I wheezed. “Not S & M.”
She cackled. “Okay, okay. Solé & Mel Academic House. Or wait . . . The Thesis & The Theorem.”
“Now that’s cute. English and math under one roof, after-school programs, small groups, Saturday test prep . . .” I smiled as I blended my concealer.
“A wall of polaroids of kids cheesing because they passed something they thought would end them. We’re gonna do it,” she added, her eyes going glossy for a second.
I nodded, more to myself than to her. “We are.”
There was a knock on my bedroom door. “Are you decent, baby girl?”
“Come in, Nan,” I called, already smiling.
Nan eased in with her cane, wrapped in her robe, curls laid like she had a hair appointment with the Holy Ghost. Her eyes did a slow sweep and lit up. “Lawd, look at my grandbaby all shimmery and glowing.”
“Hey, beautiful,” I said, going to hug her. She smelled like shea, nutmeg, and home.
She leaned back to examine my face, smirking because she was about to say something outlandish, and pointed toward Mel. “You’re really going somewhere with that crazy heifer?”
“In the flesh,” Mel answered, hand on her hip, blowing a kiss.
Nan chuckled. “You know I love you, but you have the bad influence God sent to keep my baby interesting.”
“Facts,” Mel said, unbothered.
“We’re going to the game. Mel finally got me to say yes.”
Nan’s grin went wide. Her eyes widened like she witnessed a miracle. “Well, praise the Lord and pass the remote! You gon’ be out of the house? Doing something fun? With your uptight behind? What got into you?”
“Not my granny calling me uptight,” I said, clutching my imaginary pearls.
“Well, hell, if the girdle fits,” she said, and Mel hollered.
I laughed so hard I nearly messed up my eyeliner. “Wow. Betrayal in my own home.”
NanNan softened, tapping my cheek with one warm finger. “I’m playing. You look beautiful. I’m proud of you for going. Have fun. Laugh loud. Let your shoulders down.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, swallowing the lump her words put in my throat. “Don’t let no man steal your peace, but don’t you block your blessings neither, ya’ hear me?” she commanded, her eyes twinkling.
“Yes, ma’am. I hear you,” I responded, shaking my head at her. She was off the hinges, but I loved her immensely.
She kissed my forehead and shuffled back toward the living room. “Text me when y’all get there. And don’t drink nothing you didn’t see poured.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mel saluted, and NanNan snorted.
When she was gone, I turned to my closet and pulled out my outfit of choice—jeans, a soft tee, and some sandals.
“Unh uh. Put that down and behold—game-day glory.” Mel clicked her tongue as she reached behind my hanging dresses like she knew a secret.
She pulled out a black and red jersey bodycon dress I forgot I owned with the number 1 splashed across the front. It was cute, bold, a lot.
“Absolutely not,” I said immediately.
“Absolutely yes, with the Chicago 1s,” she said just as fast.
“No sandals? It’s cute weather.”
“It’s game time weather. Trust me,” she shot back, already unzipping the dress.
