“It smells so good. I hope it’s still some food left because I had to fight with Levi to get him to my cousins and missed breakfast. Then the airport was too busy. I just wanted to get on the plane,” Eris complained as we got out the car.
“What my girl Erin do?”
“Nothing. You know she don’t pay anybody no mind with that phone in her hands.”
I giggled because Erin was a younger version of Eris. It’s crazy to see how much they act and look alike. I applaud Eris so much for handling two kids like that. Whenever I think about kids, I get sick. That’s why I send them back speed dial whenever God wanted to get to acting funny and send me one.
“Eris, how nice it is to see you. I just asked about you last night,” my momma greeted her with the largest smile and hug.
“How are you doing, Ms. Joy? Happy Anniversary,” Eris greeted.
My daddy hugged her, my sister waved, and Derrick gave a head nod in his condescending manner.
The backyard was lively.
The kids ran wild, music blasted and food looked good. Everyone was enjoying themselves.
We joined them and I quickly had two mimosas waiting for me.
I was happy when they didn’t ask or say anything to me while I ate and drank. I watched the kids play, caterers get all the food and drinks together, and my parents were dancing in the middle of the yard before my siblings and their spouses joined.
“Are you feeling alright, Suk?” Eris asked.
“I’m good, boo. And if I’m not, these mimosas gone make it be.”
“Cheers to that,” Eris toasted her glass.
We ate and drank until we were stuffed. The kids played and were upstairs sleep. The backyard was packed up, and we were inside sitting around the kitchen.
“How’s everything with the office you work for?” my mama asked Eris.
“It’s going well. Stressful but good.”
“What’s stressful about it?” Momma countered.
It made me feel some kind of way because she never questioned me about work.
“We just switched companies and we’re setting up another office ,so it’s a lot of back and forth.”
“But you still love your job, don’t you?” she quired.
“Ma, E’s the best at her job. Let her breathe,” I interjected.
“It’s fine girl.”
“I’m just asking because you see how everybody here is talking about their careers and their likes and dislikes, you haven’t said a thing,” Momma pointed out.
“Joy,” my daddy called out.
“No, Daddy. It’s fine…I was letting y’all talk since every time I mention my career, you don’t wanna hear it.”
“I would hardly call doing hair a career,” my brother murmured, and my sister laughed like fucking school kids.
“So, because I didn’t make y’all refinance your home and almost put you in the grave from loans it mean my degree ofcosmetology isn’t a career. You have a lot to say but whenever you come in town, who does both y’alls hair? Kids too?”
“Suk…” Eris tried reasoning, but it was already there.
“You think a measly ass sixty-dollar hairdo is making money. You have to work twelve or more-hour days to see a profit.”
