CHAPTER 8
"They're here," she echoed from downstairs, pots and pans still clinking as she started prepping the things to make dinner.
It was sort of a tradition for my family to get together every month to have a big dinner. My family, meaning my mum, little sister, and my witch of an aunty but obviously I have to pretend everything is fine for the three plus hours we're together and ignore every offensive statement she and my mother throw at me.
"I'll be down in a sec," I screamed back as I adjusted my outfit one last time in the mirror. The voices became louder the closer I got to the kitchen.
I immediately sighted my sister's bright red hair from across the room, running at her with pure joy.
"Susie" I squealed as she started screaming too, jumping up and down like two best friends who hadn't seen each other in ages.
"Your hair," I paused. "I love it" I said as I ran my fingers through her red bussdown wig, my sister was more alternative in her fashion style and was always wearing different colors of wigs with multiple piercings, and surprisingly, my mum was fine with it.
"I know right, I just got it." she said as she gave me a twirl, her brown eyes sparkling.
"How have you been?" she asked, "How's babysitting Darius?" giggling knowing fully well that Darius was always doing some crazy shit.
"I think you already know the answer to that"I answered.
"Enough catching up, girls." My aunty said as she called attention to the ingredients on the table that we needed to start chopping, if we were going to have anything to eat for dinner.
"Come on, Aunty K, we've not seen each other in a while." I joked
"Well, it certainly wasn't my fault you were sick last month and we couldn't do this," she side eyed me "Before your mother gets back down, start chopping those carrots."
My mother's door creaked open, speaking of the devil. She came out with some old vinyls as she blew the dust off them and before you knew it Mary J Blige filled the room.
We passed the chopped vegetables and the chicken across to each other, singing along to the music in the background, a few laughs here and there at some joke my sister made.
From afar it seemed like we were the perfect little family and I must admit I was kind of grateful for these brief moments we had together. It kind of made me feel like I actually deserved to be happy and that maye life was worth living.
"Set the table, Andrea" my aunty said.
I grabbed the plates and cutlery from the rack and set the table as best as I could, the cutlery and the napkins all placed at the right places as my sister and aunty brought the dishes to the center of the dining table.
We all finally sat down and joined our hands together to say a prayer led by mother before digging into our food.
"So, how has business been at your little cake shop" aunty asked, her pitchy voice laced with condescension always referring to my bakery as a "Little cake shop" even after I had corrected her multiple times
"Business has been picking up at my Bakery actually," I paused,"I got a gig to cater for a small wedding last week." I said, instantly regretting that I mentioned the wedding part.
"A wedding huh, must have brought back memories."she sniggered, but I just ignored her picking at the carrots and onions on my plate.
"Your mother tells me you've been going on little dates, does that mean you'll finally be moving out soon" she asked
"It was one date Aunty and no I won't be moving out" I paused " At Least not anything time soon"
"Well It must be hard for you to find a date and everything, seeing that you're, you know… divorced and all"
"Aunty stop" Susan warned.
"Thank you so much for worrying about me but I'll be fine Aunty."
The rest of the night was awkward and everyone was quiet except for the occasional passing of plates where only a few words were uttered.
Susan dropped her plate in the sink and wished me good night
I pulled my mum aside to ask her the question that had been bothering me ever since that night.
"Why did his mum want him to go on a date so badly?" she looked at me with that look in her eyes, whenever she knew I was up to no good.
"I don't know" she shrugged "All I know was that she seemed desperate when she asked me I knew a lady around his age that would like to go on a date."
"Clear the dishes before you go to bed." she called out as she went to her room.
I don't know what got into to me but all I know is that the next thing I knew my finger was hovering over his name on my phone and I was typing out a message
Me: Wanna meet up