Page 81 of No One Like You

Megan had clearly been eavesdropping, because her voice floated in, saying, “Like vinegar-based barbeque sauce!”

“Girl! You know that is heresy! Mustard-based is the only proper form of barbeque sauce.” Tasha’s native South Carolina accent appeared in full force. She could hear Megan’s crystal clear laughter. Megan had known her for over fourteen years and knew just what pushing that particular button would do. Sophia looked confused.

“Munchkin, your mommy likes to tease your Mama Tasha by saying horrible, nasty things. But Mama Tasha is gonna get her back by teaching you the true form of barbeque. Once you’ve tasted a true South Carolina mustard-based barbeque sauce, you’ll know that anything else is just a cheap imitation of the real thing.”

“Okay, I trust you, Mama Tasha.”

“Good girl!”

“How come you don’t measure?”

“That’s a good question, munchkin. When you are first learning to make something, a recipe can be very helpful. But when you know something deep in your bones, like I know my chili, you can just feel it.”

“Wow… Can I cook like that?”

“One day, angel, you will. You did so good with that lasagna! Practice some more and get comfortable in the kitchen. You’ll get there. Cooking is a good skill to have. I’ve had to feed myself for years and being able to cook has made that much better.”

I’m going to teach you everything, little angel, because you are family now.

Tasha smiled at Sophia and she returned it with an impish grin.

Lunch was chili over rice, with cheese and sour cream. It was delicious, and Megan promised to show Sophia how she made chili, because she liked to add cinnamon and cocoa to hers.

After lunch, it was off to roller derby. Tasha held Megan’s hand tightly as they entered, reassuring her with that solid grip. Brad was already there and waved.

“Daddy!” And with that, Sophia was off like a shot.

Megan and Tasha followed at a more leisurely pace. Tasha could feel Megan’s tension beside her. Brad looked at them and said, “Hello.”

“Hello,” they said back, each with a cold edge on her voice.

“I’m guessing that this is official now,” Brad said, glancing at their hands. Tasha could feel Megan’s spine stiffen and heard the steel in her voice. “It is.”

Brad smiled, although Tasha could see a hint of sadness there. “I’m very happy for you both. You were always perfect for each other. I’m just sorry that… Well, I’m sorry for a lot of things.”

“And you should be.”

“Megan, I have a lot to apologize for, but maybe we can just focus on Sophia for right now. I want to know all about this sport that she is so interested in.”

Megan and Tasha sat behind Brad and Sophia as she tried to explain what they were about to see. Once it started, she was locked in and so was Brad. Megan and Tasha half watched the game, half watched the two in front of them. At halftime, all the kids in the audience were invited onto the track to play with hula hoops and tricycles and to just run around and burn off energy.

Brad turned around and said, “I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I truly am happy for you. Both of you.”

Megan was keeping quiet, so Tasha said, “Thanks, Brad.”

“I, um… I signed the papers, Megan. There’s one change, and I think that you’ll be okay with it.”

Megan responded, “What’s that?”

“I’m selling the house, and I want you to have half.”

“Why?”

“Before I answer, who the hell is your lawyer? Because my guy shit his pants when he saw her name on the documents.”

I bet he did. Maria is pure badass.

Tasha fielded this, saying, “She’s a good friend of mine, and now a friend of Megan and Sophia’s, too.”

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