He isn’t lying but it wasn’t a sweet conversationlike his tone alluded to. I rarely witness Dad lying to her, but when he does, if I didn’t know him better, I wouldn’t be able to tell. I’m not sure if that’s concerning or the man’s a genius.
“She’s great, baby,” Ma says to me as she pushes against my father’s chest, trying to find a little space.
“I think so too, Ma.” I smile at her, hoping someday I’ll have the type of relationship with someone that they have…minus the half-truths, of course.
“The girls really like her too,” she adds.
The girl huddle hasn’t broken up. They are still deep in conversation, but the laughter coming from their circle fills the room, almost drowning out the chatter of everyone else.
Lulu waves her hand, catching my eye. “I’m being summoned,” I tell them, happy to be called away from the big talk with my dad.
“Go. Have fun,” Ma says.
“Remember what I said,” Dad reminds me like I’ve somehow forgotten his words of warning in the last thirty seconds.
“I won’t forget,” I tell him with a tight smile before I dip away from them and stalk toward the table with my sister, my cousins, and my girl.
Lulu pulls out the empty chair next to her when I’m a few feet away. I slide into the seat, giving Iris a small kiss on the cheek, earning myself a smile. WhenI turn toward my cousin, she’s staring at me with a goofy grin. “Thanks,” I tell her.
“That looked tense, cuz. Uncle Ang can be a bit…”
“Much,” I tell her with a laugh. “He was being that.”
“Everything okay?” she asks, searching my face for some clue.
“Perfect,” I reply before turning back toward Iris. “Everything okay over here?”
“I love them,” she says, looking every bit happy and relaxed around my cousins and sister. “They’re so fun.”
“That’s one way of describing them,” I mumble.
“Lulu wants to come help me organize my art studio.”
“Don’t do it,” I warn Iris as I take her hand in mine. “The girl likes to organize way too much.”
“Well, I hate it, so she’ll be doing me a favor.”
“You’ll never be able to find your things again.”
Iris laughs, looking like she’s always been here. She’s comfortable around my family, and nothing in the world could make me happier. My family has always been one of the most important things in my life, and I can’t imagine being with someone who doesn’t love them as much as I do.
“The girls are taking me out one night this week,” she says.
“Drinking?”
She nods. “Them, not me.”
“Sure,” I tease. “They’re not going to let you remain sober while they get wasted.”
“Well, I’ll just have to stay at your place that night so I don’t wander the streets of Chicago half naked and end up behind bars.”
“I don’t mind sleepwalking Iris.”
“You don’t mind her? She’s still me, you know.”
“She’s much more handsy.”
Iris leans forward, bringing her lips close to mine. “If you’re good, maybe I’ll get handsy later.”
