Page 68 of Rebound

The apartment is pandemonium when I get home from work. The kitchen’s a mess while mom cooks. Jasmine is in her usual play area in the corner of the living room. June Bug is sitting on the floor with her playing Barbies. Donna is at the counter munching on chips and dip someone set out. I look around the place and find Seth on the patio. He has the phone to his ear, and from the way he rolls his eyes to the sky, I’m certain he’s talking to his father.

Then something changes in his eyes, and I’m no longer certain who’s on the other line. I see a side of him I’ve never seen before. I’ve never known him to be angry. Most days he’s playful with some mischievousness thrown in. I’ve seen him annoyed. Annoyed at me for judging him, annoyed at his life’s circumstances, but never angry. He yanks the phone from his ear and ends the call. When he’s done, he tosses the phone on a chair.

While everyone is distracted, I open the sliding glass door and step outside. His back is to me, but I know he must hear me close the door. He doesn’t look my way when I clear my throat, so I approach and rest my hand between his shoulder blades.

“What happened? Was that your dad?” He hangs his head and runs his hands through over his head.

“Nah. That was Jasmine’s grandmother.” He lets out a little laugh that lacks any amusement. “She heard about my marriage and called to give me the riot act. She asked the Lord to forgive her and proceeded to call me all kinds of names. Threatened to come and get her granddaughter and raise her right because that whore I married will lead to nothing but destruction. Then she went on about Sodom and Gomorrah and that you’ll turn into a pillar of salt. After that, she quoted Revelations and compared you to the Whore of Babylon or something. I’m not sure.”

It takes me a few moments for his words to register. “What?” I ask. “She called me a whore? A pillar of salt and The Whore of Babylon? Did you remind her we live in Manhattan?” When he nods, I throw my head back and let out a hearty laugh. I laugh so hard, I have to hold my stomach. Seth finally laughs too. He sits at the small table and chairs, takes my wrist, and tugs me onto his lap.

“I told her to kiss my ass and never call me again.”

“What the hell is that woman’s problem?” I ask. “And what makes her think she has the right to tell you what to do with your own kid?”

“She said I stole Jasmine from her, and she’s the only one who can save her from destruction.”

I roll my eyes at that. “Oh, boy. Anyway, forget about that,” I say. “I talked to Vickie today, and you won’t believe this.” I lower my voice. My heart is still racing from the conversation. “I had Jeannie text her to ask about places they’ve vacationed with their kids. They’re going to a resort in Tuscany in a few weeks and said that we should join them.” I put both hands to my head. “That’s in Italy,” I whisper.

He stares at me with a small smile on his face. “I know where Tuscany is,” he says. “Does that dumbfounded look on your face mean you want to go?” I widen my eyes at him for askingme such a stupid question. “We’ll go, but no worshipping at the cult of Vickie.”

I grab his bicep and pinch him. “Hells yes, I want to go. What kind of stupid question is that?” I stand and clap my hands together. “I need to get a passport, and Vickie says I can get it expedited. Oh my god.” He tugs me back on his lap and kisses me before I can say another word. He wraps his arm around me, and I give in to the kiss, opening my mouth for him. “And I can’t promise not to worship her. I kinda love her,” I whisper before I kiss him again.

“That’s more like it,” he says against my mouth. We kiss like that for a long time, and I forget about the house full of people or the delicious-smelling dinner my mom is cooking. That is, until someone taps on the other side of the sliding glass door.

We end the kiss just as Donna slips out the door. Jasmine runs behind her with a Barbie in each hand. Seth picks her up and puts her on his other leg. Mom and June Bug also join us, but June Bug is carrying a tray of cocktails.

“Margaritas,” my mom proudly announces, “and apple juice for my grandbaby.” She gives Jasmine her cup and she throws her dolls on the floor so her hands are free to take it.

“Well, well, well,” Donna says. “Have you looked at our girl, Stella?” She grabs my chin and turns my face from side to side as if she’s inspecting me. “This is what getting some on the regular looks like. She’s glowing.” I pull my chin away and feel a blush spread across my body. Seth’s chuckling doesn’t help, so I take a drink and put the straw to my mouth.

Big mistake. I’ve forgotten how strong my mom makes her drinks, but I’m so excited about our vacation plans that I decide I’m going to enjoy tonight with my family.

“Stop embarrassing my baby,” my mom says in my defense, but she holds her glass up and clinks with Donna. They thenhold their glasses up to Seth who picks up his glass and the three of them clink together.

“Moms, enough,” I admonish.

“Yes, enough,” June Bug says. “Let’s eat. I’m hungry and I want to go see Gaga before visiting hours are over.”

Chapter 41

Seth

June Bug never makes it to go see Gaga. Each time he tries to leave, Jasmine throws herself on the floor and cries. So, he stays and plays Barbies with her. The house is loud, and I never thought I’d like that. My house was always loud too. The television was always on full blast. During the day, there were game shows and soap operas, and everyone was living the life my father wasn’t. In the evenings, there was always some sitcom or drama about families. That’s the irony. Always some sitcom about the perfect TV family. I was either in my room or out. He never cared.

But having the house loud with family members sharing a meal, talking, and laughing is different. I love it, and in this short time, I don’t see how I ever lived without it. Even June Bug was pleasant tonight and didn’t threaten me once. Jasmine didn’t eat in her highchair. Instead, she was passed around from lap to lap, and everyone fed and doted on her. They laughed and praised everything she did. The only blight on the dinner was when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I was prepared to ignore it, but instead of Barbara calling, it was my dad.

“You two relax,” Donna says. “Me and Stell will clean up and put the kitchen back together. We want to start doing Sundayfamily dinners. We’ll take turns hosting, but we need to start back again.”

“Again?” I ask.

“We always did it,” Layla says. “Donna and my mom would take turns hosting, but when Gaga got sick, we stopped. You think we can host here?” she whispers, and I don’t like the question. “Why are you frowning?”

“This is your home. Of course we can host. You can do whatever you want here. You don’t have to ask.” She’s the only woman I would ever say that to. I trusted her before she moved in here, but this is working out better than I thought. Not just with her, but with her family as well.

“This Sunday,” she announces. “Here. We’ll cook.” Everyone nods as if it’s decided. “June Bug, come early so you can help us. Mom, make some more drinks.”

They don’t leave until almost eleven o’clock. More drinks turned into dessert which turned into everyone talking and laughing at once. Phones were brought out, and I was bombarded with pictures of Layla from infancy to adulthood. There was a story with every picture, and I found myself laughing for most of the night. Of course, that means Jasmine’s routine was pushed back because she wouldn’t leave June Bug alone and she had a fit when Layla took her away to bathe her.

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