I dressed for dinner, leaving Gram downstairs with the bubbling sauce, cornbread and center cut pork chops keeping warm. I had taken a biscuit for good measure and smeared more of my pussy cream on its golden crown, imagining my man's face when he bit down into it. Maybe he'd swirl it in the cream sauce for added effect. I still wondered what Gram's cooking was going to accomplish. I asked her but received no answer other than a sour look so I poured my efforts into making myself look good.
At first, I was going to wear my best dress but decided that I'd rather give Carlos the idea that this was a casual affair for me, that it didn't mean as much as I knew it did. I didn't want to tip my hand and give him the control, even though he had every single bit of it. When I came downstairs, Gram stood up and gave me a knowing smile.
"You look good enough to eat, girl. Good job."
"Thanks, Gram. The table looks wonderful." The doorbell rang and I stared at her for a few moments, my mouth suddenly dry. "He's here."
The bell rang a second time a few seconds later and Gram gave me a push. "Well, answer the door. He ain't gonna eat on the porch."
I stumbled over to the door, took several deep breaths and pulled it open. Carlos lifted his eyes and we just stood there, staring at each other for a few minutes. "Hello, Carlos."
"Hi, Betty. Can I come in?"
I fought the urge to tell him that it was his house and stood aside so that he could enter. He awkwardly offered me the bouquet of flowers and asked how I was. Again, I fought the urge to say the first thing on my mind and told him that I was doing all right. Gram picked that precise moment to come in and break the ice between us.