A Man's Appetite (3 page)

              “Well, stop yelling.”

“Ok, but you better have something important to talk about. Especially after all I just went through.”

              “I was just checking to see how everything went with the new job.”

“Not bad. My staff isn’t big and I didn’t get to meet them either.”

              “Why is that? You’re not allowed?”

“Of course, I’m allowed. Silly. Just so happen, no one was at work. One person was on vacation, one was out on sick-leave, and the other was away, running errands.”

              “So, everyone was away when you arrive? They must have heard some bad news about you.”

“Shut up. I take that back. I did see one lady. She was walking in, as I was leaving. She seems ok. I believe her name is Tiffany.”

              “So, if everyone is gone, do they just shut the area down?”

“No. They had an intern filling in.”

              “Nice?”

“If anything, a freak.”

              “What? What happen?”

“The little, young freak was kissing all on me, just to say hello.”

              “A guy?”

“Of course, a guy. His name is Tony.”

              “Tony. Be careful.”

“Girl, this is my job. I’m not building any relationships. I don’t even want to make friends. As long as I do my job and they do their job, I’m good. Anyways, enough of that.”

              “What’s going on for the weekend?”

“I feel like celebrating. I think we should do something.”

              “What did you have in mind?”

“Let’s do something at my place. I can have Michael get on the grill, I’ll whip up some sides, and put you on desserts.”

              “Put me on or ask me?”

“Show up with nothing and watch what happens. As a matter of fact, show up with nothing HOMEMADE and watch what happens.”

              “Whatever. Once you get everything together, just let me know.”

“Alright, young’n. I’ll talk to you later.”

              “Bye.”

Marla arrived home and parked next to Michael’s truck. Every since Marla and Michael have moved into their new home, people have been coming by. There is something about getting a new home that makes people think they can constantly visit. They feel they should share in your joy, wear out your carpet, weaken the frame in your furniture, eat your meals, drink your coffee, and so forth. But, Marla and Michael didn’t mind. They enjoyed the company. They enjoyed entertaining guest at their previous home and now that Marla had her dream home, it has become a pleasure. Marla approached the front door with her portfolio in one hand and the house keys in the other. Before she could insert her key, she heard noises from the inside. “Arrrgh!” With a confused look on her face, Marla quickly opened the door and discovered Michael in a ‘dog stance’ on the floor, with Michael Jr. pulling on his neck. “Hey, honey”, Michael whispered as Michael Jr. minimized his ability to talk.

“Hey. Michael don’t be so rough with Junior.”

              “He’s choking me.”

“You know what I mean and please don’t break the table, acting crazy.”

Marla walked over to the couch, furthest away from Michael and Junior, and had a seat. Michael managed to lift up and get an arm around Junior’s waist. Once Michael grasps Junior, Junior let go of Michael’s neck and dangled on the side.

              “How did everything go at the job?”

“Not bad. She wanted to show me the area and have me meet some of my staff.”

              “Friendly staff?”

“Well I actually didn’t meet them. The only person there was an intern.”

Michael laughs.

              “So, she had you meet people that weren’t there.”

“Yes. The staff is small and everyone was out for something different. It just let’s you know that they’re a group of characters. But! Nothing new. Honey, I wanted to throw a party this weekend.”

              “For Junior?”

“Oh my goodness! I have too much going on. Junior’s birthday is Sunday!”

              “Not good, Marla. What was your party for?”

“Well, I wanted to celebrate my new job. Is it possible to do something this Friday and take Junior out on Saturday?”

              “I guess. It makes for a busy weekend.”

“True, but Saturday we’ll go somewhere and won’t have to worry about cleaning and the whole nine.”

Michael brought Junior face-to-face and said, “We have to pray for momma.”

“Don’t do that. That’s not funny. Michael, I need you to barbeque for me on Friday.”

Michael gave Marla a dead stare and walked out of the family room. “Michael”, screamed Marla. Michael didn’t respond and continued to play with Junior. “You can’t make any mistakes in this house”, yelled Marla. Still, Michael did not respond.

It was mid-morning-afternoon and the sun had found its place for today. Smoke was pouring out, from the back patio of Marla and Michael’s home. The smell of charcoal traveled a mile away. The sound of meat being seared played in the background. “You got it smelling good, Mike”, yelled their next door neighbor, Jimmy. Michael removed the bottle of water from his lips and raised the bottle as confirmation.

