Him and I

Two - Family Dinner

Cassiopeia Odette.
The Capital Grille

July 1st, 2021
7:00pm

I quickly walk into the restaurant and wait at the hostess desk

"Do you have a reservation?" the hostess looks up from her binder and smiles at me

"Yea, it should be under Rutherford"

"Okay" she looks down at her book before glancing up at me "Oh, yes. You're company is already here, follow me"

I follow her to a private backroom, she opens the door and lets me walk in. My mom and dad sit at a large circular table with two tall men and a white woman.

The one sat next to my father looks vaguely familiar. He has a shiny brown egg head, with wild eyes accented by crows feet. When he notices me, he flashes me a wide, yellow toothed grin and nudges the boy next to him.

Startled, the boy looks up from his phone to glance at me. He's light skinned with caramel colored curls that come down the to cover the rim of his sunglasses. I instantly recognize him and begin to panic as my cheeks warm. I try to push the panic down and shift my gaze

Next to him, sits an older white lady with blonde hair and a bright smile plastered on her face.

"Hi," I greet my mom and dad with a hug and kiss and offer a smile to the family before taking the only seat left, between mom and the boy.

"You're late, dear" my mother informs

"Yea, sorry. I got stuck in traffic" I apologize with a small smile and look around the table

"Dee! Long time no see, girl" Lavar speaks loudly and confidently

"Too long," I could've gone my whole life without speaking to this family again. Not that I have anything against them, I just didn't ever feel comfy around them. They were all sweet but I just didn't click with the boys. So loud and obnoxious. I remember the days when I was forced to spent time at their house I would hide upstairs in a guest room and read a book.

"Dee, I'm sure you remember my good friend, Lavar" my speaks "And his wife, Tina. As well as their youngest son, Lamelo"

"I do, hello everyone" I smile

"Hey, Dee" Melo smirks at me

"Hi," I push out

"I didn't know we would be seeing you guys tonight, what's the special occasion?" I ask as politely as possible. My parents had only informed me that "we" were going out to dinner tonight. I thought "we" meant just me, mom, and dad but I guess not.

"Ain't no way," Melo face palms and snickers beside me

"We're gonna get to that" Mom rubs my arm and sips her drink

"You're blushing, love. Relax, okay?" she whispers while planting a kiss on my head

I gently shrug her off and begin looking over the menu

"Dee?" Tina calls. I look up and offer her a polite smile

"Yes ma'am?"

"You look gorgeous" she compliments "Big glow up"

"Emphasis on big," Melo mumbles quiet enough that only I hear

"Thank you, Tina. That's so sweet" I smile "I'm glad to here you talking more"

"And you shouldn't be talkin, you had a major glow down sir" I lean closer to Melo and speak quietly

"Man, you tweakin" he shakes his head