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“Is it serious?” His father asked.
“It’s serious. She’s my girlfriend.”
His mother found her words again. “Well, who is she?”
“Her name’s Nicole. She’s a sophomore.”
“What’s she studying?” she asked.
“Art. She just got into the program. You should see her paintings, Ma. She’s really good.”
His mother smiled at that. “And how long have you been seeing her?”
“Since Homecoming. We met a little before that.”
His mother paused. “So, about a month?”
“A little over a month.”
“Okaaay.” His mother sounded like she wasn’t quite sure what to do with that.
“You’re really into this girl, huh?” his father asked.
“Yeah, Dad. I am.” He sat back in his chair. He’d had Black guys on his teams his whole life, but every friend he’d ever brought home was white, and so was every girl he’d dated. He’d never had this conversation with his parents, and he wasn’t sure how it was going to go. He wanted to find out before Saturday, when they’d all be sitting at a table with Nicole. “And there’s something else you should know. She’s Black.”
His father had just taken a drink of water, and he choked on it. His mother had been reaching for the green beans, but her hand stopped beside the bowl.
“Oh,” she said again. This one sounded different.
Drew looked between them. His father glanced at his mother, then back at him.
“Well. Okay.” His father laughed a little. “Look at you.”
Drew didn’t laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I’m just saying.”
“Then say it.”
“Drew,” his mother said. “You surprised us, that’s all.”
“I can see that.”
She picked up the serving spoon and put a few green beans on her plate. He watched her do it, though she’d already had some and hadn’t touched them. “Are you happy?” she asked.
“Yeah, Ma. I am.”
“Then that’s what matters.”
He wanted to believe her. Would’ve been easier if she could look at him while she said it.
“I just want you to be careful,” she added.
“About what?”
“You’ve got a lot ahead of you, and people know that. I don’t want you getting involved with somebody who’s more interested in where you’re going than who you are.”
“Nicole’s not like that.”
