God only knew what she’d call him if she didn’t.
We hadn’t graduated to ‘Ma,’ but I thought she was holding out on a wedding ring. She had to be. The orchid had had her in tears and she’d yet to concede defeat.
“No, she’s finally realized that I wouldn’t lie to her.”
Ma’s nod was loaded with approval. “What have I told you? You girls stick together.” She waded out with two dishes, one she shoved at me and the other she settled on her knee as she sank onto the armchair she always used when she visited. “Now, Kitty, I have to say… you need to get some kind of noise canceling thingies here. Those foam squares you stick on the wall?”
I sputtered as Neev squawked with laughter and Raisin giggled into her mashed potato.
“What?” Ma blustered. “I have ears and I’ve seen the YouTube. You know the squares I’m talking about. Neev, help your mother.”
“It’s soundproofing, Ma.”
“That’s it.” She clicked her fingers. “Especially in the kitchen.”
Raisin gagged. “Please tell me you sprayed Lysol on the counters before you dished out up here, Ma!”
Ma tapped her nose. “It’s good to know the boy can use his penis?—”
“MOTHER!” I shrieked, but I shattered into laughter, sagging into the cushions so hard that gravy nearly spilled everywhere.
Raisin caught my dish before a calamity could unfold. “They’re right. You’re noisy as fuck.”
“Were you always this loud, child?” Ma inquired, her tone prim. “Or does he just have superpowers?”
“My god, can we not talk about this?!”
Neev, because she was a demon, cackled. “I think we should talk about it all night. Especially as it’ll be more entertaining than whatever bullshit show Raisin’s picked for us tonight.”
“Fuck off. The documentary looks interesting!”
Neev gagged. “Wait until it’s my turn to pick again. Documentary, my ass!”
“Girls!” Ma screeched. “No fighting.”
As my sisters glowered at one another and I tried to disappear into thin air, the sound of a key in the door grated overly loud in the room.
“You gave him a key?” Neev whispered.
“He lives here! What was I supposed to do? Always answer the door?”
Ma sucked in a breath. “He lives here?!”
“Please let Lucas find out when I’m there,” Raisin drawled before shoveling down a large bite of cottage pie.
Stan’s eyes widened a touch at the sight of us, but I noticed he zeroed in on our dishes.
Ma, also noticing this, beamed at him. “There’s plenty in the kitchen, boy.”
“Really?” he asked, tone hopeful.
“Go and fix yourself a plate.”
Stan shifted around the couch to press a kiss to the top of my head, which had me melting into the cushions for a different reason.
Neev cooed, “He’s got it soooo bad.”
“As he should,” Ma declared. “Though, you two shouldn’t be living together without a ring on that finger, my girl.”
