Page 72 of Rather: The Therapist

Rather nodded, seeming genuinely appreciative of the time they’d spent together. The appetizer dishes were removed from the table. The second course was served shortly after.

My mother’s cheeks were stained with tears from the laughter that had her doubled over as Kofi recalled his encounter with a loose pit bull in a neighborhood he wasn’t supposed to visit alone. While she was amused by this strange interaction, I was counting the amount of regulations he’d disregarded before, during, and after it.

Easily, he could’ve found himself in a situation we’d have to extract him from. An encounter with a pitbull was the least of my worries and there wasn’t a thing I found funny about it. I added to the list of topics to address at our next meeting, but allowed the story to continue.

“I am going to get going. I have an early start tomorrow and I need to be getting to bed. Kofi, have that wound checked out. You never know what diseases that dog carried.”

“I’ve already been,” he assured her, “All is well and he’s somewhere in Doggy Heaven– or hell.”

“My God. I didn’t expect that ending.”

“May he rest in peace,” Kofi scoffed.

My mother stood, drawing us all from our seats.

“Sit. Sit. Sit,” she told us, waving her hand. “Goodnight everyone.”

“Goodnight,” we replied in unison.

My father followed close behind her. Though he wasn’t ending his night so soon, he would surely see her off to bed.

“The old people are off to bed, but they left one of the crew members,” Kofi snickered, taking a peek in my direction.

“I’m not sure why they left their toddler who is going through his terrible two stage behind but I hope they notice soon.”

“Fuck you.” All of his teeth showed.

Laughter rounded the table.

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Don’t act like you’re not about to cut out of here and go home like the other old folks who are in bed by nine.”

“I’m not. Cut out of here, yes. Going home, not yet.”

“See, I told you he still liked pussy,” Killian burst out, pointing at Kofi.

“I do. One in particular, actually.”

My eyes found Rose.

“Hm. Sounds fun. When will we get to meet her?” Kleigh questioned with wide, curious eyes.

You have already.

“You think you have to meet every piece of pussy we slide in?” Kofi asked our sister. “The man didn’t say he had a woman. He said he has a little something, something.”

“Where’d you meet?” Kleigh couldn’t help herself.

“At The Mansion.”

“The Mansion?”

“Oh shit, that place you told us about a while back?”

“Yes. That place.”

The clearing of Rather’s throat quieted us all. Our eyes were trained on her chocolate skin and pretty, forged smile.

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