Page 33 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
“A former client of mine that your brother has a date with,” Johnathan answered.
“Wait, you have a date!”
I sighed. “Yes. Please don’t make a big deal.”
Asia raised her hands and giggled. “I’m not saying anything. Let me guess, you’re already on your way to being smitten.”
It was sad that I was that predictable.
“You’re in my business, sis.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna take that as a yes.”
“We actually have a date this weekend.”
My mother smiled. “I’m glad to see you finally getting back out there. You haven’t seriously dated in years.”
“Yeah, well. I have an almost teenager that I may or may not have to threaten on the regular, so I’ve focused my energy elsewhere.”
Jamari scoffed. “I’m not that bad, daddy.”
“Sometimes you do too much, Mari. Like the bra thing.”
“Whatchu need a bra for, Mari?” my five year old niece, Kacie, asked. “You don’t got boobies.”
Me and the rest of the table stifled a laugh. Kacie had never been the kid to hold her tongue.
“You don’t got boobies,” Jamari mocked her.
Kacie didn’t get the sarcasm, so she hit her back with, “Duh. I’m five! That would look silly!”
“Auntie Asia, please get your child,” Jamari said, rolling her eyes.
Asia giggled. “Kacie, baby, leave your cousin alone. And no more talk about boobies.”
“I not bothering her, Mommy, and I like boobies. I go to sleep on yours all the time.” She pointed at her father. “Daddy likes your boobies. Uncle Jaxson, do you like boobies? Does your girlfriend have big boobies?”
It took everything in me not to double over in laughter.
“She’s not my girlfriend, lil’ bit. Enough boobie talk.”
“So, do we get to meet her?” my mother asked.
“Ma, it’s too soon for all that. Y’all are gonna scare the woman off.”
Asia looked at me like she wanted to say something, then she looked at Jamari. That was a tell-tale sign she was about to make an Amandela related comment. My sister couldn’t stand her. When she found out Amandela not only cheated on me but was stealing from me as well, she wanted to beat her ass. The only thing that saved that woman was Jamari.
“Well,” she finally said, taking a sip of her wine. “Let’s hope you’re lucky this time.”
I agreed. “Let’s hope.”
We continued to eat and talk. After dinner, I helped my mom clean the kitchen while the rest of the family chilled in the living room. The minute they were out of earshot, she was on my ass.
“I’m so glad you’re dating again. Anything is better than Amandela’s ass.”
I chuckled. “You know she showed up to dinner the other week asking about getting back together.”
“No, she didn’t!”
