by Laney Terra
“Can I call you sometime? Take you out?” he said, making one last attempt.
“No.”
“For what it’s worth. I think we’d fit well together.”
“Always thinking of the physical,” I said.
“You were thinking I meant physically? Hmm.” His cheeks rose. “Have a great Thanksgiving. Say hello to Aunt Geraldine for me. And if you change your mind…” A business card came out of Ren’s pocket. “Say hello to me. Even if it’s only to evade your family.”
I decided against my best judgement and put the card in my pocket. But in the near future, it could have been valuable, proving its weight in gold.
---
For Thanksgiving Dinner, I found myself at my mom’s house. As Ren had predicted, Aunt Geraldine was on my case. She was the eldest of all of the sisters and firmly planted into everyone’s business. She, as always, had recruited her sisters to join in. Lucky for me, we were in the kitchen, not at the dinner table.
I got the usual questions and gave my usual answers. No I wasn’t dating. Yes, I’d tell them if I was about to elope. No I didn’t plan to be alone forever. I didn’t know why I was still single. It just happened. My mom backed me up, saying I was focused on my career. That wasn’t enough for them to leave me alone.
“Do you want kids?” Aunt Cathy asked.
“Yes someday.”
“Then you need a man!” Geraldine said. “A strong man. Good and strong. You’ll thank me for that advice. Ha, ha.”
They moved on to discuss other women and girls in the family. Phew.
“Out of all the girls,” Aunt Geraldine said, returning me back to the subject of conversation. “I thought you’d be the one to get married first, Shauna. You’re so sweet, don’t mind cooking for your man, you love cleaning. Your momma taught you well.”
I frowned. “Who told you I loved cleaning?”
“You carry those Lysol wipes around. Always tidying up.”
“Right.”
“Leave my baby alone,” Mom said, pulling me into a half hug, holding a spatula in the other hand. “She’ll find her man when it’s time. But don’t wait too long. I want grandbabies while I can still get around.”
“I know that’s right,” grandmother said from her seat in the corner of the kitchen.
“She won’t have to wait,” Anita, another aunt, said as if she was offended at Mom’s suggestion. “I have five men for her in mind. You will marry one of them, I’m sure of that.”
“No,” Aunt Joy said. “She’ll marry Derrick. He’s my favorite pick for her out of my three. He’s very handsome. Boy, if I was your age honey... He’s the right choice.”
“No. What about that boy?” Aunt Geraldine said, turning away from the stove to face me. Finger wagging in the air. “Remember Nellie? She loved that boy all through high school and straight into college! Ha, ha.”
Aunt Anita jumped back in, and I envisioned the entire Thanksgiving Dinner conversation circling around my love life. The nightmare would reach the critical stage with the involvement of my cousins. It was funny enough being hooked up by my aunts, but some of my cousins… I knew they did it on purpose, send me out with their no good friends. They loved for me to come back complaining, providing them further entertainment.
One of the guys I was assigned to was the worst. My cousins had arranged for him to pick me up at their house. Little did I know why. He, I refuse to remember his name, only referred to me as “ay gurrrl.” Not even “girl.” He kept bragging about what he had. Kept licking his lips, saying I’d look good naked in his hot tub. Kept rubbing my knee on the car ride over to the restaurant. His eyes fixed on my mistake—the pink V-neck that I wore.
I had barely made it thirty minutes into the date before I pretended to go to the bathroom and bolted out the front door of the restaurant. Yes, I ran. Was glad to have worn flats that day because there was no time to call for back up from the restaurant bathroom. I couldn’t stand losing more time. No point in making up an excuse to him. My cousins were on the floor, rolling, when I retold the events.
The funnier segment of the story was that he found out the date was over when some of the hosts and hostesses were laughing while discussing a woman sprinting away once she reached the parking lot. Track and field did me well that day.
I shuddered. That memory. And the possibility of that situation happening again.
“Actually,” I said.
The kitchen grew quiet and all eyes were on me.
“I’m talking to someone,” I said. Well, it wasn’t a complete lie. I did talk to him the entire morning.
“Who?” Aunt Geraldine said.
“And for how long?” another aunt threw in.
“You didn’t tell me this,” Mom aka Nellie said. “Well…”
“I don’t believe her,” Geraldine said and put a hand on her hip. “She’s pulling our leg. Doesn’t want us to get involved.”
“I don’t but it’s true. I—” I said.
“Prove it!” Geraldine said. She got a little carried away about these things. I was sure the guys yelling and watching football on the flat screen in the den and the kids upstairs heard her. “Call him. Let us hear his voice. Show us a picture. I want to make sure he’s not imaginary.”
A picture? Hmm…
“Aldy!” Mom said. “She’ll do nothing of the sort. Yes, we like to dig into everyone’s business, but you’re making my baby feel uncomfortable here.”
“It’s alright,” I said, raising my hand. “If I show y’all a picture, will you let us be?” I added the “us” part because I knew it would make me appear involved.
“Us,” Joy said. “I like the sound of that. So…”
I pulled out my phone and opened it to the picture of Ren and I from that morning then walked around to everyone in the room.
