Page 41 of Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend

“You did! I barely helped at all!”

“Did you see that?” he asked his mom.

Laila had a proud smile on her face. “You did amazing, honey!”

He turned back to me and said, “I want to try again.”

I nodded. “Whenever you’re ready.”

He did it a few more times with help, and then when he looked up, he grinned. “Everyone’s watching me.”

I glanced around seeing most of Henrietta’s family circled around the trampoline, except for her dad, who was still grilling, and her grandma, who was leaning against a support pole of the pergola.

I focused back on Kenner and said, “You’ve got this, buddy.” I scooted back to give him room, and he balled his little fists at his sides, pursing his lips with determination.

He jumped, swinging his arms to give him extra height, and then used all his force to propel himself forward. He tucked his head, and his hands barely skimmed the trampoline as he flipped over and landed on his bottom.

Everyone cheered as he scrambled up, and then he sprinted into my arms, squeezing me.

“Thank you!” he cried.

I grinned at him. “You did it all on your own, buddy.” I climbed off the trampoline and let him bask in all the congratulations and cheering happening around him. But then I felt a hand brush against my arm, and I looked to see Henrietta.

She still had A’yisha on her hip, clearly a natural with the littles in her family.

She smiled up at me, her eyes warm in the summer sun. “That was pretty heroic.”

“Nah.” I folded my arms over my chest to keep it from puffing up too big. “He was just scared—had to get out of his own way.” I thought of me, not asking her out yet. Now that I had her father’s permission... there was nothing holding me back. “Actually, speaking of being afraid—”

“Who’s ready for lunch?” Tam called. “Gotta eat some good cookin’ before we can have cake!”

“CAKE!” Kenner screamed, jumping off the trampoline and running past us.

Henrietta giggled at him, and the sound hit me straight in the chest. I loved her laugh. She nodded toward the table. “Let’s grab some food—before Bertrand eats all the deviled eggs.”

“Sounds like it’ll benefit us and Imani,” I said, making her laugh again. “We wouldn’t want her to call off the wedding due to excessive flatulence.”

“I’ll remind her to thank us later.” She walked across the grass beside me to the little outdoor kitchen area.

“Why don’t you let me hold A’yisha so you can get a plate?” I offered.

She seemed surprised by the gesture. “Are you sure? You are the guest.”

“And you’re the lady.” I extended my hands for her niece.

As she passed the little girl to me, Henrietta said, “If she starts crying, I can trade.”

“You think I’m incapable of handling a child?” I asked, eyebrows raised. I already had her tucked against my side. A’yisha fit easily into my arms, light as a feather and so soft. Instinctually, I put my nose to her crown, smelling her sweet baby smell. None of my siblings had children yet, but my friends who had always welcomed a break.

Hen looked me over for a moment before saying, “I’ll be right back.”

“How you doing, darling?” I asked A’yisha, smiling big.

She cooed back, and I put my hand up to cover my face. When I moved it away and made a face, she squealed happily. I did it a few more times before Henrietta came back holding two plates.

“I got one for you,” she said, holding up a plate packed to the brim with home cooking. I was more excited than I should admit to have food that wasn’t cooked in a borrowed kitchen or a restaurant. Plus, it smelled amazing with all those spices.

We sat beside each other at one of the folding tables, and Bertrand and Imani sat with us. Bertrand’s plate was half full of deviled eggs, and I nudged Hen’s leg under the table. As soon as I nodded toward his plate, she burst out laughing.

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