Page 163 of Curvy Girl Summer

“Okay, I will.”

I walked to the end of the block where the salon was located, and before entering, I glanced back at my parents. The two of them were hugging and comforting each other. If I were to guess, my mom was shedding tears and my dad was holding his back. It was hard to see them crying, but it was good to know that they heard what I was saying to them.

“Welcome to Hair Love,” Kim greeted me as soon as I walked through the door.

“Hi!” I lifted my hand in a wave. “I’m here for Serena.”

Four hours later, my hair was done, my nails and toes were done, and I was back in my apartment getting my stuff together to leave. I’d known what I was wearing for weeks, so it didn’t take long to pack. It was the fact that I didn’t realize until that moment that I still had Ahmad’s jacket. Just seeing it caused my entire body to react. I tried to shake it off, but it was taking a little more time. It was much easier to shake it off when I was just imagining what he felt like versus having carnal knowledge of what he felt like.

I need to focus.

I put it back in the bag that I’d hidden it in and tossed it to the side.

“Okay, I have my shower stuff, my makeup, my dresses, my sleepwear, my shoes, my bag, my—oh!”

Rushing to the dresser, I grabbed a couple of cute bra-and-panty sets and also both bathing suits. I still didn’t know if I was going to do more than dip my feet in the lake, but I remembered that there was a hot tub on the second floor.

“I’m all set,” I whispered to myself.

Grabbing all the bags, I carried them to the car, turned up the music, and then made my way to my uncle’s house. It was on the way to Dowdy Lake, and even though I didn’t have much time, I didn’t plan to be there long.

Pulling into the long driveway of the small home near the woods, I parked behind my uncle’s truck.

“Happy birthday!” Uncle Al greeted me with a huge grin as he eased from his seat on the porch. “What are you doing here?”

“I just came to talk,” I started, sliding my hands into my pockets. “Do you have a few minutes?”

“For you, of course. Come on up here.” He waited until I climbed the steps to the porch before he added, “Sit in the rocking chair. It’s sturdier.”

I pursed my lips. “I’ll stand.”

He chuckled and shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He sat down on the porch swing. “What’s on your mind?”

“I didn’t appreciate what you said at Aniyah’s memorial,” I blurted out.

His eyebrows drew together in confusion. “What? About you not really having a boyfriend?”

I nodded. “Yeah, and—”

“Well, do you?”

“No, and that’s not the point—”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I knew it! I knew it!” He clapped his hands together. “You ain’t have to come all the way over here to apologize.”

Taken aback, I made a face. “I didn’t come here to apologizeto you. I came here to give you an opportunity to apologizeto me. Because what you said was messed up.”

“I—”

“No, I’m not finished,” I interjected, my frustration evident. “Your jokes about my weight, your comparing me to Aniyah, your comparing me to Macy, your thoughts and opinions about my love life need to stop now! I’m not going to be made to feel uncomfortable about how I look, what I do, how I move, who I date, and the choices I make because you have a problem with it. This is my life!”

“I love you, and I’m trying to help you,” he said gruffly. “I just want you to be happy and healthy.”

“And who says I’m not?!”

He gestured to my body. “You’re a pretty girl, but your weight—”

“Uncle Al, I weigh less than you,” I snapped.

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