Page 26 of Senior

I was ready to curse because she couldn’t leave well enough alone.

“Everything is fine, Kathy. Next subject.”

“Oh… well I did want to talk to you about something.”

“What?”

She smiled brightly. “Have you thought about dating again? I have someone I want you to meet.”

My brows furrowed. “Say what now?”

“He’s a really nice guy, Steph. Fifty-seven. Widowed. Two grown children, a son and a daughter. Four grandkids. He’s a retired firefighter and still very physically active.”

She rambled on and on about this man as she fished through her purse for her phone. Once she located it, she tapped the screen a few times before turning it around to show me a picture. I had to admit the gentleman on the screen was very handsome.

From his picture, I could tell he was taller than me. His rich chocolate skin was smooth and flawless and his smile was perfect. He seemed to have a good sense of style, and I could tell he was quite charming.

“So…. what do you think?” Kathy asked.

“He’s handsome,” I stated. “And how is he interested in me? I’ve never met this man.”

“He’s a friend of Chad’s,” she said, referring to her husband. “You haven’t formally met him, but you have been in the same space. He was at Chad’s birthday cookout a few months back. He came to town for the party and now he lives here.”

“Oh.”

“He personally asked about you. The man remembered exactly what you were wearing that day.”

I frowned. “That’s not suspicious to you?”

“Suspicious? Girl, Thomas is harmless. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“I don’t know about this, Kathy.”

“Why not? You’re not ready?”

“It’s not that. If I date again, I want it to be natural, not because someone hooked me up with a random man.”

She sighed. “I get it, okay? I miss my brother every day and I wish he was still here. But I know he would want you to move on and be happy. I just thought I’d give you a little push. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

I smiled as I covered her hand with mine. “You didn’t overstep. You were just being the typical older sister.”

“Sooo… have you thought about dating?”

“I really hadn’t. I mean, not opposed, however, I don’t think I want to date anybody that you or Chad pick for me. If it doesn’t work out, things would be awkward.”

Her brows furrowed. “Um… no offense, but aren’t you friends with your ex and the mothers of his other kids? Like, y’all are one big happy family. That isn’t awkward?”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I hated that question with a passion.

“They are my family, Kathy, my son’s father more than anybody because I’ve known him since I was fifteen years old. His family took me in and treated me like one of their own since I was seventeen. That man has seen me in every season of life. Tavia and Allison damn near raised my son and I raised their kids. So no, maintaining a relationship with them doesn’t make things awkward. I have a great amount of love for those people.”

She stared at me curiously. “Hmmm.”

“What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. You just seemed really defensive. Reminds me of something I once asked my brother.”

I crossed my arms. “And what was that?”