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“I met Oana after your last birthday party when I was drunk from your butter-pecan moonshine.”
OG Peepaw stops eyeballing Oana and smiles nostalgic-like. “On the first night I clawed my way into Coretta’s pants, we got drunk on peppermint moonshine. She was always a sucker for that flavor.”
Oana and I share a grin as he shuffles off to find his former wife-current bang partner.
“I’m going to love you until I’m old like him,” I promise Oana as we slow dance in the evening to White Lion playing on the overhead sound system.
“Even when you get on my nerves, and Edith swears you will one day, I won’t forget how you changed my life.”
“Iamyour hero,” I say, spinning Oana until she laughs. “And you are my dream girl. My life was okay until I met you. Once I realized I could have more, I wasn’t satisfied until we were together again. Now, I’m never letting you go.”
Oana wraps her arms around me and sighs. I think about how we were strangers only weeks ago. I’d mostly given up on finding my mystery dream girl. She had gotten the idea that her only future was living as a hermit.
Now, we’re building a life together. I know Oana has a lot to learn about herself and the world outside her church. Yet, she trusts me to guide and protect her.
And for the first time in my life, I refuse to hide in the background. For my dream girl, I’m willing to be the man in charge.
OANA, AKA ACCEPTING A DIFFERENT KIND OF FREEDOM
OG Peepaw’s birthdayparty is momentous for Anouk and me. I get to feel part of the homestead family and meet the rest of its members. I’m even invited to join the women when they dance in front of the Trinity Church this Sunday.
Anouk isn’t as comfortable around the people our age. She feels insecure with her new clothes and haircut. She’s always wanted nothing more than to disappear. Maybe that’s why she bonds easily with Coretta. The old woman can’t see her, and she barely shuts up long enough for Anouk to say anything.
Every time Ike and I loop past them, the women are in the same position. I know my sister well enough to see past her bland expression. She’s actually enjoying herself as Coretta tells wild stories about moonshine, fucking, and brawls with bowling alley whores. Throughout the party, Anouk gets Coretta drink refills.
“Uh-oh,” Ike warns me at one point. “OG Meemaw is going to con your sister into being her newest unhappy assistant.”
As usual, Ike isn’t wrong. The next morning, after breakfast, while Ike rides with his dad, brother, and cousins around town, Anouk explains how she wants to help Coretta around the woman’s house.
“I think I’d be better at that than working at the homestead’s pot shop. You know I’m not good at talking to strangers.”
“Are you sure you want a job right away?”
Anouk looks at me and sighs. “I’m nervous since coming here.”
“Why? Are you missing home?”
