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IKE, AKA INTOLERANT OF BORING STORIES
I’m a little worriedthat Anouk will suck up all of Oana’s time and attention. Back at the hotel, I had my dream girl to myself. At the homestead, I’m forced to share her with other people. Now, I’ve got my greatest competition.
Anouk isn’t really what I expected. She’s awkward in all social situations, overly submissive, and disappears into the background whenever more than four people share a space.
Every time I look at her, she’s hiding behind her dark brown hair, even after she gets a simple shoulder-length cut. I also notice how she sticks to wearing jeans and cleavage-hiding clothes, unlike Oana, who loves to run around in shorts and tank tops.
I guess I expected Anouk to be a secret hellion like her sister. Every day, Oana gets wilder and more confident. Just last night, she got into the water pistol mix, joining Edith against Tuesday and Roxie. They ran around the yard, playing some version of tag. I didn’t think to ask any questions when simply watching the show felt easier.
Anouk doesn’t seem comfortable with such antics. She only really talks to Oana, Edith, Ma-Journey, and me. She’s even intimidated by my pa who’s super chill.
I’m worried she’ll spend OG Peepaw’s birthday party hiding from the arriving family. Diving for safety behind me, she’s quickly intimidated by the out-of-towners. However, she is willing to join Oana and me when OG Meemaw arrives.
Coretta Earlham is driven to the event by Ma-Journey and Edith since her latest caregiver recently quit.
“What kind of world do we live in when a blind old woman can’t get any respect?” Coretta announces to no one in particular.
Ma-Journey and Edith share an eye roll before leaving her in a chair on Auntie-Poppy’s back deck. My great-grandmother hides behind thick sunglasses and under a hat protecting her thinning white hair. Even knowing she’s blind, I always worry she’s faking and might attack me.
“Meemaw,” I say and creep closer. “It’s your grandson, Ike. I’m the one who didn’t pee on you when I was little.”
Nearby with Betty, Otto snorts. “I peed on her on purpose.”
“Is that the devil child?” OG Meemaw snarls and waves around her cane to try to hit him.
I slap the cane away to avoid Oana getting smacked in the face. While my woman backs up and remains out of reach, I dare to inch closer.
“I’m getting married, Meemaw,” I say in a soft voice, like I’m talking to a child or an easily triggered mental patient.
“Is she a whore?”
“Only with me.”
OG Meemaw reaches out for my face. Relenting to my great-grandson duties, I lean close enough for her to pat my cheek.
“That’s the best kind of whore,” she says in a warm voice. “You hold onto her tight, boy.”
“Thanks, Meemaw.”
After introducing Oana and Anouk to Coretta, my great-grandmother starts discussing her feet. That’s when I take my woman’s hand and make a run for it.
