Page 137 of Tainted

I couldn’t help but notice the sour look on Brandy’s face. She was off on the other side of the room while three faces I didn’t recognize bombarded Banana Girl with hugs. They referred to her as Grandma, so it didn’t take long to realize they were Misa’s other kids.

Despite the tension, Banana Girl came home to a warm welcome. I jogged outside to gather her bags before returning and playing in the background. Thankfully, Andre was wise enough not to show up, and Misa was on her best behavior, making my job easy.

“I can’t believe she brought them here,” Zara groaned, leaning into my body.

“It’s fucked up, but she’s their grandma too,” I reasoned because every decision wasn’t black and white. No matter how fucked up.

“Brandy is going to be a mess.”

“Are you trying to get out of meeting your mother-in-law?”

“No, because the only thing worse than not showing up is her thinking I don’t want to meet her,” Zara whimpered, nuzzling further into my chest.

“Toughen up. It won’t be that bad.”

Zara made an expression that screamed she disagreed but focused on getting through the rest of Banana Girl’s celebration. When she got tired of all these people in her face she asked me to help her upstairs. Zara played Brandy close during clean up, closing with a big hug before we left.

I pulled up to my mom’s house, and the nerves I wasn’t used to started creeping in. It wasn’t like me to feel uneasy about something as simple as a dinner, but this wasn’t just any dinner. Family meant everything, but bringing someone around? That was new territory for me. I parked the car and glanced over at Zara.

“Is this the house you grew up in?”

“Yeah, it is. I don’t have to worry about you taking anything that doesn’t belong to you, do I?”

“Nope, I only take your stuff.”

I gently grasped Zara's hand, offering her a reassuring squeeze as we made our way to the front door. The familiar scent of whatever home-cooked meal she had on the stove filled the air, and I instantly felt more at ease.

"Ma!" I called out.

“Kenyon, please!” she yelled, her voice getting closer. “Stop screaming through the house! I’ve been telling you that since you were five!” Loriann appeared in the hallway, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Then you should be used to it.”

Her gaze shifted to Zara.

“H-hii,” she smiled and waved.

“Hi, sweetheart. What’s your name?”

“Nova,” she lied, threatening me to go along.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nova.” Mom’s pleasantries didn’t last long, flinging her hand into my chest.

“Is Unc here yet?”

“He’s in your father’s office,” she replied, returning to the kitchen and motioning us to follow along. “Lamb chops, asparagus, and mashed potatoes are on the menu. I hope that’s okay?”

“That’s perfect. Thank you.”

“You didn’t ask me if I mind?”

“I didn’t ask because I don’t care, son,” Loriann smiled, pausing long enough to cup my cheek, “Call your brother and make sure he still knows his way home. We’re not waiting all night to eat,” she yelled just before turning the corner.

When the coast was clear, I closed the space between Zara and me.

“Trying to sneak upstairs to my room?” I flirted.

“Absolutely not. Your mom won’t be chatting to her girlfriends about the fast girl you brought into her house.”

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