Page 14 of Crossing Lines

The piece of mushroom steak slips down my throat. I snap my head to Jamir. He’s scowling at me.

“You were at the club but didn’t say hi to D?” Trishell points out. “Sounds funny, Nae.”

“She was in the VIP until I left,” she blurts, ignoring her brother bumping her arm. “Looked quite comfortable with Kross Krueger. Didn’t want to interrupt.” I want to reach over and slap her mouth.

Colin sighs and shakes his head with their dad.

“Is that so?” Jamir remarks before drinking.

“It wasn’t like that,” I explain, looking around the table at my curious family. “He’s a nice guy. He was concerned I’d be bothered by a lot of men.”

“Should have gone home then,” Jamir grumbles.

“Davia has a right to enjoy herself,” Trishell comes to my defense. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Sure,” Jamir sniffs and returns to eating. I know I’m in for it when we leave my grandparents’ house, and I feel like dragging Shanae by her braids for being messy. I suspect she has a thing for my man. Her smug smirk reinforces it.

“Anyway, tell everyone the big news, D,” Trishell urges excitedly. I love her so much.

“What happened?” Grandma asks, eyes bright.

I can’t contain my grin as I tell them, “Chavonne La Monte agreed to let me launch a solo line this summer.”

“That’s wonderful,” Aunt Zandie cheers along with everyone.

“Congratulations, sweetheart,” Grandma adds, squeezing my hand. “So proud of you.”

“Well deserved,” Grandpa laughs in his delight.

The sudden knocking on the front door confuses us. My mom’s voice resounds as Grandpa is about to stand, and the room falls quiet with her entrance.

“Hey, everybody,” she waves with a big smile.

“Hi, baby!” Grandma returns happily, standing to hug her youngest child. “So good to see you.”

“You too.” She hangs her jacket in the coat closet, more formal than the rest of us, in a black sweater dress and heels, her diamond necklace shining in the lights. “Food looks and smells good, Mama.”

“Let me fix you a plate,” Grandma offers.

“No, no. I got it.” Mom pats her arm and walks into the kitchen, grabbing a plate to help herself.

An awkward air saturates the room. Everyone’s watching my mom quietly, as surprised as I am since she hasn’t been to a family dinner in so long, and she told me she wouldn’t come tonight.

“How have y’all been?” she asks, sitting in the empty chair on the left of her big brother, Uncle Quest. She flashes Jamir and me a look before scooping up a forkful. “Haven’t seen you in a minute, Jamir. Glad you and Davia are still going.”

He nods politely. “It’s nice seeing you, Ms. Tanya. We have to take you out sometime. Been so busy at work, though.”

“That’s all right.” She peers around the table and snorts. “Y’all good? So quiet in here.”

“We’re surprised.” Aunt Zandie rolls her eyes at her little sister and moves her locs off her shoulder. “Nice of you to grace us with your presence.”

“Don’t,” Grandpa stops the looming argument. “How’ve you been, Tan? We’ve missed you.”

“I’m good,” Mom replies. “Heard y’all going on a week-long cruise.”

“That’s right. Visiting some islands.”

“Hmm. Sounds fun.”

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