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“How’s my favorite niece and nephew?” Kemara asked as Eva then Kevin ran at her full speed.
Her question always got a response like…we’re your only niece and nephew, but it didn’t stop Kemara from saying it. Then, she walked around the table and looked at me with a raised eyebrow, silently asking the question is everything alright?
I smiled, nodded, and sat down at the table. Dinner was delicious. Kemara made her world-famous spaghetti bake with garlic rolls and sweet tea. Kevin talked about his weekend, video games, and sports. Eva added in a few things about boys.
That was the first time Eva had mentioned a boy she liked. I was shocked and scared as I listened to her. I didn’t want to think about my little girl having a boyfriend.
“We’re going to have to talk about this when we get home, young lady,” I said.
“Mom,” she whined. “He’s just my friend.”
“We’ll talk about it later,” I said.
“Oh, give my niece a break. She’s a good girl, so we know she won’t do anything she’s not supposed to do, right?” Kemara asked Eva.
“I won’t, Auntie,” Eva said in a soft tone.
For the rest of the dinner, I silently ate, only adding a few responses when Kemara or Channing asked me a question. They were anxious about having a child of their own, so they enjoyed every moment spent with Eva and Kevin.
When we were done eating, I made the point to help Kemara with the dishes. Channing agreed to sit with the kids while we chatted; however, two minutes into washing dishes, Kevin came barging into the kitchen full speed ahead.
“Eva is stealing the TV again,” he yelled.
“Kevin, we won’t be here long. Can’t you just play your DS until we get home?” I asked.
“But there’s this new Pokémon on, and everyone talked about it at school. If I don’t watch it, I’ll be the laughingstock of the whole school.”
“Laughingstock, boy—” I stopped myself from laughing because the look on Kevin’s face was priceless.
“Follow me, little man,” Kemara said, leading him out of the kitchen, and they headed up the stairs to the other TV room.
I was finished with the dishes when she came back five minutes later. “You’re going to make a great mother, you know?” I told her.
“Just because I took him to the other TV? Believe me, when Channing is watching TV, I’m stuck with going upstairs, so I understand his plight.” She chuckled.
“You’ll get what I’m saying one day. Kids will work your nerves. It takes a special person with patience to do what you just did, as small as it seems.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t wait.”
“Me either. I’m ready to be Auntie Meka.”
Kemara smiled as she took off her apron that was coming loose. She eyed me expectantly. “Back to what you were saying before I left out.”
“Kemara, what I’m going to say to you, you might not want to hear,” I started.
She began wiping the counters down. “Just what every sister wants to hear at the start of a conversation. I’ll hold back any comments until I hear what’s going on. So…what is it?”
I started explaining what was on my mind. The minute I mentioned Jeb and me ending up in bed, she dropped the towel, and her piercing brown eyes cut me sharply.
“It was a mistake. I was lonely that night and needed something, but it can never happen again. He’s a dog, and I don’t need another one in my life.” I peeked out the kitchen to make sure Channing wasn’t eavesdropping.
Kemara stood frozen. The beautiful skin of her golden cheeks had blushed to a light rose pink.
“Don’t just stand there, sis. I need advice. I don’t know why I have these thoughts that maybe something more could happen between us.” I sighed. “I’m just so confused. Did you have moments like this with Channing? How did you know what to do?”
Kemara grabbed my hand and pulled me over to take a seat at the kitchen table. “As much as I would like to say I have never felt like this about Channing, oh boy…did I ever,” she said.
Finally, I didn’t feel like a silly big sister that couldn’t get a grip on life.
