But “great” is safer
is what friends say.
Well, come all the way on in, dear,
Mama Alice says to Lyric.
Let’s get some pictures of you two
real quickI know you’ve got
dinner reservations
and plus, your friends are waiting.
I motion for Lyric to follow me.
Then we standawkwardly
as Mom and Mama Alice fuss
and tell us to scoot closer.
We do, get closer
but I don’t put my hand
around her waist like I want to.
Instead, we kind of lean into one
anotherhands at our sides
as Mom snaps away.
OK, OK. That’s enough!
I say.We have to go. Bye, Moms!
Lyric and I step out
into the clear, cold air.
There’s an almost-full moon
beaming down on us as we
jump into the back seat of Kiana’s car
and ride away into the night.
Dinner at Red Lobster is low-key but enjoyable.
Lyric sits next to me in the booth
Holden and Kiana across from us
her bare shoulder pressing lightly
