Page 17 of In Another Time

“Lennox!” Dad’s deep voice boomed from the living room. He was sitting in his favorite recliner, a beer in hand and the game playing softly on the television.

“Hey, Daddy,” I said, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “How’s my baby girl? Still out there conquering the world?”

“Something like that,” I said with a small laugh, standing up straight.

“Better be careful, or you’ll scare off all the men,” he teased, shaking his head.

I rolled my eyes. “Not you too.”

“Lenny!” my mother called from the kitchen, saving me from having to reply. “Come help me with the cornbread.”

I slipped off my heels and made my way to the kitchen, where my mother was bustling around, apron tied tightly around her waist. Lorna, visibly pregnant and glowing, was placing plates on the table while my brother Lawrence was sneaking a taste of the sweet potatoes.

“Get your. . .” Mom swatted his hand away with a wooden spoon. “That’s for the table!”

“Come on, Ma. You know I can’t resist,” Lawrence said with a grin, his gold wedding band catching the light as he reached for another piece.

“Lennox, make yourself useful,” Mom said, nodding toward the pan of cornbread on the stove.

I grabbed the pan and began slicing the cornbread into neat squares, listening to the familiar chatter around me.

“Where’s Olivia?” I asked Lawrence, referring to his wife.

“She’s out back with the kids,” he said, popping a piece of sweet potato into his mouth. “Giving me a break before I have to chase them around again.”

“And your fiancé?” I asked Lorna, glancing at her.

“Darnell is parking the car,” she said, her hand resting on her swollen belly. “He better hurry up before Mom starts another one of her lectures.”

“Damn right,” Mom muttered, stirring a pot of collard greens. “A man’s supposed to be on time for family dinner.”

The front door opened, and Darnell walked in, carrying a tray of desserts from the local bakery. “Sorry, Mama Anderson,” he said with a sheepish grin.

“Uh-huh,” Mom said, eyeing him but softening when she saw the desserts. “At least you brought something.”

Dinner was served shortly after, and the table was a masterpiece of southern cooking—fried chicken, baked macaroni, collard greens, candied yams, and honey cornbread. We all sat down to dig in and catch up.

“So, Lenny,” Olivia began, her tone light but teasing as she passed the fried chicken. “Any newdevelopmentsin your love life?”

I paused mid-scoop of macaroni, giving her a pointed look. “I’m focused on work. You know that.”

“That’s what you always say.” Lawrence chimed in, leaning back in his chair.

“Come on, Lennox.” Darnell chortled. “Don’t tell us you’re not even dating.”

“She doesn’t have time for that,” Mom said, her tone both proud and exasperated. “She’s too busy being successful.”

“Well, it wouldn’t kill you to make some time,” Lorna said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Sis,” I said dryly, taking a sip of sweet tea.

“Leave her alone,” Dad said, cutting into his chicken. “If she’s happy, that’s all that matters.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” I said, giving him a grateful smile.

But even as I brushed off their comments, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from wandering. They didn’t know about Omir, about the way he made me feel like I was coming alive for the first time in years. And maybe that was the problem—I didn’t know what to do with those feelings, either. As the conversation shifted to Lorna’s upcoming baby shower and Lawrence’s plans for a family vacation, I found myself retreating into my thoughts, the bickering from the kids around me fading into the background.