“What time did you say? Five”, asked Jimmy

              “Yes, sir”, replied Michael.

Marla decided to call and checkup on Di.

“Di.”

              “What?”

“You don’t say hello?”

              “I did. That’s your cheap phone.”

“Whatever. What did you make?”

              “For what?”

“Girl, don’t play with me.”

Di starts laughing.

              “Don’t worry about it. You’ll see when I get there.”

“Well, I’ve invited a few people. Are you and the family still coming?”

              “Yes. Stanley doesn’t have to work late, tonight. Who did you invite?”

“My home girl from college, Stephanie and her man. And, my new boss, Angie. She said she might bring a date, so that’s four people. So, make sure you bring enough dessert. Don’t make me look bad.”

              “Don’t make yourself look bad. Is mom and dad coming?”

“No. Their flight was cancelled. So, they’ll miss Junior’s birthday.”

              “Marla! You didn’t remind me. I forgot this Sunday is Michael’s birthday.”

“Girl, I almost forgot myself.”

              “Shame on you. He will be the three, this year. Well, whatever you do, count me in.”

“Alright. Don’t forget five o’clock.”

As Marla was hanging up the phone, Michael brought in his last pan of meat, from off the grill.

“Baby, I called Freddie and Friends, for tomorrow. I told them four-thirty. I figured that would be enough time. Is that ok?”

              “Sure”, responded Michael, tiredly.

“My baby is wore out. He woke up at seven, this morning to start prepping to grill his meat. No matter what, he always comes through when I need him. I know exactly what he’s about to do. I just hope that he awakes by five.” Michael removed his shoes, washed his hands, and went to the bedroom.  Junior walked up to Marla.

“Sirul, Mommy.”

              “Ok. My baby want some cereal? Come ‘on.”

4:38 PM

The doorbell ranged. “This better be Di”, said Marla as she rushed to the door, preparing to see Di on the other side.

“Angie!”

              “Hey, Marla. I hope I’m not here too early.”

“Of course not…. Tony”, says Marla with a confused look.

              “Beautiful Marla. How are you?”

“I’m ok. Come in, please.”

Marla purposely stood behind the door to prevent Tony from trying to kiss her or hug her. Angie and Tony walked in, scanning the house. Marla closed the door and began to walk behind them.

              “You have a beautiful home, Marla”, said Angie.

“Why, thank you.”

              “I agree”, confirmed Tony.

“Please, have a seat you two. My husband is in the shower. He should be out shortly. I can show you two around later on, if you like.”

              “I would love that.”

“Would you two like anything to drink?”

              “Ice water would be great”, requested Angie.

              “I’m ok, for now.”

“Ok.”

Marla headed toward the kitchen to prepare a glass of water for Angie. “Since when is the intern your date? Goodness. I did not want to walk into another ‘on the job’ soap opera.” Marla returned to the family room with the glass of water.

“Here you go”, said Marla as she handed the glass of water.

              “Thanks. Marla I may have to switch jobs with you. I don’t think I can afford a house like this.”

Marla laughed.

“Trust me. I don’t pay for this house alone. Actually, my husband built it, himself.”

              “Really?”

“Yes. Well, not the whole thing, but he had a hand in it. He’s a contractor.”

              “Nice catch.”

“Thanks.”

Suddenly, there were a few loud knocks, on the door.

“Now, I know exactly who this is.”

Marla opened the door.

“Di! You had me worried.”

              “Girl, hush and take these pans.”

“Hey, Stanley.”

                            “Hey.”

Marla grabbed some of Di’s pans and had Di follow her to the kitchen. On their way, Marla stopped to introduce everyone.

“Angie and Tony, this is my sister, Diane, her husband, Stanley, and their three kids, Stan, Renee, and Robert. Stanley and Diane, this is my new supervisor, Angie and one of my staff members, Tony.”

Everyone greeted each other, then Marla and Di continued to the kitchen. Di had a strange look on her face, as they entered the kitchen.

              “Tony”, whispered Di.

“Yes.”

              “Is this the one you called a freak?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure what that’s all about. I’m just as clueless.”

