Page 23 of Without Me (Men of Inked 5)
11
Crystal Ball
“What are you so damn happy about?” Mike asked from across the table as I stole a glance at my cell phone.
“I’m not happy. I’m always like this.”
I knew that it was bullshit. I usually was a cranky fucker. Typically, I had a headache or not enough sleep and my siblings would make me crazy. At the shop, I could busy myself with something to keep my mind occupied, but sitting at my parents’ made it impossible to ignore them.
Max had softened since she’d told me about her illness, and things were smoother. She hadn’t thrown me out, either. We talked whenever we had a chance and texted throughout the day. We took turns sleeping at the other’s house at least every couple of days. When Sunday had finally arrived, I’d begged her to come to my family’s house for dinner, but she’d said that she couldn’t make it.
“You’re happy. You keep smiling every time you look in your lap. Find something down there finally?”
“Shut up, Mikey.” I glared at him, but I didn’t feel the anger behind the look. Things were too good right now to be pissed off about anything.
“Get the shit straightened out with the girl?” Thomas asked as he grabbed a piece of garlic bread.
“I think so,” I replied, hoping that everyone had been too busy eating to hear what he’d asked.
“A girl?” Ma asked as she stopped eating.
There went the hope that no one had heard. Ma had girlfriend radar, with her overeagerness to be a grandmother many times over. Thanks to Thomas, I was now on it after having remained free and clear for years.
Even though I wanted to lie to Ma, I couldn’t. Plus, she’d see through any fib I told. “Yeah,” I answered as I placed a forkful of eggplant parmigiana in my mouth. As I chewed, I saw everyone looking at each other before their eyes fell on me. “What?” I asked with a garbled voice.
My mother corrected her previous question. “As in a girlfriend?”
There was no reason to hold back. Soon, I wanted to bring her to dinner, and it would be better if the shit hit the proverbial fan now instead of in front of her.
I sipped my water, washing down the food in my mouth and making them wait for my answer. They stared at me as they patiently waited for my reply.
“Yes, she’s my girlfriend.”
“So, you’re not gay?” Ma asked as her mouth hung open and the entire table erupted into laughter.
“What?” I replied.
Honestly, I could see her point. I was the only one in the family who’d never had a significant other, and I sure as hell never talked in front of my parents about any of the women I banged.
“I mean, it’s okay if you are, sweetie. I’ll still love you. Don’t be ashamed of who you are,” Ma said as she gave me a very serious look. It was the type of look she’d used when we had been kids and tried to lie. She’d lull us into a sense of security to get us to confess.
“Ma, I am not gay.” I shook my head, feeling my face turn red.
“If you say so, honey.” Ma smiled at me and the laughter grew louder.
“I’m happy everyone is getting a kick out of this,” I said as I stabbed at my eggplant.
Ma wiped her lips, laying the napkin back in her lap before she looked at me. “Anthony, you’re the only one who hasn’t brought someone home. As the oldest, I thought you’d be married with children by now. Hell, I’ve never, ever heard you talk about a girl.”
“Listen, just because I don’t kiss and tell doesn’t mean I haven’t had women.”
“Lord has he,” Izzy interjected before starting to laugh again.
“Izzy,” I said, shooting a “shut the fuck up” glare in her direction. “Ma, I’ve just never met anyone who was worthy of meeting the family.”
“That’s silly,” Ma replied as she started to play with the food on her plate.
“I’m not gay, I’ve had women, and I have a girlfriend. Are we clear? I just want to make sure everyone has their details correct.”
“Bro, chill out,” Joe said.
“I am, Joe. Cool as a cucumber.” I placed a forkful of food in my mouth because I knew another question was coming. Nothing in this family was quick or easy.
“Same girl you mentioned before?” Izzy asked as she drew her lips into her mouth, trying to stop her laughter.
I nodded, unable to talk with so much food in my mouth.
“Things change since the last time we talked?” Thomas asked as he stared at me.
Between bites, I said, “Yeah.”
