Page 91 of Happy Endings

“Whoops, that’s mine.” Mrs. Kim clutched her bag to her chest, grinning impishly. She fumbled around in her bag until she found the vibrator’s off switch.

The eerie silence sucked the happiness out of the room.

“We better go. Ready, boys?” Mrs. Harris slipped her arm through one of the dancer’s. The other hand had a tight grip on her cane and her goody bag.

The subdued ladies made their way to the door.

“Thanks, guys!” Reina called after them. “See you tomorrow night.”

“Andre, I can explain.” Keisha ran up to her brother. He ignored her.

“You’re selling sex toys to—to my mother’s friends?” He stumbled toward Trixie. “To the women who treat me like I’m their own son?”

“Whoa, you need to calm down.” Reina stepped between them.

“They wanted to learn more about toys. So I offered to teach a class about postmenopausal female pleasure.”

“It’s one thing to hold pop-ups for your clients, but how dare you intrude upon these women? They just want to live a quiet life. Enjoy what they can of this neighborhood before all the hipsters take over.” Andre’s eyes narrowed.

“Obviously, you don’t know them as well as you think,” Trixie countered. She tapped Reina, who stepped aside. “Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy sex.”

“I don’t need confirmation that they have sex.” Andre shook his head. “I know how babies are made. These are my mother’s friends. They’re my family.”

“Don’t write off their desires and needs because you think they’re too old.”

“Why do you have to go and change things around here? Not all change is good. Look at what’s happening to this neighborhood.” He waved wildly. “Everything was fine before you showed up. Mama Hazel’s is fine the way it is. I’m fine.”

“No, Andre, you’re drunk,” Trixie said softly, and reached out for him. “How about we talk about it in the morning?”

He pulled back from her. She froze. Trixie had never seen him this angry.

“Everything changed the day you stepped into our restaurant. Keisha is quitting school. Mrs. Chen closed her Chinese takeout place. The developers are turning this building into condos.” The veins in his neck bulged as the words and spittle flew out of his mouth.

“Did you say condos?” asked Keisha, who had been quietly watching the exchange from the back.

Andre cringed. Trixie glared at him. Reina looked at the floor.

“Andre, what the hell is going on?” When he didn’t respond, she turned to Trixie.

“I’m sorry, Keisha. He promised me that he’d tell you,” Trixie apologized.

Keisha stomped up to the rest of the group until she was face-to-face with Andre. He tried to look away, his intoxicated bluster suddenly gone.

“Mr. Jackson sold our building,” Andre mumbled.

The older women, who had stopped at the entrance, murmured in surprise. Keisha pursed her lips, fingers drumming on her thighs.

“Mama left me half of this restaurant. I know that you’re running most of the day-to-day so I can study, but this is ridiculous.” Her voice cracked. “You promised to include me in big decisions.”

“Mr. Jackson said he’d consider any offer the tenants had for the building, but no one had the money. I talked to everyone. He sold the building, and there’s a tenant meeting with our new landlord tomorrow.”

“You didn’t talk to me, your sister. Why do you have to do everything yourself? We’re all family here. People would have chipped in to help. We could have held fundraisers. Now it’s too late. All because you couldn’t let go of your ego enough to ask for help.” Keisha took a deep breath. “I—I can’t stay here. I might say something I’ll regret.”

Keisha turned to Trixie and grabbed her hand. Trixie pulled her in for a hug.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you,” she whispered into Keisha’s ear.

“Since you’re here, Andre, you’re on kitchen duty.” Keisha’s voice was ice-cold. “Turn off the fryer and put the leftovers away. I’ll wash the dishes in the morning.”

---