Page 249 of The Sweetest Return

“Both can be true.”

That was how the day went.

Dre and me, hand in hand or close enough to touch, moving from one part of campus to the next. We stopped by the Jones Foundation tent where his parents helped announce a new scholarship for former student athletes building businesses after graduation. His mother cried before the first recipient even stepped forward, and Pops pretended the grill smoke was bothering his eyes.

Mrs. Jones had also spent most of the morning keeping an eye on me. Water appeared in my hand before I asked for it. She had found me a chair twice, asked what I ate for breakfast, then frowned when my answer apparently failed inspection.

The first time, I blamed Dre for telling her I had been tired lately.

By the third bottle of water, I was starting to wonder.

Camille passed through with Malcolm beside her carrying two plates, one for her and one he clearly had no intention of letting her balance herself. She rolled her eyes when he handed it over, but she leaned into his side while she did it, looking loved on and irritated about being caught enjoying it.

My parents arrived with Jabari not long after.

He clapped Dre on the shoulder. “You still treating my sister right?”

“Every day.”

Jabari nodded once. “Aight then.”

“That’s it?” Dre asked.

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

Mama rolled her eyes. “Boy, stop acting like you’re her father.”

“Somebody got to ask.”

Mama hugged me next, held me out at arm’s length, and looked at my face a little too long.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“You are looking at me.”

“I have eyes.”

Before I could respond, she took the bottle of water from my hand, checked how much I had drunk, and handed it back.

I stared at her. “What is happening?”

“Drink your water.”

Mrs. Jones made the mistake of looking over at exactly the wrong moment. Mama’s eyes met hers. Something passed between them.

Oh, hell no.

“Why are y’all looking at each other like that?”

“Like what?” Mama asked.

“Like you know something.”

Her mouth twitched. “I don’t know anything.”

“Mama.”