the curbside.
“I love you, have a safe flight and I’ll see you when you get back.”
“I love you, too.”
He leaned over and gave her a sensual kiss before grabbing his bags from the back seat.
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
DJ waved as the automatic doors opened then closed behind him.
As Denise pulled off, merging onto the interstate and into traffic, she smiled. We are truly living out our dreams. This is freakin’ amazing!
Several minutes later her phone rang. She answered via speaker phone.
“You miss me already?” She questioned.
“I missed you once I got out of the car. You almost at the office?”
“No, I have to stop at Publix’s first and pick up some meat.”
“You’re really serious about this grilling thing aren’t you?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? You really don’t think I know how to grill, do you?”
“I know you can, baby. I was playing with you; however , I also know there are some articles that need to be finished.”
“I’m going to finish them, DJ.”
“When?”
She didn’t answer .
“That’s what I thought. We have the party tomorrow, then next week’s schedule is as busy as this week’s. So, I’ve called dad. He’s going to meet you at the office.”
“DJ!” Denise whined.
“DJ nothing. He’s already in route. I’ll call him and let him know you’re stopping at the store first, but you’ll be there shortly. Okay?”
“Okay,” she sighed.
“I’m only doing it because I love you and I need you to finish those articles.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Okay, well they’re boarding my flight. I’ll talk with you later. Be careful.”
“You too, baby.”
***
After leaving Publix, Denise headed to the office. When she arrived she noticed DJ’s dad on the side of the building in the courtyard. She parked in the garage and carried the bags inside.
“Good morning baby.”
“Good morning, daddy. You know you didn’t have to come down.”
“Well, D called and asked if I’d do him a favor and I said yes. So, here I am,” he responded, taking the bags from her hands.
Keisha pressed the buzzer as Denise and Mr. Chatman approached the glass door.
“Good morning,” Keisha said.
“Good morning,” they replied.
“What brings you to South Beach, Mr. Chatman?”
“My daughter needed me so I had to come,” he laughed.
“Oh, my! What have you done this time, Mrs. Chatman?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“It’s not what she’s done, it’s what she was about to do .”
“Oh, so what were you about to do ?”
“I wanted to surprise you guys by showing you my appreciation for all of your hard work. So, I stopped by Publix and grabbed a few things to throw on the grill.”
“You were going to grill?”
Mr. Chatman snickered before placing his hand over his mouth to contain the rest of his laughter.
“You know what!” Denise exclaimed. “I don’t have to take this treatment. I can grill.”
“Baby, nobody said you couldn’t grill. D wanted you to work on some kind of articles. He said you had some deadlines to meet. That’s all,” Mr. Chatman said while heading toward the break room.
“Come on now. You need to show me what all’s going on the grill and where the seasonings and stuff are.”
Denise shook her head.
“You have a good husband, Mrs. Chatman. He was looking out for your best interest.”
“I know. I just don’t want anybody down playing my skills. I’m not new to this, Keisha.”
“I believe you, Mrs. Chatman.”
“Baby, come on now! The grill is ready to go.”
“Hold all my calls for the next hour .”
“Yes, ma’am,” Keisha replied. This is pure comedy.
Denise walked into the break room. Mr. Chatman stood at the table, removing the contents from the bags.
“Are you cooking all of this?”
“Yes, sir. I have fourteen employees and every last one of them can eat.”
“Well, this is definitely