“He’s so handsome,” grandmother said and clasped her hands together. “And he has great teeth.”
“You can say that again,” Cathy said.
“Where are the others?” Geraldine said. “That could be some random man enjoying your company.”
“Nothing is ever good enough?” Mom said.
“I know,” Geraldine said. “And that’s why I—”
“That’s Ren,” Mom said. “You remember him. You were just asking about him moments ago.”
With haste, I dialed Ren’s number from his business card.
“That new?” Geraldine said, still not believing me as she eyed the card. “That couldn’t be Ren. She’d know his number.”
“Not if she hadn’t seen him in years,” Anita said. And that was why I hated all of them in my business. They shouldn’t know facts like that.
Ren answered. “Shauna, it’s a pleasure to hear from you.”
“Hi babe,” I said. “How is the turkey?”
“Babe?” Ren said. “Should I excuse myself from the table?”
“Please,” I said with a little bit of attitude. “You’re so into yourself.”
“So they’re on you again,” Ren said, sounding happy to predict a little bit of my future. “You owe me fifty dollars.”
“I do not!” I said. “Remember I don’t bet.”
“That might be her friend,” Geraldine said. “Not a lover.”
“Alright, that’s enough,” Cathy said. “Leave her alone.”
“I rest my case,” Geraldine said and made her way back to the stove on the other side of the room.
“Is that Geraldine, all hype in the background?” Ren said and chuckled. Did I say how he sounded so good on the phone? I probably needed to take a seat. “Let me talk to her.”
“No. I’m not,” I said and covered a smile. “I have to go. Just wanted to see how you were.”
“You want her out of your hair don’t you?” Ren said. “I can do that. Christmas from me to you in advance. I’ll let you slide on the date you owed me next week.”
“Date?” I said. “I didn’t owe you a date.”
Geraldine stopped messing
with the pan and turned around. “It’s true?”
“You owed me a date the moment you called,” Ren said. “As repayment for getting you out of this sticky situation. They’re going to ask more questions about me later, and I need to prep you. It’s hard to remember how awesome I am, so maybe you’ll want to go on three. Three and I think you’ll absorb it all.”
“Whatever,” I said, holding back a smile.
“Well I’ll be—” Geraldine said.
I held out the phone to her. “He wants to speak to you.”
Geraldine hesitated to take the phone. “This isn’t going to be a woman is it?”
Mom caught herself from laughing. “You do all of this talk Aldy and now, you’re scared of the phone. That’s classic Geraldine for you.”
“You told me years ago to give him my number, and he wants to thank you,” I said.
Still caught off guard, Geraldine took the phone. “Yes…oh.” She laughed. “Now, did I call it or what? Yes…” more laughter. “Okay darling, now I’ll let you go back to your supper, but next time you’ll be over here, right? Shauna’s mom is hosting Christmas dinner as well… Invite your family too…”
Noo! What have I done?
“Yes,” Geraldine said. “They are invited. And if you really can’t make it for Christmas, the day after we have a big dinner too…. Alright. I’ll be looking out for you now. Don’t you do my niece wrong now and mess up the chance to meet me. Alright. Have a great night.” Geraldine gave me back the phone. “He’s still on there,” she mouthed.
“Yes,” I said.
“Goodnight babe,” Ren said and laughed.
I could get use to that.
“Night,” I said and hung up.
Chapter 3
Ren
“Babe?” my brother, Allen, asked. We were laying back in one of the many man cave recliners, catching the game when Shauna had called. Allen knew I didn’t call any woman that. Not even Brenda, who I was the closest to settling down with, and that wasn’t saying much.
“Who is this babe?” Allen said. “Fill me in.”
“A woman, very beautiful woman,” I said. “Went to school with her in the past.”
“And you’re making it up to her,” Allen said. “How you treated her back then.”
I shook my head. “No. She’s different. Never went out with her.”
“So you slept with her and threw her away?”
“No,” I said. “I’d never do that to her.”
Allen narrowed his eyes. “Not even back then?”
“I didn’t know what it was, but I wanted something different with her. The others, I didn’t care for in the same way. They felt more temporary.”
“So she knew of your behaviors back then?” Allen said. “Wait a minute. Is this the same chick you asked me about when we were younger? The one that you said you had to eventually change for?”
I nodded. “That’s her. And she got even better. Curvier hips, thighs, breasts.”
“What are you two talking about?” Grandma Pearl said, creeping up behind me and scaring me half to death, up out of my recliner. She was my grandma, but I swore she had ninja skills. Always surprising someone, coming out of nowhere. “I heard thighs and breasts,” she continued.
“We were talking about what piece of the turkey we wanted Grandma,” I said.
“Better be,” she said. “I don’t need no more little ones coming out of the blue, you hear me?” She pointed to my brother and me before she shuffled off.
“Phew,” I said, taking my seat again. “Close call.”
“I’d go tell her now,” Allen said.
“What do you mean?” I said. “Tell Shauna?”
“Tell Grandma that some babies are in your near future.”
“Naw.”
