Page 59 of Friend Zoned

“Jean? Is that you?” A man, who I’m assuming is her father, asks. I hear footsteps coming down the hall, and when he approaches, he hugs her and kisses both her cheeks. When he pulls away, he winks at her, and she winks back. “Oh, wow. Who is the giant with the long hair?” He points at me, puts both hands on his hips, and cranes his neck to look up.

“Giant? What giant?” I recognize her mother’s voice shouting from the other room. She walks down the hall and comes to a full stop when she sees me. Her eyes widen, and she looks down at our joined hands. She tilts her head to the side and arches an eyebrow. I do the same. “Oh. That giant.” She puts her hands on her hips too. “I know him.”

Jeannie sighs, and I don’t know if I should laugh or flee, but since she invited me here, I’m going to stay. I offer her father my free hand, and he takes it, giving me a firm shake.

“Wow. He’s tall,” he says. He pushes his glasses up and looks at me up and down again.

“Aiden, you remember my mother, Myra. Mom, this is Aiden from the wedding. Papa, meet Aiden.”

He lets out a loud whistle and continues to stare. Myra offers me her hand, and for the first time, smiles at me.

“You call me Al,” her dad says.

“Welcome, Aiden,” Myra says, her Caribbean accent thick. “Take his coat, Jeannie.” I let go of her hand and remove my coat. Jeannie takes it from me and opens a small closet. “Daughter, why you don’t tell me you have boyfriend now? And his hair is longer than yours.” Myra surprises me when she reaches up and brushes a piece of my hair off my shoulder. “I don’t know why you got that haircut,” she says to Jeannie. “I guess this tall one is nice. No tattoos like that other one.”

I make sure to pull my sleeves down so nothing will show, but Jeannie seems unbothered while she huffs at her mother.

“She says she doesn’t like tattoos, but I think she does.” Al elbows me in the ribs. “I’m going to get her face right here.” He lifts his shirt and pats his big belly. Jeannie quickly pulls his shirt down, but he playfully slaps her hands away. “This one’s belly is too flat.” He taps my stomach. “He doesn’t eat enough. Myra will fix that.”

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” Jeannie says to me. “Can we act normal, please?” She stares at her father who only shrugs.

“Leave your father alone, Jeannie,” Myra admonishes. Then she looks into my eyes and asks, “Did Jeannie tell you about the bonehead?”

“Mom!” Jeannie says.

Myra waves her off and gestures for us to follow her into the kitchen. Jeannie looks a lot like her mom, but she does have her dad’s eyes. She’s also taller than both of her parents. When we get to the kitchen, Myra pulls out a chair and tells me to sit. I do, and Jeannie takes the seat next to me. Her father stands to the side and leans against the kitchen counter. It’s about ten degrees hotter in this room, and despite the chilly weather outside, I’m glad I took off my jacket.

“Who is the bonehead?” I ask, but I’m pretty sure I know who she’s talking about.

“Yes, he knows I’m divorced,” Jeannie says. “Maybe I should just get a scarlet letter,” she whispers in my ear.

“I introduced you to the guy with the good brain,” Myra says to her daughter. Jeannie sighs and rolls her eyes. “But you are nice too,” she says, giving me the side eye.

“Thank you.” I give her my best smile. “I am very nice.” I lean over and kiss Jeannie’s cheek.

“And Aiden’s brain works fine,” Jeannie says in my defense.

“We’ll see,” Myra says. “But the football players are richer.”

Al chuckles.

“Mom,” Jeannie warns.

“Well, Mrs. Dubois, I’m rich too.”

She smirks as if she doesn’t fully believe me.

“On the same level as the football players?”

“No, definitely not on the same level,” I say.

She waves a dismissive hand, “You can call me Myra. Jeannie, go to the basement and get the sodas.”

Jeannie’s eyes narrow at her mother, and she purses her lips.

“Aiden doesn’t drink soda, and I don’t want any either.”

“I drink it sometimes.” I don’t, and I know Jeannie doesn’t believe me, but I also know her mother wants to talk to me alone.

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