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“We meet every now and then.”
“When are you going to introduce me?” She touches the tip of her lips with a finger and drags it down. “I want to ask her some questions.”
I cringe. “Now isn’t really a good time.”
“Why?”
“She just had a new baby,” I sign. “And something seems to be going on with her.”
Mom collapses into a bar stool. “Who? Vanya Beckford?”
I nod.
“That poor girl. People just won’t leave her alone.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was another article about her yesterday.”
Both Yaya and I tense up.
“What did it say?” Dad eats his chips casually.
“They say she’s getting rid of her baby weight too quickly. They even have scientific evidence saying she should be weighing a lot more after giving birth.” Mom gestures, “People think she’s extreme dieting.”
Yaya’s expression turns stormy. Her hands move at warp speed. “People always have things to say when they know nothing about someone. Why can’t they leave her alone?”
“Exactly!” I hiss.
“If being a celebrity means having people care so much about my weight, then I’m good.” Dad pats his belly. “I’d want these idiots to come and judgeme. I’d tell them all about themselves.”
“Vanya can’t argue with them,” I sign. “Or it’ll hurt her business.”
Yaya chews thoughtfully. “Maybe now isn’t a good time to introduce me to her.”
“I’ll talk to her. I know she wants to meet you,” I sign. “She just hasn’t had the time.”
Satisfied, my sister returns her attention to the sandwich and takes a big chomp. She normally eats a ton when she comes home.
Mom signs, “Deej, is your new job with Vanya Beckford?”
“No, I’m working for the Sazukis.”
“Sazuki?” Dad pops another chip into his mouth. “Why does that name sound so familiar?”
Yaya signs, “Isn’t that a car?”
“You’re thinkingSuzuki. These are theSa-zukis. They’re a super famous family who’ve been making traditional music for decades.”
“I’ve never heard of them,” she signs.
“And you probably never will. They live in the shadows, but they’ve sold more albums than all the biggest pop stars combined. And they did it without touring or going on television.”
“Maybe it’s money laundering?” Yaya signs.
“Are they part of the mafia?” Dad adds.
“No, they’re not.” My eyebrows crash together. “They’re incredibly talented and shrewd business people.”
