“Well, the party’s being thrown for a hometown celebrity, so I’m guessing that some of these extra people probably invited themselves.”
“Oh right, I didn’t consider the whole celebrity factor.” I use air quotes. “I guess that’s why Kyle went all out and hired a deejay?”
“Nah,” Tre chuckles. “She’s doing it for free. She just wanted an excuse to meet the hometown celebrity.”
“Of course,” I laugh with him, relieved that I had it all wrong. “I should have guessed.”
I notice a shift in the atmosphere as I finish arranging the platter of wings on the round kitchen table. It’s as if something or someone has entered the space and sucked all the oxygen out of it, exactly like that scene inPride and Prejudicewhen Darcy and Bingley first enter the town’s local dance and everyone stops in their tracks. I even hear a female voice squeal and then another one quickly ordering her to be quiet.
Brick must be here.
Brick
“You made it!”A woman with long, lithe legs runs to greet me eagerly. It’s Dena, the bride-to-be, and one of my oldest friends from the neighborhood. She has the same face, same exuberance, but just a different hairdo.
“Hey, Dee Dee.” A nickname we all used to call her in school, short for another nickname the cheer squad gave her, Dena Delight. I give her a peck on the cheek. “You look great.”
“No one has called me Dee Dee since our senior year of high school.” She smiles brightly.
Kyle, Dena and I all grew up together and attended the same schools ever since we were elementary aged. While Kyle definitely did his dirt with other girls in high school, I knew he’d eventually settle down and end up with Dena. He’s always loved her and they’re a perfect match.
“Well, you’ll always be Dee Dee to me,” I say as she returns my kiss with one of her own as some of the partygoers stare quietly at us. “Where’s the groom?”
“Here!” Kyle runs up behind be and yanks me playfully around the neck like he often did when we played football in school. “And you better take your hands off my woman.”
We give each other a powerful bear hug as we laugh. It’s so good to see him.
“I can’t believe you’re marrying this guy, Dee Dee.” I say jovially, so glad to be back home amongst real friends that have nothing to do with football or fame.
“It is kind of surreal,” she replies as a few of the guests dance in the middle of the living room. “Brick, I hope it’s not weird that this turned out a little bigger than we were expecting? You know your guy here wanted to go all out for you,” Dena says.
“No, it’s fine.” I smile. “Is the rest of the bridal party here? Anyone I should meet before the big day?”
“Well, there’s just you and Kaya standing up for me and Dena’s sister standing with her. You met her before,” Kyle assures me.
“Yeah, her name’s Felicia. She’s sitting over there.” Dena points to a woman who looks like her twin, sitting cross-legged in a chair, munching on a plate of carrots and celery.
“Oh, right, I remember her.”
“Listen, are you hungry?” Dena asks. “Kaya has made some wings that are to die for.
At first I was a bit nervous about coming here. I haven’t been back home in years and I’m sure to some it feels like I’ve abandoned our small neighborhood, but right now it feels as if no time has passed at all.
Until I see her.
Kyle’s little sister.
Kaya Hudson.
The room suddenly becomes brighter, and the air feels heavier. There she is — but she looks nothing like the teenager from my memories.
I haven’t seen her in years, not since the day I packed up my old Toyota sedan and headed off to Alabama for college. We haven’t had any interactions with each other for years, not since that predator from high school tried to make a pass at her and she stopped speaking to me for shutting it down.
She’s changed.
The person in front of me is not the same angry, awkward teenaged girl with a curly black ponytail and bangs cut way too short for her forehead. Instead, this is a full grown woman wearing a sweater dress that clings to her ample breasts and an apple-shaped ass that is about to bring me to tears.
Holy hell.
