Page 82 of Curvy Girl Summer

“The best restaurants wish they could do this,” I agreed, swallowing the last bite of my food.

“Well, let me tell y’all this one last thing…” Mom startedtalking, and I listened intently as my food digested. “But that’s just what Liz told me,” Mom concluded.

“Oh, speaking of Liz,” my uncle started, turning his head in my direction. “When does Marcus move back here?”

My nose crinkled. “I don’t know.”

“Next month,” my mother answered him quickly. “He’s already lined up a really good job in the city. At Franklin Financial. So, he’s looking at places to live downtown.” With a quick peek at me, she continued, “I told Liz I would ask you for suggestions…”

“I thought we were leaving the Marcus thing alone,” my dad said, bemused. He looked over at me. “Your mom told me that you’re bringing some boy you’re seeing to your party.”

The last thing I wanted to think about was a date. I wasn’t sure if I had it in me to keep dating after the past few weeks.

Trying to change the subject, I asked, “What about asking me about my job? My friends? The rest of my life?!”

My father made a face. “Because you told me about the other stuff. You ain’t say nothing about this new boyfriend, so that’s what I want to talk about.” He crossed his arms. “And I’ll ask my daughter whatever I damn well please,” he added with a chuckle.

“Now, Darryl, leave Aaliyah alone,” my mom chastised with a catlike smile. “She’ll tell us about him when she’s good and ready.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I told them.

“Because she ain’t got nobody! I done tried to tell you!” Uncle Al exclaimed. He shifted his body and his attention to me. “Now this Marcus fella sounds like a good one, Aaliyah. He got a few dollars on him, too.”

“I’m not having this conversation,” I told them, picking up my empty plate to take to the kitchen. “I have to get back to the city.”

My uncle’s lips turned down into a frown. “You ain’t gotta run off.”

“If she says there’s someone, there’s someone,” Mom argued, standing up for me.

I appreciated my mother defending me and I felt bad about not being completely honest about my situation. Just as I opened my mouth to tell them all the truth, my uncle interrupted me.

“She can’t head into thirty alone,” he warned. “And at the rate she’s going…”

“Now hold on, Al.” My dad turned his chair to face him. “What are you trying to say?”

He lifted his arms. “All I’m saying is that I want to see Aaliyah married off just like you do.” He gestured around the table. “Like wealldo.”

“It’s her life. Let’s let her live it,” Dad replied.

“Exactly,” I agreed. “It’s my life. Why does it matter to you?”

My uncle dropped his hands with a loud thump against his thighs. “Because I know you ain’t got nobody, and I’m just worried is all. With Aniyah—”

“Let me worry about me, please,” I sighed, standing up.

Nana put her hand on my arm. “As long as you’re seeing someone and not settling for someone, I’m happy to hear it.”

“We want the same thing,” Mom spoke up.

“Yeah,” Dad added.

“Well, I mean, either way—see or settle with somebody with a few dollars in their pocket soon. You’re not getting any younger,” Uncle Al mumbled.

Mom swatted at him. “Can you shut your mouth for once? For once? One time?”

“Fine! But if there’s not a man at this birthday party, I’m going to say I told you so,” he replied. “This is why at the end of the summer, the yacht’s going to be put up for sale.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Nana reacted.

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