“I’m not taking your money. I’ll get you some tickets. Just let me know how many you need.”
“I like this. Edison, good job dating a superstar. Free tickets are a perk I could get used to,” my father joked.
“So, are you two official?” My mother asked the question she’d been holding all evening.
“Umm …” I didn’t want to put twenty on ten if Fancy wasn’t in agreement.
“We haven’t exactly figured it out, but I think we want to be together.” She squeezed my hand. “I mean that’s what you want right?”
Was she dense? “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” When I stared into her mink eyes, the world blurred. It was just me and Fancy.Making goo goo eyes at a woman in front of my parents was uncharacteristic of me. I tended to play it cool no matter how infatuated I was. But with Fancy, being aloof wasn’t an option. She made me giggle. Can you imagine that? A grown six-foot two Black man giggling like a child. With her, there was so much to be happy about, it left me reeling.
Dial cleared her throat, and the fog lifted. “And how exactly does that work when you’re two thousand miles apart?
“Dial,” my mother chided.
My sister turned to Maple and said, “Honey can you go and set up the ice cream bar? You know how we like it.”
“All by myself?”
“Yep, you’re a big girl and I think you’re ready to be in charge of the ice cream station. You are now the Creamery Captain.”
Maple was beaming as she pulled back from the table.
“Don’t forget the sprinkles and napkins.” We all watched Maple make her way into the house.
“I thought this was an open discussion. I’m just trying to comprehend the logistics.” Dial propped her chin on her folded hands. “Didn’t you just break up with your boyfriend two minutes ago and now you expect us to believe you love Edison?”
“Dial per usual, you’re out of line,” I said.
“For asking questions?”
“For being rude.”
“I have to agree with Eddy. Francesca is our guest. This is a pleasant family dinner. No room for drama,” my mother said.
“Momma, let’s not pretend you don’t have the same questions. Francesca will be going home soon, so where does that leave Edison and thisrelationship?”
“This really isn’t the time or the place.” I rolled my eyes.
“Maybe you’re content to live in La La Land but someone needs to ask the grown-up questions.”
“I don’t really care what you believe. I don’t owe you anything, Dial.” Fancy wasn’t a shrinking violet, and she wasn’t going to be intimidated by my sister.
“That’s my brother you’re playing house with. So, I’m allowed to have an opinion.”
“No one is asking for your opinion. Feel however you want to feel but keep the commentary to yourself,” I huffed.
“Sounds like you don’t want me asking questions because you’re afraid of the answers.”
My father banged his hand on the table. “Enough.” His booming voice forced you to straighten your back. The gruff tone ended the conversation and was mom’s cue to ask Fancy to help her with the dessert.
With Fancy and my mother inside the house, I turned to Dial. “Are you out of your freaking mind?” I didn’t curse in front of my parents, and I never would.
“You two need to work your differences out.” Our father stood. “No dessert until you do.” He went into the house, leaving me and Dial at the porch dining table alone. We looked everywhere but at one another. The sun was starting to set and the heat of the day had burned off. I nursed my lemonade, not wanting to speak first but if I waited for my sister, the sun would rise and set again before she uttered a word.
“What are we eight? No dessert for you,” I mumbled.
“You’re acting like a child.”
