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“What’s your favorite color?”
So far today after taking Gabe to school, I took some jewelry orders to the post office to be shipped off. I then stopped by the bank to make a deposit. After that, I went to the craft store to restock a few things for my business, and now I’m at the grocery store shopping for the next two weeks.
The entire time Gabriel has been by my side to help. He carried all my mail packages, making it a one-time trip inside the post office rather than the two or three it usually takes me. He stood silently beside me at the bank, helped me pick up material and carry my bags at the craft store, and even now he’s pushing the cart as I add things to it.
He’s never complained or rushed me, even when I stood in the beads section of the craft store trying to figure out which blue stones to buy. He has been patient and helpful, and it has meant the world to me.
“Black,” he grumbles as he follows me with the cart as I pick up a bag of Vidalia onions.
That wasn’t hard to guess as I look at his black zip up hoodie and black shiny combat boots. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in any color other than black and blue jeans.
“Favorite food?” I ask next.
For the last twenty minutes I’ve been asking him questions to get to know him better. Despite the fact we have a child together and spent one hell of a night with one another, I don’t really know this man. This seemed like the best opportunity to do that.
“Pancakes,” he says.
Turning to look at him I raise a brow.
“Why pancakes?”
He lifts a shoulder. “It’s the first food I had with my brothers.”
“Okay, that’s going to require further explanation.”
He shakes his head but obliges me. “When Priest came and got me from my mother, he took me and my brothers to an all-you-can-eat pancake spot. It was my first time ever eating at a restaurant. However, I was still a bit skeptical of him and didn’t want to eat. He bought a huge stack of pancakes for the table. Everyone else kind of dug in but I didn’t.
“I think Priest understood I was a bit weary of him. He excused himself to the bathroom. My brother, Lucien, placed a pancake on my plate and told me to eat. When I refused, he said it was fine, but no one else would eat until I ate. They didn’t want me to starve by myself. It was the first time anyone ever showed me any type of kindness. So, I ate the pancakes so they could eat.
“Once the stack was gone, Priest came back to the table and finished his food. I realized later that he never really went to the bathroom. Til this day, that is one of my favorite memories and pancakes is my favorite food.”
I don’t show how that story made me realize how hard Gabriel had it in his childhood. I know enough about him to know that he wouldn’t like my sympathy. And he also didn’t share such an intimate memory with me so I could feel sorry for him. So, instead of telling him how sorry I was or how much my heart goes out to the lost little boy that needed kindness. I do what I do best.
“Damn, he could have at least taken you to a steak house. I mean pancakes are good and all, but steak is way better.”
I felt proud of the small smile he gave me from my joke. It let me know I made the right decision. We moved on from the vegetables and headed down the rice and pasta aisle.
“When’s your birthday?” I ask, grabbing a bag of Jasmine rice from the bottom shelf.
“April 22nd.”
“You’re a Taurus. It means you’re loyal and stubborn.” I turn to glance at him over my shoulder giving him a pointed look. “Makes sense.”
I get another rare smile from him.
“Alright, so I feel like I’ve asked you enough questions. What do you want to know about me?” I turn to fully face him putting my hands on my hips.
He lifts a brow. “I already know everything about you.”
I scoff. “No, I’m being serious.” I move to the side so that an elderly couple can get past me in the aisle.
“So am I.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I tilt my head to the side. “Okay, when’s my birthday?”
“June 27th.”
I was shocked, but that was an easy question. You can find that out by searching my Facebook.