“Yeah. You loved Shauna back in high school, you love her now, and you don’t even know her that well. Sounds like a match to me. You never treated anyone like you wanted to treat Shauna. Tried on your past two girlfriends but both were crazy.”
“Don’t remind me,” I said.
“I’m just saying, you’re on the right track,” Allen said. “You finally found the right girl.”
“But she doesn’t want me. There’s nothing I can do about that.”
“You’re not sounding like yourself.”
“I want what’s best for her,” I said. “And if she doesn’t want to get to know me, I’m not going to force it.”
“Where’s that confidence that you exude?”
“She’s immune.”
“You have to try harder.”
“I did and I’m invited to Christmas dinner, so I’ll see her then.”
“Wait,” Allen said, sitting up to face me. “You’re waiting. For a month. To see her again. Did I get that right?”
“Precisely.”
“Want my help?” Allen said.
No way did I want his help. In school, the only guy with more women on his arm than me was him.
“Absolutely not,” I said. “I’m doing this my way.”
“Well, if you want my advice, don’t give up. You know she’s the one…or crazy. She could be crazy. You seem to have a knack for wanting to settle down with the psychos.”
I laughed. It was true. Hopefully, Shauna was always my exception.
Chapter 4
One Week Later
Shauna
“So y’all are coming,” I said, delighted. “For real coming. Not backing out on me like before?”
“Of course,” Leslie said. “Got to get my Santa suit on. You think they’ll give me one?”
“Maybe a t-shirt, but not a suit,” Michelle said. “Unless you’re running.”
“She’s running,” Londyn said.
“I am?” Leslie said. “I thought—”
“You’ve been thinking about your mother in law so much that you forgot,” Londyn said.
“Oh,” Leslie said.
“Well, we can all wear our suits together because I’m running too,” Casey said.
“You’re not!” Alyssa said. “You won’t make that 5K. When I dragged you to practice with me, you quit 200 meters in. Half a track lap in and you quit Ms. Casey.”
“I filled out that form and paid my money,” Casey said. “So I am. Plus, there’s a one mile walk.”
“Am I the only one that didn’t pay?” Michelle said. “Kind of feeling left out. Maybe I need to wear my designer Santa track suit.”
“I’m with you, Michelle,” I said.
“You can sign up at the race,” Alyssa said.
“I wish I could run,” Londyn said and rubbed her stomach.
“Aww,” I said. “Did he or she kick?”
Londyn nodded.
“Aww,” I said again. “The baby is trying to run too. You’re going right?”
“I had planned to volunteer,” Londyn said. “Keene did too but then he registered us and said we could at least walk Casey’s 200 meters with her.”
We all fell out laughing, bending over the island that contained more treats for us to try.
Once we retained our composure, the girls and I brought the treats into Leslie’s family room and sat down to watch a movie. That time for the get together, Michelle went to the store. I was grateful about that. My little secret was I did too. Valerie’s, one of the restaurants at the other race, had served up some tasty pumpkin pancakes. Upon a visit to their place, I was introduced to their bakery, containing several exquisite treats.
“Now Shauna,” Casey began. “Last time you said there would be plenty of men.”
“Not all are single,” I said.
“And by what I heard, you found yourself a fine one,” Casey said.
Leslie’s eyes got big as if she forgot she told Casey. I shook my head at her, smiling. I knew not to tell Leslie that much. She was good at keeping secrets for some people but not for me when Casey asked. For example, we can’t get anything out of Leslie about Londyn.
It wasn’t that much of a pro
blem. I guessed it would come out anyway. With my luck, I’d run into him again soon. And I had planned to tell Casey about Ren too, she was a close friend, but she also liked to blab like she was then. Especially if you gave her a few drinks, which is what I was sure she did to Leslie. More than likely Leslie also told Casey not to tell me she knew.
“You did?” Michelle said, perking up. “There’s a chance for me? Out there with those guys running.”
“I didn’t hear about that either,” Alyssa said.
“That’s right,” Casey said, and took a sip of her egg nog. “Spill. Should I be running?” She put running in quoting hands. “Or volunteering? What’s my best bet?”
“Coming to my Christmas party of course,” Leslie said, moving us away from the topic of the race. “We have quite a few single ones invited.”
“I’m going to that, but I need one from this race,” Casey said. “I can’t wait another two and a half weeks. Come on now.”
“Alright, alright,” Leslie said.
“Shauna,” Casey said.
“I was minding my business, volunteering, when he was assigned to work with me,” I said. “So volunteer.”
Casey nodded. “Well, you won’t be left out, Shauna. I’ll be volunteering in my suit. Right next to you.”
“As will I,” Michelle said.
“You were right,” Casey said. “I should have been there. With you, singing holiday songs to the runners.” She and a couple of others laughed.
“Holiday singing songs are for this race,” I said.
“Really?” Casey said.
“Yeah, there are carolers along certain points,” I said.
“I think we’re straying from the subject here,” Londyn said. “Who is this man? Name, characteristics, how it’s been going with him, et cetera.”
Instead of blocking him from them further, I told it all, including the fact that I wasn’t getting involved with him.
“This is the Ren from college?” Londyn said.