"Tried somethin' difernt," Alvin announced as he plunked three bowls of stew down. A basket of fresh bread and creamery butter joined them. "Taste."
They dutifully did. Closing his eyes, blowing over it like fine wine, Obi smiled.
"You've added another herb." He took another sip, giving it the same treatment. "Is that—fennel?"
"Yeup! His idea." He jerked his thumb at the kitchen. "Like?"
"I do. It brightens it up, and brings out the flavor of the onions. Did you use different onions, too?"
"Yeup—leeks n' red ns."
"It's delicious. Even better, and I didn't think that was possible."
"Cool." Nodding, he went back to the bar.
Others came and went while they enjoyed their meal. It was mid-afternoon when they left, with another loaf of Alvin's bread, and two growlers of his home brew. Back at the cabin, they geared up for another fishing trip. This time, all three went.
Slathered with sunscreen, they sipped Alvin's beer, talking quietly about various subjects. All of them had similar interests, which were highly eclectic. The subjects varied greatly. During that time, they managed to catch six fish. Deciding that was a good haul, they headed back to the cabin.
Obi's phone rang as they were tying the boat off at the dock. "Hiya, beautiful," he greeted Wynter.
"Hiya, handsome. How's your day going?"
He told her what they'd been doing. "How about you?"
"We're having a good day at home. Mom wanted movie madness. Emily wanted a spa day, so we gave one another manicures and binge watched Hulu."
"Sounds like a fun day."
"It has been. When are you coming back?"
"Tomorrow morning. Clive and I have to go right to work, but Eagle will be doing—whatever he's going to be doing."
"Having a long talk with Sarah," Eagle said from behind Obi.
"That sounds like a good idea," Wynter said, having heard Eagle. "She's called twice, mildly freaking out. I guess he left an enigmatic message on her voice mail?"
"No idea. We told him he needed to talk to her about—various things."
"You mean sex," she said.
"Yes. How did you guess?"
"They're to a point where they need to do something definitive. He doesn't want to push, she doesn't think she's ready—whatever the issue—I'm too old for that stress."
Obi laughed loudly. "Are you? That's a pity, because it's a conversation we should have, too." He stopped walking, letting his brothers pass him on the path.
When Wynter didn't say anything, he forged ahead. "I know we haven't defined our relationship, but I'd like to be able to call you my girlfriend. Would that be acceptable?"
"I'd like that."
"So would I. In that capacity—"
"You'll be wanting sex."
"Eventually. I know you're a born again virgin, and I accept that. But I hope you see our relationship having staying power."
"I do."
"Good. Because I look at my future life, and I see you in it."
She gave a shuddering breath.
"We haven't known each other long, but I connected with you on a level—I've never been here before. No one makes me feel the way you do."
"As if you could leap tall buildings?"
"Yeah. Provided you asked me to. For you, I'd figure it out."
"Me too. I feel the same way. You're the man I've waited for, my entire adult life."
"And you're the woman I've dreamed of."
She sighed happily. A moment later, he joined her.
"Obes!" Clive called, holding up a fish.
"I have to go help fillet the fish. I got out of it last night, by making the sides. But I made enough for two meals."
"No excuse."
"Nope. And that beer won't drink itself."
Laughing, they said goodbye.
"Sorry. Had to have a conversation with Wynter."
"And?" Eagle asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I officially have a new girlfriend."
"Excellent, dude," his younger brothers chorused, laughing as they pointed at one another.
"The fish won't fillet itself," Obi stated, picking up a knife.
Between the three of them, the fish were quickly prepared. This time, they wanted to marinate them for a little while. Obi set that up while the other two cleaned out the grill, filling it with fresh coals. That accomplished, they joined Obi in the kitchen. Clive made mashed potatoes, and Eagle shucked some fresh corn they'd picked up at a roadside stand on the way out.
After another delicious meal, they cleaned up and went to bed early. Obi and Clive had to be at the church by 9:00. Since it was nearly an hour drive, at peak rush hour, they needed to give themselves a good two hours.
The following morning, they cleared out the perishables from the fridge, and put their trash in the trunk of the car. They intended to stop by Slow Moe's and drop it in the dumpster. Alvin offered this amenity to regular visitors. Grabbing coffee and fresh donuts at Moe's, they got on the road. Clive drove, because Obi's shoulder was bothering him. He'd overdone the day before, but wouldn't have traded the time with his brothers for anything.
©Dellani Oakes 2023
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