Peace floods through my entire being as my mind settles, as my heart bows before the Lord.This.This is exactly why I love coming to church—the communal worship, knowing everyone in this room is lifting their hearts to the Lord alongside me. Whatever drama we walked in with no longer matters. If only I knew how to keep this same thought process throughout my week.
The moment the song ends, and everyone sits, I see Jabari’s form. I’m not sure how my eyes lock onto him so easily, but when the woman beside him turns and scans behind her, I’m able to confirm it’s him. Ms. Hall catches my eye. She looks like she wants to acknowledge me, but Jabari must have told her what’s what because she simply faces forward once more.
“Oh, this is going to be a fantastic lunch,” Fran whispers.
“I don’t like you,” I respond.
“You will.”
I scoff.
Jackie turns around and stares at us. I can practically hear her sayQuiet down you two.Being the mature sister, I place my hand on Fran to keep her from sticking her tongue out. It happens almost every Sunday. What I don’t account for is my own irritation, because my tongue darts out before my brain catches up with my actions.
My oldest sister’s eyes widen while Fran snickers beside me. Dad turns around, eyebrows raised, and I adopt an innocent expression. Fran clasps her hands around me, which probably makes us look even more suspicious. Dad says nothing and nudges Jackie instead. She squints her eyes at us before turning around.
The rest of the service goes by quickly as I take notes with Fran interjecting a quiet comment here or there. Before I’m ready—my mind is making that Steve Carrell panic face—we’re in the car and headed to the restaurant.
“Hey, babe,” Isaac says.
“Hmm?”
Fran and I exchange knowing glances. The other shoe is. About. To. Drop.
“So someone was invited to join us for lunch.”
She smirks. “Of course. Did Dad invite an athlete or government official?”
My whole body tenses, and Fran loops her pinky with mine.
“Uh, athlete.”
“Who?”
Is it bad that I’ve leaned back into my seat cushion, as if it’ll widen the blast radius between me and my older sister when she ultimately explodes? My poor brother-in-law doesn’t know this particular brand of explosives. Jackie probably hasn’t shown him her claws, though there were definite moments when she was pregnant with Ollie.
Isaac clears his throat. “Jabari Hall.”
Jackie laughs, and it sounds slightly unhinged. When she stops, she frowns at her husband. “Be serious.”
I look at Fran, who shrugs a shoulder as if to sayHer reaction’s notthat bad.
“I’m not joking.” He stops at a light, then gazes at her intently.
Her head whips around to glare at Fran and me. “Which one of you started this?”
“How could I do anything when I was in the bathroom with you and Ollie?” I throw my hands up.
“Thanks a lot,” Fran murmurs. “I invited him.”
“Why on earth would you do that? You do remember what he did, right?”
I stare at my sister, willing my lips to part and the truth to escape. Except my throat is locked up tight while my palms grow damp.
“I’ve never seen him in church before. Aren’t you curious to find out if he’s different?” Fran asks.
“No!”
I bite my lip to keep the laughter lodged inside. Jackie almost sounds like Ollie when he doesn’t get his way. In fact, he parrots her words in the row behind Fran and me. One glance over my shoulder has him grinning at me. I return the smile. I love that little man.
