Page 31 of The Love Syllabus

Mr. Kind and I shake hands, but Kerry’s mom, vibrant and overflowing with energy, pulls me into a warm, enthusiastic hug. “Ooh, you are one handsome man. A cute little Denzel Washington.” She comments with a playful wink.

“Grace!” Mr. James chides, though there’s a hint of amusement in his tone.

“What? Our daughter’s boyfriend is quite the looker,” Grace continues, undeterred. “Now, where’s our girl? Y’all didn’t just do the nasty in our house, did you?”

From the hallway, Kerry’s voice rings out, laden with mortification. “Mom! What the heck?”

“Sorry, I’m just so excited!” Grace replies, her laughter filling the room just as Kerry emerges, struggling with a heavy suitcase and a furball cradled in her arms.

I quickly rush to her side to offload her luggage.

“Here, just carry Tum Tum.” She insists, thrusting the furry creature into my arms before I can protest.

“But I don’t like animals.” I manage to say, my discomfort clear.

“Oh, you’ll love mine.” Kerry dismisses with a chuckle.

I roll my eyes. “That’s what all cat lovers say.”

I look down at the furry creature now snuggling into my arms, and despite myself, a smile tugs at my lips.

“Aww, you two are hitting it off already.” She teases.

Mrs. Grace jumps back into the conversation, her tone laced with excitement and a hint of mischief. “And where are you two lovebirds goin’? On a vacation? Are you whisking my daughter away on a jet?”

Internally, I panic. How do we explain this? I guess with the truth, sort of.

“Well, not only are we dating, but Kerry’s also working —”

“As a homeschool teacher! I’m working at one of Greer’s homeschool collectives, teaching dozens of students in the area.” Kerry swiftly intercepts, her voice bright and convincing.

I look at her in shock as her parents beam with pride and surprise. Grace claps her hands, exclaiming, “See, I told you great things were right around the corner for you!”

“I’m so proud of you, Kerry! Take that, Cory! I knew his antics wouldn’t work.” Mr. James rejoices.

Struggling to maintain the facade, I muster a sarcastic enthusiasm, “Yeah, babe, I’m justsohappy for you.”

Kerry immediately elbows me, forcing a chuckle from her parents as she beams from cheek to cheek.

“Thanks, Mom. You were so right! Everything’s finally falling into place. And since the school is a whopping 45-minute drive on Vic’s side of town, it just makes sense for us to take the next step.”

Her father’s eyebrows shoot up, his skepticism sharp enough to slice through the room. “Next step?” He echoes, his voice laced with suspicion.

I’m looking at her crazy, too, but Kerry slides her hand into mine, her fingers warm and steady despite the tension brewing. “Yes, Dad. Next step. We’re moving in together.” She says it with calm authority, her voice unwavering.

Meanwhile, a long, slow gulp travels down my throat. This woman is nuts! Is she trying to get me killed?

“Thehellyou are!” Mr. James explodes, stepping forward, his protective instincts radiating off him like heat from an open flame. His face twists anger and disbelief. “Skipping meeting the parents is one thing, but shacking up already? No, sir. I won’t stand by and watch you rush my daughter into something she isn’t ready for. I don’t like this one bit. Kerry may be a fool in love, but I ain’t, and I see right through you. The way you move isn’t cool, son. You ain’t no good.”

I blink, trying not to flinch under the verbal onslaught.

Mrs. Grace gently lays a hand on his arm, her voice a soothing balm against his fiery temper. “Kerry, what your father istryin’to say is, it’s a bit too soon for moving in, don’t you think? We just met the man, for goodness’ sake. We’re worried, is all. We don’t want you—” She pauses, searching for the right words, her eyes soft with concern.

Mr. James doesn’t miss a beat. “To be in a dangerous situation, like before.” His gaze hardens. “You gotta stop leading with your heart, baby girl.”

The tension in the room thickens with the unspoken fears and past pains hanging heavily between them and filling every corner of the room.

Kerry straightens her stance, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “With all due respect, Mom and Dad, I’m not the same Kerry that got married at twenty-one. And I’mcertainlynot the same Kerry from two years ago. I’ll never be that version of myself again.” She turns to me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but beneath the vulnerability is a steel-hard resolve. “And you’re right, Dad. Victor isn’t agoodman; he’s agreatman. And though we haven’t known one another long, I know he’s right for me.”

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