Page 84 of Buried Roots

“Did you get your dress all squared away, Kayla?” Bailey asks, putting serving spoons beside all the main dishes.

“I’m not wearing a dress, Bay.” Kayla’s tone is irritated. “I’m wearing a suit.”

“Oh, well then, a suit then, jeez.” Bailey rolls her eyes. “Have you got that squared away?”

“Yep. Margaret and I are wearing matching suits.”

“For what?” I ask, feeling like I should contribute something to the conversation. Also, I’m curious.

Kayla comes to the table and takes her seat. “Jeb and Sissy are getting married, and Margaret and I are bridesmaids. And we’re wearing suits. Bailey and the other bridesmaids are wearing dresses.”

“So, can I wear a suit?” Frankie takes a sip of her water before she sits.

“Of course you can, Ma,” Kayla says.

Owen sits next to me, snickering. “Yeah, Bailey, why did you tell mom she had to wear a dress?”

“Shut up, Owen, or you’re gonna find your underwear over your head.” Bailey scowls at him.

“Whatever, Bay. I’d love to see you try.”

As the family jumps into conversation, I realize I’ve never seen Owen in this role—the snarky big brother. He speaks less than usual as he observes his family, and I’m surprised that he’s the quiet one of the group. Although, heisoutnumbered in spades.

“Well, Ma, ask Sissy, then.” Bailey pats her napkin on her face. “If she says you can wear a suit, then wear a suit.”

Kayla forks some broccoli and shoots Bailey a glare. “Ma doesn’t have to ask permission. She can wear whatever she wants, good Lord.” She looks at Frankie. “Sissy and all of us will support whatever your preferences are, Ma.”

“Why aren’t you supportive ofmypreferences?“ Trinity pipes in with a milk mustache.

“Because your preferences are terrible,” Owen says under his breath.

Trinity sticks her tongue out at Owen.

“Watch your mouth and your manners,” Frankie says. “We’ve got a guest.”

I chuckle along with Owen.

The table becomes a hum of laughter and overlapping conversations. My mind wanders back to this house, and I realize now why I recognized the black-eyed Susans in the back. It’s because I washere, atthishouse, and those flowers are on the edge of this property.

I find myself eating a little of this and a little of that, and before I know it, I’ve had vegetable pasta, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cherry pie, and I feel like I could pop.

Trinity points at my vegetable concoction and says, “Can I try a bite of that, Willow? I want to see if I like it before I put it on my plate and Ma makes me eat it.”

I blink. I can’t believe somebody just asked me to share food, and I’m flattered. Of course she can have some of my casserole. I hold up my plate, offering her a bite, and then try not to think about the fact that her fork’s touching my food.

It’s so hard to remember what it’s like being a part of a family, and even when I was in one, it was never like this. Bickering over wedding attire and sharing food. So seemingly simple, but somehow, everything.

33

The Dock

Afterdinnerandcleanup, I invite Owen to take a walk with me to Mary Louise’s house. She and I have to have a talk, long overdue.

After we step outside Owen’s house, he says, “Sorry about my family. They can be a bit… much.”

“You know I love your family.”

“Sometimes, I like animals better.” He tilts his head. “Although my family members are animals, so…”

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