Page 39 of Sweet Love From Saturn

“Y’all leaving already?”

“Yes. It’s getting late and we need to be up early tomorrow to get everything ready,” my mother explained.

“It’s only seven-thirty. The event doesn’t start until eleven tomorrow morning.”

“Now you know this old man isn’t staying up past nine these days. You don’t want me out here snoring in front of all these people. Plus, me and your mother still have a few last-minute things we need to get done before the event starts.”

“Like what?” I questioned.

As far as I knew, my parents would be there tomorrow to support me, but I hadn’t asked them to do anything. Tiffany had already made the shirts and my celebration was tonight. Nothing came to mind that they had to help with.

“You’ll see tomorrow, sweetheart. Just know your mother and I are proud of you. You’ve blossomed into a woman who has far exceeded our expectations. Your grandmother would be so happy right now.”

Tears threatened to fall as I listened to my dad talk about my grandmother. Grief snuck up on me every now and again, but I was sure these tears were also brought on by all the liquor I consumed tonight.

“Girl, if you don’t wipe those tears. May would not want you crying at a time like this,” my mom said as she brought me into a hug.

“What’s wrong with my sister?”

“Boy, don’t be coming over here with all that hollering. Saturn is fine. We were over here talkin’ about May and you know how she gets when your grandmother is brought up,” my mother explained to Aaron.

“You good, sis? You supposed to be turning up. Stop being a crybaby,” he teased.

“I’m good, I’m good. Just had a moment. I’m gonna walk them to the car then freshen up.”

After saying my goodbyes to my parents, I went into my bathroom to wash and moisturize my face. By the time I washeading to the backyard, Mccoy’s parents were on their way out. They assured me that they’d be at the competition tomorrow bright and early, which I appreciated. Aaron was in the middle of hooking his phone up to the Bluetooth speaker when I heard my name being called. When I looked over my shoulder, Stacey stood by the back door with her purse in one hand and a red Solo cup in the other. She and Tiffany had been going shot for shot earlier and the proof was in her eyes.

“Hey. Everything okay?”

“Yes, girl, I’m fine. I just wanted to ask if it was okay if I stayed for the afterparty. I see all the young people are still here and your brother pulled out a brand-new bottle of Don Julio,” she explained, making us both laugh.

“Of course you can stay, girl. Are you okay with spending the night? I don’t want Mccoy driving after he’s been drinking.”

“That’s fine with me. All I need is a cover and I’ll make shit happen with one of your couches.”

Before I could respond, Stacey was making her way back to Tiffany.

“Did you talk to my sister? She was looking for you before I walked my parents out,” Mccoy stated as he came out of the backdoor.

“I talked to her. She just wanted to know if she could stay over.”

“She told me. I told her it was fine, but I wanted her to ask you anyway.”

“Your family is welcome anytime.”

“Thank you, baby,” he responded before kissing my lips.

“Ay, man...can y’all wait until we leave to do all that kissing shit?” Aaron yelled jokingly.

“You might as well get used to it, bruh. The only time I’m not all on your sister is when we’re apart. Close your eyes next time.”

“Man, whatever. Y’all asses be hugged up like you just came home from war. Whole time, all you did was go take a piss.”

When everyone laughed at Aaron’s statement, Mccoy and I couldn’t help but join in. Since I knew it was playful banter, I didn’t feel disrespected. Taking my seat next to Ava, I saw she was pouring her and Sapphire a shot.

“Here, friend. Your ass needs to take one. Those weak ass wine coolers you been sippin’ ain’t hittin’ on shit,” Ava said as she slid the shot in front of me. “The only reason I didn’t call you out earlier is because I had to act like I had some sense. I couldn’t be doing too much in front of your parents and in-laws.”

“Girl, I was trying to enjoy my party. Not be in the room asleep because I’m drunk,” I said with laughter.

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