He gripped the arms of the leather guest chair. His palms felt slippery against the wood. He drew a deep breath. Then another. He caught and held the younger man’s olive eyes. “I want to ask your mother to marry me. But first, I’d like your blessing. You and your mother are very close. I don’t want to cause any friction between you.”
Ean’s eyes widened. A myriad of expressions shifted across his features: surprise, curiosity, humor. “I should’ve known you were old-fashioned.”
“What does that mean?” Tension knotted the muscles in Alonzo’s shoulders. He’d imagined a variety of reactions. This wasn’t one of them.
“It’s not a bad thing.” Ean held up one hand. “I just meant I shouldn’t be surprised you asked for my blessing.”
“I love your mother very much, Ean. She’s intelligent, caring. She has a big heart.”
“And she’s beautiful.”
“Yes, she is.” Images of Doreen swept through his memories: her flapper costume from the Halloween celebration, the dress she’d worn to church Sunday, the sweats she wore around the house, her cream negligee . . .
Dammit, am I blushing? He shifted in his seat again. “I would be the happiest man on the planet if Doreen agreed to be my wife.”
Ean sobered. “You’ve made my mother very happy, Alonzo. Like you said, that’s all that matters. Of course you have my blessing.”
“Thank you.” Relief made Alonzo light-headed.
“When are you going to propose?”
“I’m not sure yet.” One hurdle down, another to go. But the second was the biggest he’d ever faced. “I wanted to wait until after the election, when she’d have more time to relax and think about our future.”
“Good idea.” Ean nodded. “It’s been a week since the election. That should be enough time.”
“I never dreamed I’d have this chance. I want the proposal to be special.” Alonzo rose. His legs were shaky with relief.
Ean stood, too. “You’re setting the bar really high for Quincy, Jack, and me.”
“Megan, Ramona, and Audra are special ladies.”
“They are.” Ean offered Alonzo his hand. “I’m sure you’ll continue to make my mother very happy. But if you ever hurt her, I’ll find you.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about.”
Ean released Alonzo’s hand and stepped back. “Good luck, although you won’t need it.”
“Thanks.” Alonzo inclined his head, then turned to leave.
Actually, he could use all the luck he could get. What could he say or do to help Doreen realize he didn’t want to replace Paul? He wanted them to build a future of their own.
“What are you doing here?” Darius had opened his front door to find his father outside his apartment Thursday night.
“Is that any way to greet your father?” Simon seemed surprised by the lack of welcome.
“Seriously, what are you doing here?” In the four years since he’d been living in the apartment, Darius’s parents had never been to his home. He’d thought it was understood they never would. This was his Simon-and-Ethel-Free Zone.
“We should spend more time together.”
So now he’d have to watch his Cleveland Browns NFL team continue its losing tradition during the Thursday night game while Simon competed for his attention? Was there no threshold to the pain a Browns fan had to endure? Darius stood back to let his father in.
Simon followed the beige wall-to-wall carpet into the living room. He glanced at the mahogany coffee table and matching end tables, the black leather sofa and matching recliner, and the black entertainment center and bookcase.
“What’s for dinner?” Simon made himself comfortable in the recliner.
Darius squelched his resentment and locked the front door before joining his father in the living room. “I’ve already eaten.”
“What?” The older man checked his watch. “It’s only eight o’clock.”