Page 45 of About That Night

I give a little laugh. “Go for it.”

“I don’t have the little machine, though. Come on, let’s go.” She reaches out and loops her arm through mine and tugs me away from the mirror. “It’s just hanging out. With the promise of good food. Or at least food.”

“Hank is a great chef. It will be great food.”

“You’re so cute when you’re denying your feelings.”

I don’t even bother to respond because I am denying my feelings.

Instead, I change the subject. “Thanks for agreeing to go to the preschool with me tomorrow. I’m nervous, but I’m excited for Josiah too. He wants to play with other kids.”

Now that we’re settled into Porte French, I’m going to a preschool to meet the director and the teachers so that hopefully Josiah can join the class in two weeks. I need to stop relying on Nevaeh so much and let her have her own time to work and socialize. Plus, I know it’s the right thing for my son. He needs the social development.

“I’m happy to go with you and make sure everything feels right. I know it’s hard, but it’s the right thing to do for Josiah, Mama. I’m proud of you.”

That makes me feel better. I cuddle against her shoulder as we head down the hall, needing a hug. “Thank you. I do feel good about it when I’m not feeling like I’m going to throw up.” I laugh. “God, I didn’t know it was possible to be any more broke than I am, but I guess I’m about to be.”

“It will work out. Once I'm working, I’ll start paying rent, and then it’s all a wash.”

Right now, she’s living with me for free because she watches Josiah.

“You’re right.” I release her and hold my hand out to Josiah, who promptly ignores it. Yeah, he’s ready for preschool and to spread his wings a little. “Things are pretty great, actually.”

Once we get to Hank’s, Nevaeh waits outside for Parker to arrive so they can meet in person for the first time privately. I go into the building and up the stairs with Josiah. When I knock on the door, Conway opens it, which reminds me this is nothing to feel weird about. It’s not a date.

It’s friends hanging out.

“Hey, Chastity, how’s it going?” Conway gives me a hug, then holds his hand out to Josiah. “You must be Josiah. Nice to meet you.”

Josiah looks up at Conway, who is a big man, then me, and nervously holds onto my leg. “It’s okay, you can shake his hand. But you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“That’s what men do when they greet each other,” Conway says. He gives Josiah a warm smile.

“I’m just a boy,” Josiah tells him.

Conway laughs. “Fair enough.” He drops his hand. “Come on in, y’all. Hank is firing up the grill.” He holds the door open for us and gestures for us to enter.

“Thanks, Conway.” I usher Josiah in and drop my backpack on the floor. I packed snacks for my son in case he thumbs his nose at oysters and toys if he gets bored.

This is my second time in his apartment, but I can look around more openly this time. I like Hank’s style. It’s similar to his place in New Orleans. Comfortable furniture, but high quality, lots of books on shelves and art on the walls. He has houseplants too, and a living herb wall in his kitchen.

“It smells amazing in here.”

“That’s probably the parmesan. He has oysters in the oven broiling right now, then he’s planning to grill some on the half-shell, too. And maybe something else, who knows?”

I can see Hank through a slider door out on a deck that is small and precarious, in front of an ancient grill. “Is that deck safe?”

Conway shrugs. “I have no idea.”

And that is the difference between growing up as an only child with older, overprotective parents, and being one of seven kids. None of the Young kids ever seemed overly concerned about safety, and that apparently has carried into adulthood. Then there is me, who is afraid of popping balloons. Alcohol was the only thing that emboldened me as a teenager.

“Do you want your Spider-Man?” I ask Josiah.

He nods, so I unzip the backpack and pull out his action figure. He takes it and runs off to flop on the couch, talking to Spider-Man.

“Can I get you a drink?” Conway asks.

“Can’t quit bartending even when you’re off?” I ask with a smile.

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