The Caterer

Chapter 14

D ELANY CALLED NADIA when he got outside of D.C., who yelled to Helene that her father was coming and to get a move on. Delany hung up the phone and looked out the window, ready for the long weekend. He was getting Helene a day early, allowing Nadia to go to Charleston with the girls for the Fourth.

They grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, Delany one year ahead of her. With three brothers, Nadia knew how to hold her own. At fourteen, she walked into high school with confidence beyond her age and dared anyone to look at her wrong. For some reason, she set her sights on him. Delany was pudding. They started sleeping together his junior year. He felt ten feet tall with a girl like that on his arm. Nadia made sure every other girl knew better than to try anything. He overlooked her possessive nature because, damn, she was hot and at the time, the sex was pretty good.

Nadia talked about taking the ride with him, Gucci bags and vacations at the Four Seasons. He always sensed it was a high school thing. They broke up after his graduation. He went to UMD and dated other women, coming to understand what he wanted, the traits he held as important. She went to Bowie State, and they lost touch.

One day he ran into her at his favorite take out place in Anacostia. She asked if they could get lunch. There, she said she was getting older and wanted a child. If Delany wanted nothing to do with them, that was okay. She wasn’t a gold digger. She wanted a baby, but not from some random stranger at a sperm bank. Given their history, he agreed. She didn’t want to mess with in vitro, the pills, and the doctors. They slept together on and off for a year before she got pregnant. She played it off as they were dating to the press, not wanting to damage his reputation or give other women ideas.

At the time, Delany thought he would walk away. Then he got to thinking about how he never knew his father, the pain and questions that gave him. Nadia sent him pictures every now and again, the baby with bows in her hair and wearing frilly dresses. Not Delany’s preference, but Nadia always was a bit over-the-top. He looked at his little girl and realized he couldn’t just be the sperm donor. He took Nadia out to lunch and asked if he could be there for Helene. Nadia smiled.

“Of course, Bulldog.” She put her hand on his wrist. “Your little girl is going to love you.”

“How was Olive’s wedding?” Nadia opened the door, her brown hair pulled into a messy ponytail. Delany couldn’t remember ever seeing her square face without makeup. Not that she needed it with her big brown eyes and pouty lips. She had an ideal form, Nadia’s version of religion was her time at the gym. He watched men fall over themselves to get her whatever she asked for. Some days, Delany fell into that group. Nadia commanded any room she entered. She knew her influence and scanned her surroundings for any potential threats. She was almost impossible to get close to. He prayed cynicism was not genetic, wanting his daughter to see the good in others.

“It was fine. How was your trip?” He stepped into the rowhouse, staying just inside the front door.

“Don’t change the subject. Why wasn’t I invited?”

“You were out of town.” Delany glanced toward the stairs and called for Helene.

“Stay for a drink.” She smiled playfully.

“I don’t want Bear up that late.”

Nadia laughed. “The implication was you’d stay here. You still that oblivious?”

“That was a long time ago.” He cleared his throat.

“About seven years, if time serves me right.” She called for Helene and walked to the back part of the house. His daughter came down the stairs, lugging a gym bag.

“How long are you planning on staying?” Delany took it from her, guessing she packed more than a few books.

“I want to figure out how to make that Cuban tabbouleh.”

“Who’s the chef?” Nadia came back with a glass of red wine. “Helene can’t stop raving about this girl’s food. Wants to cut her hair short now.”

Delany tried to play it off, not needing Nadia to get worked up over nothing. “Do you have cookbooks in here, Bear?”

Helene nodded. Delany knelt and started to go through the bag.

“Daddy!”

“I have cookbooks, and this won’t tell you. It’s by taste, remember?”

Helene sighed overdramatically. Delany told her to take the books back to where they went. Not that it would matter, the chaotic state of Nadia’s rowhouse never seemed to change.

“She must be cute.” Nadia took a drink. “What’s the plan— use Helene to get a private lesson?” She tsked. “She only wants your money. You know how many gold diggers would be around if not for me?”

“Between you and Bobbie I am more than protected.” He stood and called for Helene to hurry up.

Nadia glared. “Don’t trust outsiders, Bulldog, they only want one thing. I’m serious about that drink.” She batted her eyes. Helene came back and Delany opened the door, not bothering with a goodbye. He waited while Helene climbed into her seat. Even without turning around, he knew Nadia would be stalking them from the window. He needed to be careful. His daughter could be a little parrot, and now Nadia had an inkling something might be going on. She could sense another woman a thousand feet away. Not that she had any claim to things. He gave Nadia their daughter, that was supposed to be it. He loved Helene. Some days, he wished there wasn’t a tie back to his ex.

“Daddy,” Helene said after Delany buckled her in. He paused leaning out of the car. “I thought the chef was nice. I think you should go for it.”

“Thanks, Bear.” He kissed her forehead. “I think she’s just a friend.”

Helene giggled. She didn’t believe him either. Great. He closed the door and got into the front seat. One thing at a time.