I see him close his eyes and slump over slightly. He never says anything back, just chooses to forgive every snarky comment she ever makes.
Mamaw gets right to work. As a going-away present, she bought all my college linens. It was especially meaningful because she wanted to save the money and sew everything herself. If it had been up to her, she would have made the curtains, the pillow shams, the duvet covers, and the throw pillows, for both Jasmine and me.
I didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I thought about how to break it to her for weeks. Jasmine and I had talked about it over the phone and both of us loved the pink-and-gray linens from dormitup.com. They had everything we needed to have the cutest room in Martin, all in one box. A comforter, sham, matching sheets and towels. A curtain, a throw pillow, a hamper, a shower caddy, a desk lamp, and a trash can—every single thing coordinated perfectly.
In great detail Jasmine and I had discussed all of the other things we would need for our room and divided all the extras between us. A friend of hers was giving away a futon sofa. It was a little soiled, Jasmine said, but we had planned to throw quilts on top to hide the stains. She also found matching desk chairs and I found a microwave, a full-length mirror for the door, and a small refrigerator on Craigslist.
The rug we ordered through the University is already in the room. Although we could have chosen from a variety of colors, we chose gray to makesure it coordinated with our bedding. It’s fairly small, so it doesn’t take long for the three of us to roll it out in between the beds and desks.
An hour later, we hear voices in the hall. “Here it is, Mama,” a girl says, followed by a loud knock.
I nearly trip over a large box hurrying to the door. Because of Instagram, I recognize her the second she walks in. “Jasmine!”
“Cali Watkins! I finally get to meet you.”
“In the flesh,” I say, and we embrace. There’s no awkwardness at all. We’d talked many times over the summer after learning the University had matched us together.
Jasmine puts her hands on her hips, looks around. “This room is not bad. Is it, Mama?”
“Unh-uh. I like it.” Jasmine’s mother, who, I have to say, is rather plump, plops right down on the other bed. The sound of a screeching frame fills the room.
“Y’all, meet my grandparents.” I squeeze in between them and put my arms around their shoulders. “Charles and Margaret Watkins.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Watkins,” Jasmine says. “And this is my mama, Devonia Crawford.” Everyone shakes hands, but Mrs. Crawford keeps her seat. I get the idea it’s too hard for her to move once she sits down.
Jasmine glances around. “It’s small, but it’ll do. You’ve already made it look nice, Cali.”
“It’s all my grandmother.” I grin, gesturing toward Mamaw.
“You have the touch, Mrs. Watkins.”
“Why, thank you, Jasmine.” When Mamaw smiles it’s nice to see.
Papaw slides over and wraps his arm around her shoulder. “You should see our home. My Marge is quite the decorator.”
“Oh, Charles, stop. I’m not, either.”
Jasmine laughs. “You’re just being modest, Mrs. Watkins. Cali, I like the way you’ve got your bed up high, by the way.”
“It was already lofted when we walked in,” Papaw says. “I’d be happy to loft yours. We wanted to let you decide.”
About that time, a guy walks in carrying a box with dormitup.com printed on the outside. Jasmine, who I’m sure notices him, continues talking to my grandparents and doesn’t interrupt their conversation.
“Ahem,” the guy says after a couple minutes. “Will I have to stand here all day or are you gonna tell me where to put this box?”
“I’m sorry, baby. Put it down over there.” Jasmine points to an empty spot in front of the closet. “I’ll take that closet. Okay with you, Cali?”
“Sure,” I say with a shrug.
He obligingly puts down the box, turns to my grandparents and me. “Don’t mind Jasmine.” He stretches out his hand. “I’m Carl Joyner. It’s a pleasure to make y’all’s acquaintance.”
“I’m sorry,” she says. “That’s Carl.”
“I need help with the futon. Are you okay to help me with it, Mr. Watkins? It’s down in the lobby.”
“Why sure, son. I’ve been waiting for something else to do. I’m ready when you are.”
“Do you need to wait on the elevator or are you okay to take the stairs?”
