"God made us all equal of course, but that's not necessarily true. White people have a way of behaving as if they are superior."
This was from her mother who had carried her resentment to a new level. They had attended an all-black church, which had been very deliberate.
And when she started dating in college, she steered clear of white men. Until Christos. He was her first and ironically for her, he was the beginning to unravel everything she thought she knew or thought was right.
She was jarred from her introspection when she felt a small body climbing onto her lap. Conversations were whizzing back and forth, and no one noticed she wasn't contributing to any of it. A mild non-alcoholic beverage had been pressed into her hand.
"Pretty."
The little boy she recognized as Theo murmured, touching her face with a chubby finger. She noticed a pattern with all the male members of the family. They had inherited the thick dark hair from Petros and green eyes from Mary-Ann. It was a stunning combination. The girls had hair ranging from blonde to sable brown and different eye colors.
"I-"
"She's my woman, go find your own."
Flashing her a grin, Christos plucked him off her lap and hoisted him high enough to have him squealing in delight.
He was very good with them and his boast about being adored was not an idle one. The girls climbed all over him, clamoring for his attention and even the sober Dimitri wanted his attention. They seemed to hang onto his every word, and he did not seem to mind that they messed up his hair or clothing.
He was a natural when it came to dealing with children and it showed. While she was the very opposite. She was awkward around them and did not know how to act or what to say. Which was very sad, since she was carrying three.
When it was time for supper, he kept his hand on her arm, pulling out her chair around the twenty seater dining table and making sure she was seated before pulling up a chair next to her.
Even though he had told her that his mother and sisters-in-law did the whole Sunday dinner thing, she could not help but be surprised that what he told her was actual fact. As soon as they were seated, the four women bustled out of the dining room and soon came back with trays, loaded with delicious food. They were even wearing aprons.
"We prepared some Greek fare and hope you will be able to keep it down."
Mary-Ann told her as she put her tray in the middle of the table.
The large platter looked so appetizing that Leanne felt her mouth watering.
She recognized the Hummus, Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), as well as the feta doused with olive oil and oregano. There was warm pita, the scent permeating the air and stirring the appetite, and cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
"It all looks so festive," she murmured, nodding her thanks as a plate was handed to her.
"This is just the starter course," Christos whispered in an aside as he tackled his meal. "There are lots more to come."
He did not exaggerate.
Amidst all the chatter and arguments erupting, the women would excuse themselves to go into the kitchen, coming back with loaded trays. There was chicken and beef souvlaki, marinated in olive oil, garlic and lemon and Greek seasoning, grilled on skewers. The Moussaka with its rich layers of eggplants, spiced ground lamb and bechamel was a little too rich for her taste and she had to forgo the shrimp saganaki. The sides were no less delicious. She felt her stomach protesting after she attempted the Greek lemon potatoes and green beans.
By the time dessert rolled around, she was stuffed and uncomfortable, but unable to resist the Baklava.
She was served strong Irish tea, which should have settled her stomach or at least, she prayed it would. But as soon as she took one sip, she was pushing back the chair. The conversations stopped abruptly as everyone turned to look at her.
"Please excuse me. Christos."
He needed no second bidding. Scooping her into his arms, he raced for the powder room towards the right.
"Just let me-"
Before she could finish, he was kneeling with his arms around her as she threw up the meal.
"God, this is so embarrassing," she muttered, leaning back against him weakly. "I thought I could keep it down. I need to rinse my mouth out."
For the first time she took in her surroundings. Despite the soreness of her stomach and how weak she was, she had to admire the room with its elegant cream and gold décor.
Lifting her up, he carted her to the sink and waited while she rinsed.
