"Shoes, and I'm set." He slipped loafers on his feet. Grabbing his jacket, wallet and keys, he declared himself ready.
"Umbrellas," his mother said as they got to the door.
"Good idea," he said. "Thanks, Mom."
"See you at church. Will you be up front?"
"Absolutely." Giving her another kiss, he ushered the sisters out.
Fortunately, his car was in the garage, and they didn't have to make a mad dash to get into it.
"I don't have Mom's clicker," Wynter said with a sigh. "How about I go in and hit the wall switch and grab it out of the car?"
"That sounds like a good idea. That way, when you're all dressed up, you don't have to worry about getting wet," Obi replied.
"Brilliant, Sis!" Emily agreed.
They did just that. The rain had eased off a little by the time they got to Wanda's house. Wynter jogged to the front porch, let herself in, and was distressed to hear noises upstairs. Slamming the front door, she yelled at her sister before going to the garage.
Emily came in, immediately clicking on the music. She purposely chose Cowboys from Hell by Pantera. The loud, raucous song was anything but sexy. She wanted to interrupt them, but didn't hold out much hope.
"Quick showers, five minute makeup and I'll be ready," Wynter said.
"It will take me a little longer," Emily confessed. "My hair is feeling this rain."
"It doesn't have to be slicked back," Wynter said, fluffing Emily's hair. "These curls are gorgeous. Give it a good brushing, it's fine."
"You think?"
"Go big, or go home," Obi said. "I think it would look good on you."
"And I have just the outfit," she said with a grin. Trotting up the stairs to her room, she banged on the wall, which was back to back with the master bedroom. "Time for church, you heathens!" she yelled.
Wynter trotted up behind her, adding her own banging. Obi stood on the stairs, hammering on the wall, singing along with Rob Zombie, who was now growling out the lyrics to More Human Than Human.
The door to the bedroom slammed open. Clive came out, naked and angry.
"What? You can't leave a man alone—?"
"Dude. Pants," Obi said, pointing.
Fortunately, Emily and Wynter were in their rooms.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks for that. I didn't get to finish."
"Crying in my heart for you—not," Obi replied. "Go change the sheets, Wanda's going to want her room, when she gets home."
"Yeah, get over yourself."
"Never gonna happen."
Muttering and fussing, Clive went to the bedroom, slamming the door. Obi heard the water start in the shower. Rather than wandering around upstairs, he went to the foyer. He was intrigued by the house, so he walked around, looking. Built about the same time as his home, it even had a similar layout, though the reverse of his. He admired the furniture and pictures on the walls, pleased to see more than one family portrait. Hung chronologically, he saw the girls grow up. Captivated by Wynter's smile, he stared at her senior portrait for several minutes.
"Ah-hm," he heard next to him.
Wynter stood beside him, smiling and looking expectant. "I left off the lip gloss, so we won't make a mess."
Putting her arms around him, she gave him a kiss.
"Step away from the woman," his brother said loudly.
Jumping slightly, Obi stepped back, tripping over a hassock. Wynter grabbed his belt, keeping him upright. He froze. With her hand that close to his zipper, he suddenly felt a surge of lust course through him.
"You okay, Bro?" Clive said, rushing to his side.
"Yeah. Fine."
"You don't look fine." He extracted his brother from Wynter's hold.
"No. I'm good."
"Sure you are. Let's get you something to eat, huh?"
"Got food—in the car," he gasped.
"Let's go get it, shall we? The ladies are putting on the finishing touches."
"Is that—what you're wearing—to church?" Obi managed to ask as he walked the car.
Clive slid behind the wheel, after making sure his brother was settled on the other side.
"It's what I've got. Got anything I can wear, at the church?"
"Maybe a shirt, or pants."
"You sure you're okay?"
"A beautiful woman kissed me, then grabbed my belt. Do I look fine?"
"No. Which is why I asked."
"You had to do it," Obi muttered.
"Do what?" Smiling, he hopped out of the car when the women exited the house.
"You know perfectly well what," Obi grumbled.
"Yeah," Clive replied, not really looking at his brother. "Because she's gorgeous, and wanted a good man."
"I hate you so much, right now."
"I know, but you'll get over it." He helped the ladies get in the car. "Next stop, St. Pete's!"
Traffic wasn't too bad between Wanda's house and the church. They made good time. Once the ladies were settled up front, the men explored the vestry, to see if there was anything for Clive to upgrade his wardrobe. They found a pair of Obi's pants and a jacket. Technically, they were part of his uniform, which he kept for emergency changes. Paired with a plain white shirt, which they dug out of the charity donations, he declared himself fit. The shirt looked like it had never been worn, and was fairly wrinkle free. A quick swipe with an iron, and it was just right.
©Dellani Oakes 2023
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