Chapter 10

10

E njell

Grandma's mood swings were happening more frequently. After her baseline assessment, we learned she was in stage four of dementia. Hearing that truth broke my heart a little because I knew what would happen as she continued to decline. There would be no timeframe, and I prayed she'd stay in stages four and five for as long as possible. She used to make big pots of chicken and noodles as soon as the weather started to turn. Every fall, I looked forward to that, her chili, and all her soups and stews.

This evening, I decided to make a pot of chicken and noodles. From the first bite, it was like a hug in a bowl. She'd come to join me and my parents and sister for dinner, but she was so snappy she ended up wanting to go back home. It took a couple of hours there, but eventually, she snapped out of it. Daddy decided to spend the night there, and Malay and I went back home.

Before I did, Mama told me, "Have you given any thought to entering the chili competition at the carnival?"

"I haven't heard about it."

"They announced it this past weekend. I think it's like three or four rounds and the winner gets a hundred thousand dollars. That's how they're going to close out the carnival this year."

I honestly didn't need any more details. Since I was in need of money, I was willing to give it a try. If I won, I could use that money to get caught up in bills and potentially open my business. That would be the foundation for me to start a YouTube channel and eventually create my own cookbook and seasoning line. Up until now, I didn't want to allow myself to believe that dream was possible, but if I had a large sum of money to work with, it would definitely be possible.

"How do I sign up?"

"I think you can only do it at the carnival. There is a hundred-dollar registration fee, but it's open to everyone."

"Okay, I think I'm going to do it."

"Good! With Mama Deb's chili recipe and your modifications, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll win."

I gave her a hug before heading outside to my car. God… I needed her to be right about this.

"This makes things awkward."

At the sound of Dejvi's voice, I turned and smiled. He looked good as always, but today, he was dressed more professionally than usual. The black suit he wore made my mouth water. My mind immediately went back to two nights ago when he abruptly left my bed. We'd texted since then, but I hadn't heard his voice, and I didn't have the mental capacity to worry too much about what that was about. It didn't feel like he'd ghosted me or lost interest, more like he had something going on and wasn't ready to be around me just yet. If anyone understood that, I did.

"You're signing up too?" I asked, looking back at the line in front of me that didn't seem like it was moving. There were two people seated behind the six-inch table. Ten people waited in front of me to sign up for the chili competition, and I was hoping there hadn't been long lines like this for the past week. Otherwise, the competition was probably going to be stiff.

"Yeah. Another thing my grandma wanted me to do. Plus, you know chili cook-offs and firefighters are kind of synonymous. I've been chosen to represent my station because I make the best chili."

"Yeah?" He nodded and squeezed the back of his neck before going into his pocket. Dejvi pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. After looking it over briefly, he handed it to me. As soon as I saw what was written on the top—Granny O's Bucket List—my head shook, and I tried to give it back to him. "I can't read this, Dejvi. This is too sacred of a thing."

"Nah." His Adam's apple bobbed and eyes glossed over as he pushed it back in my direction. "I want to share that with you. It's… a list of things she'd wanted me to do over the years that I never got around to doing while she was here."

"And you want to focus on them now that she's away?"

My own eyes watered as I took in the weight of what he'd decided to do. Knowing Grandma Debra was suffering from the same syndrome made this list matter even more to me. If anyone could understand how I was feeling because of her, it would be him. I'd been so frustrated lately because I wasn't allowed to be as vocal and hands on with her planning and care as I wanted to be.

My dad was all ears for my advice; it was his bitter ass sister who was making things difficult. In her attempt to control Grandma's care, it felt like it was taking her forever to make decisions. Or maybe it was just my impatience. Either way, I hoped Daddy could talk some sense into his sister so we could speed this process up. I understood them wanting to respect Grandma's independence, but I needed them to understand how important it was that she receive the proper security and care.

Swallowing back my emotions, I looked the list over.

"Open my photography studio," I read aloud with a smile. "Travel to Italy, where she fell in love. Enter and win a chili contest. Learn how to play the piano. Finish the quilt she was working on and wanted her grandkids to help with. Make a difference in someone's life. Restore her home and replant her garden." My hands trembled and eyes watered. "Get married and have at least three grandkids. Raise them the way she and my parents raised me."

Licking the corner of my mouth, I gave him back the list. As much as this contest meant to me, I wouldn't even mind if the title as winner was given to him. Still, I planned to give the competition my all.

"That's… a beautiful list, bae. I hope you're able to do everything on it."

With a long sigh, he folded the paper and put it back in his pocket. "Me too."

"Is that why I haven't heard your voice or seen you? You go back to work tomorrow, don't you?"

"Partly, and I do. The list itself isn't the reason. Something that was on it is."

"Oh. Well… if the both of us being in this competition is going to be an issue, maybe we should stop seeing each other. I've been enjoying getting to know you, but winning this will make my life a hell of a lot easier. So if losing to me is gonna—"

"Whoa, hold on now." His hands lifted as he laughed quietly. "Why are you so sure you're going to win?"

"I mean… come on, Dejvi. You've said it yourself that I'm a great cook."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you're going to win. I have just as much of a chance to win this as you do. Hell, even more, because I'm doing it for my granny."

"Maybe, but I'm doing it for myself. That money is the key to me getting out of the fucked-up situation Gino put me in and starting my business. So… I'm not going to take it easy on you or any of the other contestants."

Our eyes remained locked for a while before he released a low hum and took a step back from me.

"May the best chili win then."

We shook hands, and he stepped over to the other line. It tickled me, and I laughed even harder when he shot me a wink with that sexy smile. I didn't know if what we had was strong enough for us to not let this competition get between us. Whether it did or didn't, I had to win, and perfecting Grandma's recipe would be my new priority.