“Tell us about her, Anthony. Stop holding out on me,” Ma demanded.
“For you, Ma, anything. I met her a while ago, but we were just friends.”
“With benefits,” Mike mumbled.
I scowled at him before I began to speak again. “It took us a while to get on the same page. She wasn’t too keen on the idea of dating. I’m hoping to bring her with me next weekend.”
“Thank would be lovely, Anthony. Who is she?” Ma asked as she set her fork down, giving me her full attention.
“I’m sure there are better things to talk about. I can tell you later, Ma.”
“No.” Izzy shook her head and waved her hand over the table. “We all want to hear this, Mr. I Hate Everything About Relationships. Do tell.”
I mouthed the word “traitor” at Izzy before turning my attention to Ma. “Her name is Maxine, but I call her Max. She’s a stylist or something like that. Has a little shop down in Tampa.”
“I love her already,” Izzy said, tilting her head.
“She’s black,” I blurted out like it mattered, even though I knew it didn’t.
“And?” Pop asked nonchalantly as if I’d divulged a secret that weren’t so secret or important.
“Just throwing it out there,” I replied as I sucked in air. I had known they wouldn’t give a shit, but I wanted the information out there from the get-go.
“I don’t care if she’s blue,” Ma said. “Tell me more about her. Why haven’t you brought her over sooner?”
“Did you think we’d care about the color of her skin, son?” Pop asked with a raised eyebrow.
Where should I even begin in my explanation? “No, no. I knew you wouldn’t care. It’s complicated,” I replied, because it was the truth.
Ma crossed her arms and tilted her head as her eyes bore
d into me. “All relationships are. Who at this table had an easy relationship?”
“Joe and Suzy,” I offered, because they’d had that insta-love thing.
“Hell no,” Joe interrupted.
“Anthony,” Suzy said as she stopped eating for a moment. She must’ve had something important to say, because Suzy hadn’t stopped eating since she’d become pregnant. “Your brother and I didn’t have an easy love. Mostly because I was an idiot. But it wasn’t easy. He was just persistent.” She giggled, glancing at Joe and winking.
I slouched back in my chair, trying to remember what happened back then. It felt like ages ago, even though not even a couple of years had passed.
“I guess,” I said as I shrugged.
“I’m still waiting to hear why you haven’t brought her here for dinner,” Ma said.
“We weren’t dating a couple of weeks ago. She didn’t want a boyfriend and she sure as hell didn’t want me.”
“Ah, another one like you,” Mike mumbled.
“Yes, another one like me, but for different reasons. I just didn’t want to be led by the balls like everyone at the table.” I laughed, slapping the table. No one else was laughing with me. “You know what I mean,” I added, feeling a little embarrassed.
“So now your balls are in the hands of another,” Izzy said with a satisfied look on her face.
“Yes.” I sighed, knowing I’d succumbed and become one of the sappy fuckers who’d do anything for the woman they loved.
“Why wouldn’t she want to date you? You’re such a handsome man with a kind heart,” Ma said as she frowned.
“Ma, I’m not. I mean, I am a handsome devil, but kind? Most women would never use that word to describe me.” I smiled at her. “Max had reasons to not want to be in a relationship. Plus, she said I was an asshole.”
“Oh, I really like her,” Izzy muttered with the fork of pasta resting on her lips.
“She called you that?” Ma asked.
I nodded but kept the smile plastered to my face. “I am, though. I mean, I was. I have a reputation that follows me.”
I wasn’t ashamed of it. It cut down on the bullshit. I didn’t have to go into a long spiel about not wanting a relationship. Women knew and I never promised more.
“I thought I raised you better than that,” Ma added with a tone of judgment.
“Ma, I didn’t treat the women badly. I gave them what they wanted and took what I needed. I never promised more.”
“Dirty bird,” Pop chimed in, with a small laugh.
Ma glanced at him and shot him a warning glance. “Sal.”
“What? There’s no reason for the boy to be tied down, Mar.”
