naomi laughed.

"What do you need help with girl," Gabrielle elbowed Tasha. "We have to choose the venue. They all offer something different but I just can't decide. They're all within walking distance of the reception hall, you know so that guests will hopefully participate in the second line parade."

"Wait, the bridesmaids get a change of shoes for this part right," Tasha interrupted. "Girl that is so not the point," Gabrielle laughed. Naomi shook her head, "Anyway, these are the options," Naomi pulled up the list on her phone and the group got to work. Hours later the women found themselves lounging on the couch. "Are you gonna include T'Challa's family in this?" Gabrielle interrupted the comfortable silence of the room. "I don't know yet, he hasn't really talked much about inviting his family. He said he might try to see them on this trip." Naomi replied.

"Well, if he wants them here, you should try to include his little sister, maybe as a bridesmaid. She's what 18,19?" Gabrielle continued. "Yeah, he said she turned 18 a few months ago," Naomi confirmed. "Good, it'll be a great gesture if it can happen." Gabrielle finished.

"Yeah, I'll ask him about it when he gets back."

"Have you guys set an official date for the wedding?"

"It really comes down to what day the venue is open. So we're pretty flexible. Like y'all said, we're already married, this is just the fun part." Naomi shrugged, wiggling into a more comfortable spot on her part of the large sectional. "What about the honeymoon?" Tasha questioned. "We don't know yet either, we have to see how long he can take off. Also realizing that if something goes down, he could be called into work." Naomi frowned at the thought.

"I guess there's no rest for everyone's favorite United Nations ambassador," Gabrielle teased.

"I guess not," Naomi laughed. Tash sat up from her position on the chaise, "The real question is where are we going for this bachelorette party?"

"I was thinking Greece," Naomi smiled, "Ride some horses on the ocean and sightsee. Mostly hang out on the beach. But we gotta go to the Parthenon y'all."

"Oh god, she's gonna turn the party into a history tour," Tasha groaned. "Shut up," Naomi threw a pillow at her friend.

"You know the strip club and bar scene isn't really her thing, besides she's already married. With a husband like T'Challa, I'd be surprised if any stripper could measure up anyway." Gabrielle teased.

"Moving on," Naomi loudly announced as Tasha cracked up on the carpet. "Ha ha ha," Naomi deadpanned. Gabrielle shrugged, "I'm just speaking the truth. Besides, Greece sounds great. Who's going?"

"I was thinking just us, and I guess T'Challa's sister if she wants to go, Bey and Porche, if they can shake the kids for a long weekend," Tasha rambled. "Sounds like a party to me," Gabrielle nodded and sat up on the couch. "I'm down too," Tasha cosigned. 

"Well, I'm gonna head to bed. Y'all know where the rooms are. Night." Naomi yawned before trudging up the stairs, blanket over her head. "Night," Tasha and Gabrielle called before following suit. Once in her room, Naomi picked up the picture of her and T'Challa at the courthouse on their wedding day. He was pressing a kiss to her cheek as she grinned. With his hand wrapped around her waist, she flashed her diamond ring for the camera to see. The happiness in the picture was contagious. A grin spread across her own face before she face-planted into their bed.