Page 36 of Pretty and Loco

They bought us matching clothes, and Daya had her own room. At no point was she ever made to feel uncomfortable in our home because my mother made sure she knew it was hers too. Their bond, especially, is one that I love.

“Ma, you already know what I came for…” Daya smiled as she sat at the table, hoping my mother had made some candied yams. And I knew she had, because I could already smell the brown sugar and vanilla extract.

Dinner went surprisingly well; we talked, laughed, and reminisced about old times. Things were finally starting to feel normal again. I quickly realized how much I missed being at this table, and in this house.

But as soon as I thought it, I could feel the energy shifting toward the end of dinner. It was like everyone’s posture changed at once, and their shoulders tensed like an elephant had walked into the room.

My mother cleared her throat.

“Leah, honey…”

I looked up from my plate, raising an eyebrow as I held up a spoon full of rice and green beans I had just scooped.

“Hmm?” I asked, mouth still full of the last scoop.

“Dayari and I talked last week, and she told me you were dating again. How is that going?” She questioned me gently.

I dropped the spoon on the glass plate, and it bounced up and down, making the most obnoxious noise until it came to a smooth stop.

My immediate thought was to ask her, ‘What’s it to you?’ But then it all made sense about why everyone was feeling so generous tonight. How everyone hugged me a little tighter, sounded a little sweeter, and held their smiles a little longer.

“You couldn’t ask Dayari since she’s done an amazing job up until this point of telling you my business?” I asked as I slowly turned my head toward Daya, who did everything but look me in the eye.

“Leah, it’s not like that.” She replied quickly.

“Then what is it? You haven’t done a family dinner in years, Ma; now, all of a sudden, after you got this information from Daya, you want to fellowship?” I scoffed, suddenly losing my appetite.

“I was just concerned and wanted to check in. You’re my only child, Leah; that doesn’t stop because you’re in your twenties.” She reminded me. Her voice was losing its gentle tone and matching my edge.

“You shouldn’t be concerned. And Dayari, stop telling my damn business. I don’t do that to you. If you want to tell someone something, tell them about the doctor at the hospital. Miss Night Nurse. But leave my affairs out of it.”

“Bossy.” My father cut in.

“Bossy nothing, Dad, y’all are wrong, and you know it. I’m thinking that finally y’all have completely forgiven me and want to move forward, but the whole time this was an intervention.” I wiped my hands on the napkin, then threw it onto my second plate of the night, half-eaten.

I went to stand up, but my father stopped me.

“Leah.” I knew he was serious when he finally called me by my first name. Despite being mad, I didn’t budge. I guess it was muscle memory that, no matter how old I was, allowed correction when he finally used it.

I waited for him to finish.

“You’re not leaving. You keep saying you’re grown, so act grown. An adult should be able to have a simple conversation without all of this. Nobody is debating your age. You can do whatever you want. But you keep us in the dark about a lot and leave us to fix shit later. We won’t stop rescuing you, but we don’t want to be caught off guard. Grown lady.” He barked, emphasizing the final two words.

I huffed as I sat back in the chair, one leg over the other, and crossed my arms over my chest. The fact that they were making this a big deal didn’t sit right, but if they wanted answers, they’d get them.

“Fine.” I shrugged.

He nodded and then sat down and picked up his fork.

“Well, I’m scared to ask now.” My mother said sarcastically.

Dayari, the one who had started this shit, finally broke her silence. “Look, Leah, I didn’t mean for it to come across like we were ambushing you. But daddy is right, you’re so secretive lately, even with me. That’s why I mentioned it to ma.”

“The nerve of y’all to think that you are entitled to my business. But what would you like to know?” I asked.

Neither of them spoke for a while. They all looked at each other. Six eyes darted back and forth, wondering who would take the next hit. I chuckled at the sight.

“Well, who’s the guy?” My mother finally said.