Page 47 of About That Night

Conway nods, face red.

Fortunately, Nevaeh knocks right then and opens the door. “Hey, can we come in?”

“Absolutely, welcome,” Hank says. “Thanks for coming.”

Conway goes over to greet them since Hank is up to his eyeballs in oysters.

Parker is behind Nevaeh, smiling, and they both look at each other briefly with a smile before turning to the rest of us. Josiah runs over to Nevaeh and hugs her leg. She introduces him to Parker, who offers him a high five. He hesitates, but then raises his palm.

I sip my Coke and watch Hank. “What are you doing to those?” I ask. “What am I looking at?”

“Patience, girl. I want to explain what we’ve got to everyone all at once.”

“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to distract you.” I watch him melt some butter on the stove, doing that enviable pan shake that people who know their way around the kitchen do. “Can I help? I realize I’m no sous chef, but I can dab your brow or something.”

Hank laughs. “Now there’s a goal in life—my own personal brow dabber.”

I turn so I can meet Parker. “Hi, I’m Chastity.”

She nods with a smile. “Parker.”

“Thanks for joining us.”

“I have to admit, I’m excited. I actually love oysters.”

Hank gives her a smile. “Alright. That’s what I want to hear. I’m Hank Young, nice to meet you.”

“You too. What have we got here?” She adjusts her trucker hat and eyes the spread Hank has sprawled across his island.

“I gotta church it up, and then I’m ready for y’all’s honest opinions.”

“Church it up?” Nevaeh asks. “How do you do that?”

“Presentation. Make sure it’s Sunday best, you know? All cleaned up.”

“Can I get you two a drink?” Conway asks Nevaeh and Parker.

“What goes with oysters?” Nevaeh asks.

“You need something bitter and a little citrus,” Hank tells her. “How about a gin martini with lemon? Or wait, even better idea. A michelada. It’s a light beer with hot sauce, Worcestershire, tomato juice, lime, and celery salt.”

“What?” Parker looks impressed. “I have never heard of that, but if it has hot sauce, sign me up.”

“It’s a perfect complement and not too much alcohol. Anyone else want one?”

Nevaeh looks at me, and I give her an encouraging smile. “Go ahead. I’ll drive. I’ll stick with Coke.” I don’t drink often and I never have in front of Josiah, so I’m happy with my soft drink.

“I’ll make the drinks,” Conway says. “It’s kind of my thing. So, four?”

Josiah runs over and hugs my leg. “Can I have one?”

“Those drinks are for the adults.”

“How about tomato juice?” Hank asks me.

Josiah gives me an eager nod, even though I strongly suspect he will not like tomato juice. He doesn’t even like spaghetti sauce.

I pick him up so he can see Hank cooking and Conway fixing the drinks.

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