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“I was in the neighborhood, dropping off Ciara,” I answered. “You?”
“No reason,” he said, though he looked toward the kitchen. Dad scowled.
“Well, let me get out of your hair, Dad,” I said. “I’ll talk to you later. And, you two, don’t forget—engagement party’s coming up soon. I’ll put the info in the group chat.”
“Boy, I’m not checking nobody’s group chat.” This from Dad. “Send me a physical invitation. Your other relatives, too. Sending important things via text, that’s what’s wrong with your generation. Don’t know how to send a proper invitation.”
John and I exchanged a look, each moving toward our destination. If we didn’t get out of there soon, we’d be trapped in one of Dad’s infamous lectures on What’s Wrong With This Generation—even though neither John nor I, nor any of my siblings, were in the generation he griped about.
“I’ll get you that invitation, Dad,” I said. I bumped fists with John. “See you later.”
They both waved, and I headed to my car.
I drove around town for a bit, unsure of how to fill my time. I made it a point not to bother my employees on the weekend, though I often went into the office on a Saturday. Still, I was in a mood to be lazy, so I didn’t head to the office. Instead, after landing at Hemingway’s only park to watch the sunset, I checked my texts.
Mack:Hey, have you talked to Ciara yet? Have you two decided on a date for the engagement party?
Harold: Got some updates for you—let me know when you’re free.
Isighed, not wanting to answer either of those texts but knowing I didn’t have a choice. I picked the lesser of two evils.
I video-called Mack; she picked up on the third ring. “Nice of you to call, Big Bro,” she said, tilting her head. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
I sucked my teeth. “Youtextedme,” I reminded her. “About the party. Remember?”
“Okay, so you have a date, then?”
I ducked my head, chastened. “No.”
“Then why did you call me?”
“I thought you and Ciara were talking about all that stuff!”
Now it was her turn to suck her teeth. “Man, I told her you’d be useless,” she said. “Look, I’ll call her and figure it all out since youcan’t even be bothered. I’ll let you know. Or maybe you could, I don’t know, talk to your future wife?” She glared at me.
“I don’t know why you saying it like I wasn’t just with her and don’t talk to her damn near every day,” I fussed. “We just have more pressing things to talk about than engagement parties.”
Mack’s eye roll could be felt along the whole East Coast. “Sure, whatever. Look, I’ll work out the details with my future sister-in-law.Wewill letyouknow.”
“That’s all I’m asking. See, was that so hard?”
Another eye roll. “Bye, Nathan.”
I blew her a kiss. “Love you.”
Though she pursed her lips, she grumbled, “Love you, too.”
I ended the call and put the phone in my lap, taking a moment before picking it back up and calling Harold—this time, without video.
He picked up with a low, “Sup, bro.”
“Hey. Why are you whispering?” I lowered my voice instinctually. “Where are you right now?”
“I’m at the library, doing some volunteering that Ava roped me into, after Mom ropedherinto it. Gotta stick together and all that. What’s up?”
“What’s with everyone asking me why I called when they reached out first?” I mused grumpily. “I’m returning your text but with a call. You said you had some updates for me.”
“Oh, yeah.” The background noise on his end faded away as if he had walked into a different room. His voice rose to regular volume. “It’s about Zeke.”
