Page 64 of Take Two

“Mama, I’m a grown man,” I remind her.

“I know how old you are.”

“Then why are you embarrassin’ me?” I ask.

“Don’t worry about me embarrassin’ you. Just make sure you don’t embarrassme. Now, let me say hello to Violet’s family.”

I bristle at that. I expected an interrogation tomorrow, but I never expected a phone call and a request to talk to her family. “How can I embarrass you? I will not put them on thephone—”

My words die in my throat because Terri gets closer and waves at the screen.

“I’m Terri. I’m the sister,” she says. Miles comes next, followed by Wanda.

“Is that the guy who plays basketball,” her mom asks, grinning. “He looks different online.”

“No!” Johnny says.

“I’m Wanda. I’m the mom.”

“Charlie, honey, give the phone to Wanda so the two of us can talk alone.”

“Mama,” I hiss, “this is out of line.”

“Charlie, what did I say? Give her the phone.”

Violet and Terri both chuckle. I feel color creep up my neck. I know one thing. I’m going to have a talk with my mother as soon as I can get her alone.

“Yes, ma’am.” I hand Wanda the phone, and she goes to a far corner of the house. Miles follows. “Who wants a cappuccino?” I ask. I get no response, but I decide to make one for everyone.

Violet stands next to me and grins. “You can’t dump me,” I order. “You knew I was a mama’s boy from the beginnin’.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she says. She gets on her toes and kisses my cheek. That’s not enough for me. I cup her face and give her a soft kiss on the lips.

A few minutes later, Wanda returns and hands me the phone. “I invited them over for coffee tonight,” she announces. “Your brother agreed before I could even finish my sentence.”

“Really?” I ask. “He was there when you talked to Mama?”

“He sure was. He asked all types of questions. I think he was fishing for an invitation,” Wanda whispers. “He’s almost as charming as you but not quite. You’re still my favorite. They’re even bringing their kids.” Wanda pinches my cheek, and I smile at her.

“Um, Terri?” Violet says. “Would you mind going to the store to get some ice cream? We can make milkshakes for the kids, maybe?”

Colt will hate that. He always grumbles when I give the boys sugary snacks. “Great idea,” I say. “Get chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.” I look at Violet, and she nods, and I think she knows exactly what I’m up to. I lean down and say, “I made you sugar cookies earlier. I have them hidden, but how would you feel if I put them out? I’ll make you more tomorrow.”

“I’ll get a platter, and then I’m going to go find a spider as big as your brother’s head.”

It takes them less than twenty minutes to knock on the door. Terri beats them back by a few minutes. Colt walks in, bigger than life, with Johnny strapped to his chest. As soon as he puts him down, Johnny comes and hugs my legs. He’s like the Energizer Bunny as he runs around the apartment. Evan follows him down the hall and brings him back.

I put on a cartoon for them, and they sit on the couch. Violet’s dad looks at my brother in awe, but Wanda and Terri don’t seem all that impressed by him. Mama puts her arm through mine and puts her head on my forearm.

“I’m so happy for you,” she whispers.

“Then why are you embarrassin’ me so much?” I ask with a chuckle. I know why. She never got to do this with me the way she did with Colt. Colt had all the rites of passage I didn’t have, and Mama doesn’t care that now I’m an adult. She’s going to treat me like a kid.

“Mamas can never embarrass their kids. Wanda, you want to see some pictures of Charlie as a boy?” She pulls out her phone and walks away. The two moms put their heads together.

“You boys want milkshakes?” I ask.

“Chocolate!” Evan yells. “Thanks, Uncle Charlie.”

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