As Marla and Di were organizing the dishes, the doorbell rang.

“That must be Stephanie.”

Marla rushed to the door and opened to her surprise, it was her next door neighbors.

“Jimmy! Rhonda!”

              “Hey, Marla”, replied Jimmy and Rhonda in unison.

“You two came to join the party?”

              “Yes. Michael invited us. I hope he told you”, said Jimmy.

“Of course, not. Michael doesn’t tell me anything. It’s ok, though. We have more than enough food. Come on in.”

As Marla was introducing Jimmy and Rhonda to everyone, Michael came out of the bedroom.

                            “Hello, Hello”, said Michael.

“Angie and Tony, this is my husband, Michael.”

After everyone sat and talked for a while, the doorbell began to ring again. It was Marla’s friend, Stephanie and her long-term boyfriend, Reggie. Marla introduced Stephanie and Reggie to everyone and went to the kitchen to finish setting up the food.

Stephanie left Reggie with the other guests and followed Marla into the kitchen.

              “Girl, I didn’t know you still threw house parties like back in the day.”

“Stephanie be quiet. You are a trip. I’m too old for those type of parties. And, don’t play. You know it was you that was throwing the big ‘shin-digs’ back in college.”

As Stephanie was observing Marla put her final touches on the meal, she suddenly felt someone grab both sides of her waist to move her out of the way.

              “Excuse me. Marla, where is your bathroom”, asked Tony.

“Down this hall, the third door on your right”, replied Marla with an angry look on her face.

                            “Do men just randomly grab women nowadays?”

“I’m so sorry, Stephanie. It won’t happen again. He’s new and apparently disrespectful.”

                            “Yes. A little too touchy, feely.”

“Well, Stephanie I know you’re a guest and all, but I need you to grab some of these pans and help me carry them to the dining room.”

                            “Marla, you so crazy. I’ll just follow you.”

“Thanks girl.”

Marla and Stephanie, each grabbed two pans of food and marched over to the dining room. As they walked pass everyone in the family room, Marla yelled at Diane.

“Ummm, Di!”

              “Marla, do I work you like this?”

Diane got out of her seat and headed for the kitchen.

“This chick got some nerve”, whispered Marla to Stephanie.

As Marla headed back to the kitchen, she noticed Tony coming her way, from the bathroom. Instead of going back into the kitchen, Marla approached Tony face-to-face.

“This is something I will only say one time. You are a guest in this house. This does not give you the right to disrespect anyone, definitely none of my guest. Do you understand?”

              “Yes. I apologize.”

“For the rest of day, please act as if you have manners.”

Marla quietly walked away and returned to the kitchen. After neatly organizing the many trays of food in the dining room, she returned to the family room to make her announcement.

“Ok! Dinner is ready!”

Everyone rose from their seat and headed for the dining room.

“Oh, Oh. I know y’all better wash them hands, before y’all start grabbing stuff.”

Everyone did a U-turn and headed for the bathrooms and kitchen to wash their hands. As they began to appear in the dining room, one-by-one, they noticed the dishes neatly placed and ready. Marla stood by the dishes, with a smile on her face, disbursing to everyone as they walked by.

“Can I have two plates”, asked Jimmy.

“Awww. You’re going to fix Rhonda’s plate”, said Marla as she handed Jimmy a second plate.

              “No. I need to fix a plate to take home for myself.”

“What?! You got some nerve, Jimmy. Give me that plate back”, yelled Marla as she snatched the second plate out of Jimmy’s hand.

                            “You know men”, said Rhonda, as she followed behind Jimmy.

Marla nodded in agreement and then shook her head no in shame at Jimmy. Everyone fixed their plate and gathered at the dining room table. Even with people going back for more food, there was still a lot of food remaining.

As the minutes went by, forks began to slow down and rest. Various people started to use the table for support after eating a gigantic meal. Everyone were at the table, except for Stanley. Jimmy moved away from the table and placed all his weight on the back of the chair, displaying his own “white flag”. Weighing over 300 pounds, Jimmy had his “fair share” for the day. Diane began to take a few deep breaths, as she prepared to belch. Jimmy reached for his waist and looked at Marla.

              “Is it okay, if I undo my pants at the table”, he asked.