SPREAD THIN [ABOOGIE] - CURRENTLY EDITING

[CHAPTER TWO] "Fly on their black walls."

"Mariah Russell!" Mariah's family cheered as she walked across stage. After spending four more months doing her hands on hours she was finished. It took 3 and a half years of studying and practicing cosmetics to achieve her associates in cosmetology. She wanted to be certified in both hair and facial and most importantly nails.

Deandre was proud of her. And he was most of all, happy for her success. He made sure to have someone at the house early before the ceremony to do her hair and makeup. He just wanted her to relax. He booked a table at a restaurant for them and their extended families for after the ceremony. This was an opportunity for everyone to see baby Zein.

They were all settled down at a soul food bistro in town. Mariah's sister and mom were discussing going on a cruise for Christmas. Zein would be a little older so she could also go. Deandre caught wind of Mariah agreeing to help with planning and he was offended. He didn't see how their honeymoon would be any different but she's yet to make a decision on anything to do with the wedding. He knew he had to marry her soon before she started to get cold feet.

Michaela noticed Deandre being a little quiet so she sent Mariah a text. When Michaela realized Mariah wasn't paying any attention she started sending her slight hand gestures. Mariah noticed her sister and grabbed her phone from her purse.

y'all fighting?

- no, why would you ask that?

Mariah gave her sister a strange look before looking back down at her phone.

he looks mad..?

Mariah put her phone down and turned to Deandre. "He does look mad." Mariah leaned towards him and whispered, "You wanna to talk outside?"

"Nah everything's cool." He put his arm around her chair and sat back. They hadn't been arguing lately so she knew she must've said something to make him mad. But she couldn't figure out what it was. Now she was anxious to get home. After a while the dinner was over and they all said their goodbyes. Deandre was strapping Zein into her car seat while Mariah walked with her sister.

"What you did to that man girl? He didn't say nothing all night."

"I don't know but I know I'm about to hear it." Mariah was preparing for a fight on the way home. Deandre was fuming. He thought he was the type to play it cool when he's upset but he wasn't. You could always tell when he's holding something in.

On the way home nobody said anything. Zein was sleeping and Mariah was pumping milk. Deandre had one of his beats playing lowly.

"You think I should give her a wipe off before I lay her down?" Mariah asked as she looked at him for the first time since they got in the car.

"Nah just let her rest, she'll wake up on her own."

He didn't say anything else.

Deandre helped her into the house then he disappeared. Mariah changed her diaper and gave her another warm bottle before rocking her back to sleep. She found Deandre laying in the bed listening to some beats.

"The restaurant was nice right?"

"Yeah it was cool." Mariah stripped out of her clothes and walked over to his side of the bed and leaned on his leg. "Are you gonna talk to me about what's bothering you now?" He just stared at her.

"I don't think you want to get married."

"How does us getting married have anything to do with tonight? I didn't say anything about us getting married."

"Exactly. You planning a cruise but not our wedding."

"I told you once I find a salon I'll start planning the wedding Deandre."