AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s the whole point,” his youngest son replied. “Maybe we should try that one on for size the next time.”
“Oh, so you two are conspiring against your father’s prayer?” Shareef Sr. asked.
“Not conspiring,” Mustapha corrected, “just suggesting.”
“Oh, so you’re in on it, too?” Their father laughed.
“Slightly,” Mustapha agreed.
“I thought it was a beautiful prayer,” Zsanine added as the laughter from her brothers died down.
“You would,” Brigham quipped. “Daddy’s princess.”
“And the problem with that is what?” Zsanine flipped.
“Absolutely nothing,” her father commented.
“Of course, you wouldn’t,” Brigham seconded.
“As if you three aren’t mom’s little kings,” Zsanine rebuffed.
They didn’t have a witty comeback for that one. They didn’t need to because Zsa Zsa spoke for all of them.
“That they are,” she smiled.
“See?” Zsanine smiled. “So, I don’t know what the hang-up is with my status.”
“Whatever,” Shareef II grinned. “Change of subject. Mom, you have outdone yourself with dinner this time. Everything tastes amazing.”
“Brownie points,” Zsanine mumbled under her breath.
“Thank you, son,” Zsa Zsa smiled, playfully cutting her eyes at Zsanine.
“Just teasing, mom. As always, dinner is wonderful,” Zsanine smiled.
It was so natural for her family to fall right back into familial roles as if no time had passed. They had good-natured fun, sometimes at each other’s expense, but the laughs and the genuine love they shared made it all worthwhile.
“So, does anyone have any news they’d like to share?” Zsa Zsa asked as the family moved from dinner to dessert.
Instantly, Zsanine felt like that was a loaded question, even though similar questions were raised whenever the family got together. No one readily responded to their mother’s commentary. The boys seemed much more interested in the homemade peach cobbler with ice cream and caramel drizzle to answer her question. Zsanine mimicked their behavior, lowering her eyes and focusing on the food in front of her. She had some newness to talk about but not to her family. Her brothers would never have it. They were protective to the tenth power. No man was ever good enough. They didn’t stutter nor stammer when it came to their little sister and a relationship.
Then, just when Zsanine thought her mom might move on to another topic since no one was responding, her mother asked the question again, this time much more directed and specific.
“Zsanine, what’s been going on with you? Is there anything you’d like to share with the family?”
A deer in headlights doesn’t even begin to describe how Zsanine felt in that moment. The spoon in her hand froze in midair. Zsanine’s eyes widened even though her head was lowered. She couldn’t move nor think fast enough to avoid the very moment she was horrifically experiencing. She could have said no, tried to play it off, but that wasn’t how she responded. Then, because she was quiet for what seemed like an eternity, Zsanine felt the eyes of her entire family on her, waiting for her to answer.
Then it got worse.
“Sis, what’s up?” Shareef II inquired.
Zsanine knew then that she had to move and say something, or her other brothers would stockpile on top of what had already been asked.
“I don’t have anything new to share,” she stammered, finally lifting her eyes to meet her family’s. “Business is going well. That’s something, I guess.”
“Glad to hear business is going so well,” Shareef Sr. said proudly. He wasn’t attuned to what Zsa Zsa was referencing, which was a great relief to his daughter.
“Thanks, daddy.”
