The Upward Ripple

“True that,” Cynthia agreed. “We wanted to tell you but… life got in the way and before everything got out of control and the media published everything about our lives, we just wanted to have you two know first. So, we kept the secret for as long as possible.”

“You can’t even believe to what lengths Cynthia went to just to keep the secret safe. She hardly ever wore the ring outdoors.” Nate laughed.

“Please, I did wear it just on my right hand,” Cynthia defended herself.

“Well, congratulations, guys. I don’t think there is anyone happier for the two of you than Deloris and I are,” Leon said, smiling. “And Cynthia, this dinner was amazing.”

“Thank my grandmother for that. The curry was her recipe as is dessert. Peach cobbler,” Cynthia said proudly.

Leon rubbed his tummy.

“Oh, I love me some cobbler,” he said.

“Well, you are in for a treat,” Nate said in a soft voice. “Cynthia made me her grandmother’s peach cobbler once and I have never had better.”

Leon looked at Deloris and then shrugged.

“Well, then I can hardly wait.”

There was a proud smile on Cynthia’s face.

“Why don’t you guys go on to the living room? Deloris, would you help me with the dishes?”

Deloris nodded as she pushed her chair back.

“Sure.”

They cleared the plates on the table as Leon and Nate walked to the living room. Cynthia had an ulterior motive to keeping Deloris to herself and she was trying to master the courage to s peak as they cleared the table.

“Can I ask you something?” Cynthia asked as Deloris loaded the dishwasher.

“Sure. Anything.”

Cynthia took a few bowls from the cabinet and put them down on the counter. Cynthia was sure that Deloris could sense her discomfort.

“Cynthia, what’s wrong?” Deloris asked as she looked at Cynthia.

“I don’t know how to ask this,” Cynthia said in a soft voice. Her cheeks were flushed, and her palms were sweaty.

“What are you talking about?” Deloris’ interest was piqued even more.

“You and Leon, how long did it take before you… you know,” Cynthia finally said.

“Before we… what?”

“Before you became intimate.”

Deloris raised an eyebrow over the other.

“What?” she asked, surprised.

“Please don’t make me repeat it.”

Deloris grinned as she shook her head.

“I won’t. it is just that I am surprised you want to talk about that considering you and Nate have been living under the same roof for as long as I have known you.”

Cynthia’s cheeks grew even hotter. She walked to the refrigerator and got a tub of vanilla ice cream from the freezer.

“Wait, are you trying to tell me that you and Nate have never…” Deloris’ voice trailed off as she looked at Cynthia who was shaking her head, making Deloris even more interested. “Seriously?”

“Never.”

Deloris shook her head.

“How?” she asked.

“Well, it is rather simple. “We have different bedrooms and the few times that we have slept in the same bed, we have never gone past making out.”

“Making out?” Deloris stifled a laugh. “Are you in high school?”

“Well, I don’t know what to call it. I mean, the man has never even seen me naked,” Cynthia admitted, and Deloris crossed her arms over her chest.

“Is everything okay?” she asked. “Or could it be that you have never tried it?” She frowned. “It is okay if you have been saving yourself you know.”

Cynthia exhaled loudly.

“I wish,” she said as she began slicing the pie. “Let’s just say… I’m scared.”

Deloris shrugged.

“Scared about what? It is one of the most natural things in the world.”

“Well, I have never really known the gentle and loving nature of something so natural. The few times that I have… been intimate, it was harsh and forced and… “her voice trailed off and Deloris looked at her as she served the cobbler into the bowls. “I love Nate. I really do but I am scared that I will disappoint him when time comes.”

“Wow,” Deloris said before she took an ice cream scoop and served the ice cream over the pie. “Wait here. This needs a more… intimate setting.”

Cynthia walked to the living room and handed the two men their dessert before she walked back to the kitchen. Deloris took a fork and got started on her own dessert all the while taking the time to get the right words to say to Cynthia.

“Will you say something, Dee? Please! This silence is driving me insane,” Cynthia hissed.

Deloris shrugged.

“I don’t know how to say this without sounding insensitive.”

“Just say it, already,” Cynthia begged.

“Well, technically, Nate will be your first.” Deloris started.

“And last,” Cynthia chimed in, smiling.

 “Of course,” Deloris smiled at her. “I feel terrible about your previous… experiences. But let me tell you this, it is different when you have someone you love. Someone who loves you back.”

Cynthia looked at Nate and took a long, deep breath.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“If he was anything like the men who hurt you, don’t you think he would have taken advantage of you by now?” Deloris asked. “Don’t you think that he would have taken you in any and every way known to man just to assert his dominance over you?”

Cynthia bit her lower lip and felt a tear rolling down her cheek. Deloris was right. Nate had more than enough opportunities to take her. To have her but he had been patient with her. As patient with her as was humanly possible.

“We all have that one person who God sets aside for us and despite what happens, the two of you will always find your way to each other no matter what life throws at you,” Deloris said as Cynthia quickly wiped off the tear. “Oh, honey,” Deloris said as she took Cynthia’s hand in hers.

“I only ever had one other person in my corner. My grandmother,” Cynthia started. “When she died, I was sure I was going to be all alone.”

“And now?”

Cynthia shrugged.

“I think my grandmother’s watching over me and that she has sent you as my guardian angel”

Deloris smiled and then pulled Cynthia in for a hug.

“You can count on me. For anything,” she said in a whisper.

“Really?” Cynthia asked and Deloris nodded.

“Of course.”

“In that case, maybe you would consider being my maid of honor?” Cynthia asked and Deloris’ eyes grew wide.

“Of course,”

Deloris threw her arms around Cynthia again as the two women giggled catching the attention of the men.

“What do you think those two are on about?” Nate asked.

“Who knows? Maybe your girl just asked my girl to be her maid of honor?” Leon said, hoping that the hint was not so loud.

“Dude, you are going to take this from me, aren’t you?” Nate asked and Leon shrugged.

“Honestly, I was not so sure you were ever going to ask. So, I kind of have to pry it out of you. Plus, this is the only opportunity I have to find out if you have another best friend.”

Nate shook his head and forced out laugh.

“Fine. Leon Blair, how would you like to be my best man?” he asked, and Leon dramatically put a hand on his chest.

“Oh my… this is so sudden,” he said in a mocking voice.

“Dude, this would be a good time to remind you that I do have armed guards outside my door and I also hold a concealed carry permit.”

Leon grinned.

“It would be an honor and a pleasure.”