Page 111 of Game Change

“Amira’s older sister. She’s a huge bitch,” Brynne says. “Let’s get you a drink because you’re gonna need it.” She takes my hand and leads me to the bar. Raven follows.

Along the way, we bump into a group of people who are chatting with Amira. After hugging us, she says, “Let me introduce you. This is my Aunt Michelle, Uncle Cal, my cousin Solange, and her husband, Kirby. These are my best friends, Raven and Brynne. And this is Brynne’s fiancé Colin, and also my friend.”

We all shake hands, and the group seems happy, if a little uneasy at being there. Amira’s happy smile fades when two other surly looking women join us. One is older, and the younger one is a replica of the older. They both resemble Amira, so I assume they're related.

“Colin, this is my mom, Karen, and my sister, Ashley.”

“I can’t believe you picked this stupid restaurant,” Ashley says. She doesn’t bother to greet any of us. I don’t miss the dirty looks she throws at the other people we just met.

“Amira, we’re gonna go,” the man named Cal says. “We just wanted to drop by and wish you a happy birthday. Why don’t you come by the house tomorrow for brunch?”

“Please stay,” Amira says.

“Yes, stay,” Amira’s father, Whit says. He puts an arm across her shoulders, and I notice Ashley rolls her eyes. “Amira wants you to, and it’s her night. Doesn’t she look pretty?” Amira blushes at the compliment.

“My girl slays,” Raven says, giving Amira a high five.

“Isn’t that some old dress?” Ashley asks. “The one you were too fat for? Did you get it altered?”

The section goes quiet, and Ashley smirks at the insult. Amira looks down, clearly embarrassed.

“Ashley,” her father admonishes.

“She’s been going through a rough time,” her mother says in Ashley’s defense.

“You look beautiful, Amira,” Brynne says. Amira is in a dress with a red top and a loose, black and white checkered skirt that reaches her knees. It has a nineteen-fifties vintage look. “And anyone who says otherwise is jealous.”

“Yeah. Jealous.” Ashley laughs. “You aren’t going to dance tonight, are you, Amira?”

“You know what?” Raven hands me her purse and steps toward Ashley, who steps back. “Why don’t you—”

“Let’s go get a drink.” Amira takes Raven’s hand and pulls her to the bar. We follow. “My therapist says she’s jealous of me,” Amira whispers. “We’re working on me speaking up, but I don’t want to ruin my party. She’s mad because her life is a mess and mine isn’t.”

“If that cow steps out of line one more time, I’m going to ruin this party by beating her ass,” Raven says.

Brynne slides her water to me, and I drink it all. She then wipes my forehead with her napkin and giggles at my inability to handle spicy food.

“I’ll just stick to eating you,” I whisper.

“Alright now,” Raven says. She raises her glass to us. “Oh, not again.” She elbows my ribs and points across the room. Ashley is now crying on her father’s shoulder. This is the fourth time she’s cried, but before that, she complained about the food and said she wanted Italian food, not Indian. Then she loudly talked about how this party was stupid and wants to do something else for her birthday. Raven and Brynne had both snorted and said they would bet money Ashley doesn’t have one friend who would come to any event she’s hosting.

Despite that, Amira seems to be having a good time. The more she talks and laughs, the angrier that seems to make her sister, and her scowls deepens whenever Amira talks to the group of people she introduced us to earlier.

Amira comes running into the room. “Guys,” she tries to whisper, but it’s obvious she’s had a few drinks. “Guess who’s here? Malcolm.” She puts her hands to her cheeks. “And he’s with his young twinkie.”

“A what?” I ask.

“A twinkie. That’s what my mom calls my dad’s girlfriend.” She looks around then lowers her voice. “I really like Dad’s girlfriend, but she didn’t come tonight, and I know it’s to avoid my mother and Ashley. I wish I could do the same.”

“Um, what does this woman look like?” And if it’s who I think it is, she better not call her that to his face.

“She looks young,” Amira says, outraged. “Gorgeous.” She straightens up. “Long hair, cute smile, and a dimpled chin. Like a Black Disney princess.” She almost sounds a little defeated by that admission.

I stand after that description. “I’ll be right back.” I kiss Brynne’s cheek and leave the room.

Chapter 58

Colin

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