Page 192 of Sweet Dominion

Jo lit her joint and when the man in the song yelled out, 'Hot Barbecue!' she yelled along too.

Banks’s assistants spun around making a full circle around him and he did this slick little side to side movement.

His mother, Aunt Betty, stood up, clapping her hands to the beat. “Go on, baby! Do your dance! That’s my oldest boy right there!”

Her friends started moving to the music as well.

At the Mahjong table Aunt Min looked fresh off a win and began dancing in her seat.

On my right, Aunt Suzi and Chloe cheersed their wine glasses and drank.

Oh no. I hope Aunt Suzi didn’t pour her wine.

When I was twelve, she’d given me my first class of wine, explaining that in China the drinking age was always ridiculously low. Mom was pissed.

Aunt Betty shouted, grabbing my attention. “Go on, Banks, show them how it's done!”

A ripple of laughter washed through the yard.

Those who weren’t clapping or dancing were hollering out in delight.

Sweat was glistening off Banks' forehead, but he didn't stop dancing with his assistants.

And once again, I noticed some of my Four Aces getting rather close to the stage to get a better look at Sweet, Savory, and Salty.

Yeah. I really need to let them all get a break. They need some sex.

Soon, the music died down to a simmering rhythm and Banks executed a final spin.

Jo blew out smoke. “Is he going to feed us or just perform?”

Moni grinned. “He’s almost done.”

“Still,” Jo shook her head. “I’m taking points off for the bad dancing.”

“You better not.”

DJ Hendrix put a slower song on and kept the volume down super low so that it remained just this chill background vibe.

Banks grabbed the microphone, wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and smiled at the crowd. “That wasHot Barbecueby Jack McDuff.”

A few people clapped.

Banks gestured to the three women on stage. “And shout out to my lovely assistants, Sweet, Savory, and Salty.”

As the women strutted off the stage, many of the men in the audience hooted and whistled.

Banks watched them go. “Mmmhmm.”

A few guys whistled again.

“I don’t know about you, Chef,” Banks pointed to Chef Foo, “but I can’t cook one thing unless a pretty Black woman is around. You ever had a nice Black woman in your life?”

Chef Foo blushed and shook his head no.

Aunt Betty yelled, “I got two Black women for you, Cooking Daddy! Come on down to the South! You won’t leave!”

Moni cringed, “Oh God. Make it stop.”

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