Page 73 of Look My Way
“So . . .” Tabitha says awkwardly, her hands moving from her hips to her pockets.
“So . . .” I say back. We both look at each other, not saying anything for a beat, and then burst out laughing.
“We’re the same weirdos we’ve always been, I see,” she says between chuckles.
“Speak for yourself,” I retort.
Both laughing again, I follow her to the couch, and we sit down to talk about everything we’ve missed in each other’s lives. She asks if I got the gifts she sent, and I nod, telling her how I thought about sending something back so many times.
Noticing I need a change of subject after speaking of Daniel again, she gets up and brings me a photo album. There are pictures from last Halloween on the page she flips to, where she, the kids, and Rob are all characters fromThe Adam’s Family.
“You guys look great. I’ll have to come down for this Halloween so I can see what awesome costumes you choose in person.”
“You should. The kids would be delighted to go trick or treating with their uncle. Rob needs someone to go to haunted houses with again “
“Did someone say haunted house? Are we that close to Halloween already?” Rob approaches us from behind and Zavier comes out after him.
“Not too far away. Summer’s almost over.”
“It went by so fast too,” I say, scooting back against the cushions.
“Yeah. The kids will be sad once we have to cover the pool up.”
“You guys have a pool?” Zavier’s voice raises.
“Yeah. You guys want to go swimming later?”
“It’s been a long day already,” I say. “Maybe Sunday.”
“Yeah, Sunday works too,” Tabbitha agrees.
“Yay, family pool party,” one of the kids says, running in.
The room is loud with laughter again, and it stays that way when we all move to the kitchen for lunch. My mom joins us just as we’re about to eat, hugging me three more times than my sister did. She doesn’t take it easy on me, and I appreciate that none of them treat me like glass. It’s more of a relief to be here than I thought it’d be.
“So, Zavier, how long have you known my son, and exactly how close of friends are you two?” My mom smirks, folding her hands on the table.
Rolling my eyes, I nudge her in the side. “Can you please try not to scare him away, or else the friendship will end after we leave here.”
Zavier snorts. “A few weeks, I think? I’m not a very good keeper of time, and we’re friendly enough for me to come here with him.”
“Fair enough,” Rob says. “How about we let the poor guy eat and not bombard him with so many questions.”
“I’m just trying to play catch up in my only boy’s life.” She looks over at me, laying an arm around my shoulder.
“Understandable, and I’ve eaten as much as I can handle.” Zavier rubs his stomach, puffing it out.
We all chat some more. I hear about Mom’s retirement and how Dad wants a farm. We joke and torment each other the way family does, laughing so much my stomach aches. Hours go by without us realizing, and we all go outside to see my sister’s new gazebo and landscaping. One of her benches is already coming apart and Zavier grabs some tools from his truck, offering to fix it.
“He’s so handy with his hands,” Tabitha says, gawking when he takes one of his shirts off.
I shove at her. “Hey, your man is right over there.” I point to where Rob is pushing both kids on the swing.
“And so he is.” She keeps looking over at Zavier. “I think he’s good for you.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough to know I like him.”
