“Fran, I won’t have you talking about your sister like that,” Mom says. “Besides, we’ll see if motherhood smooths out your rough edges.”
“Oh, I already know I’ll be ten times better than Queen Jackie. I can own up to my mistakes, unlike some people.”
“Whatever. If that’s true, then you’d be telling Val to apologize for dating my ex.”
“Are you still in love with him?”
The question booms in the middle of the room as if the voice came from heaven in the form of thunder. All of our heads swivel to take in Isaac’s furious expression as he holds Ollie in his arms. My nephew looks confused by the commotion.
“Babe, it’s not like that.” Jackie stands up and takes a stuttered step toward her husband.
He steps back. “Sure sounds like it. If you don’t love him, whatdoes it matter if Val dates him?” He shakes his head and stalks up the stairs.
“Grovel.” Fran’s voice breaks the quiet. “Tell him you’ll let this nonsense go, you’ll stop talking about Jabari in any negative way, and show Isaac you lovehim. And for goodness’ sake”—Fran throws her hands in the air—“support Val for once in your life.”
“Idolove Isaac,” Jackie whispers.
“Then go upstairs and tell your husband that,” Dad says, sparing Mom a side-eyed look.
Jackie disappears up the stairs, and by unspoken agreement, Dad, Mom, Fran, and I filter out of their house.
I hug Mom, and Fran invites her over for breakfast tomorrow so they can talk. I hope Mom decides to give Fran a break and help her through the pregnancy instead of heaping more judgment.
We walk to the nearest Metro station.
“So did you two kiss good-night?” Fran asks.
I shake my head. “I’m trying to take things slow. I want to make sure this is what we both want before jumping all in.”
“You can stand to loosen up. Youlikehim. What’s the problem?”
I hook a finger over my shoulder. “Our sister? Hello!”
“Well, if you didn’t answer her summons, you could’ve gotten your kiss today. You don’t always have to jump when she says so.”
My stomach bottoms out. “Good grief. When will I learn?”
“Hopefully today. When will Jabari be back in town?”
“Wednesday.” How am I supposed to go four more days until I can be with him again?
“Where is he today?”
“Jersey. They’re playing there Monday.” The good thing about East Coast games is they don’t have to travel very far.
“Then go back up and surprise him.”
“We’re already home.” I give Fran aduhlook.
She merely rolls her eyes. “Like you can’t buy a ticket up to Jersey and get on another train. Must I do all the thinking?”
I bite my lip as she smirks. Should I do that? Just show up in Jersey and surprise Jabari?
“Just do it. Stop being so cautious all the time.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t hesitate,” Fran urges. “Go cheer your hockey guy on.”
