Page 102 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis
“Sade!” Xander called from the kitchen. “Come help me set the table.”
“Can Naomi help too?”
“If she wants to.”
“I’d love to help,” Naomi said, letting Sade pull her to her feet.
Dinner was loud, chaotic, and perfect. Sade insisted on sitting next to Naomi and spent most of the meal telling her elaborate stories about her toys, her friends, and her plans to be a veterinarian when she grew up.
“Because animals are better than people,” she announced, spearing a piece of chicken with her fork.
“Most of the time,” Naomi agreed.
“You can be my assistant when I’m a vet. If you want.”
“I’d be honored.”
My father entertained the table with stories from his latest comedy gigs, including a disastrous wedding where the bride’s mother heckled him throughout his entire set.
“She kept yelling that I wasn’t funny,” he said, throwing his hands up dramatically. “So I said, ‘Lady, your daughter’s marrying a man who still lives with his mother. My comedy isn’t the tragedy here.’”
The table erupted in laughter. Even Naomi was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.
“Dad, you didn’t,” Elijah said.
“I absolutely did. The bride’s mother stopped heckling me, but she threatened not to pay me, and I threatened to sue.”
“Have mercy,” Aunt Cherry said.
“Have mercy on me!” My father shouted. “I was the one being harassed with rudeness.” He mumbled. “I got my money, too.”
More laughter erupted. That was my father. The life of the party.
After dinner, the family scattered to different parts of the house. The men gathered around the television to argue about football, the children went to play video games, and the women started the process of putting away leftovers and washing dishes.
“I’ll help,” Naomi said, carrying plates to the kitchen.
“You’re a guest,” Aunt Bernice protested.
“I’m family now,” Naomi said without thinking, then blushed. “I mean...”
“Yes, you are,” my mother said firmly, appearing with an armload of serving dishes. “And family helps clean up.”
I was loading the dishwasher when my mother appeared beside me with a dishtowel.
“I like her,” she said quietly.
“I thought you might.”
“Sade’s completely smitten. She’s been talking about Naomi nonstop for the last hour.”
“Kids have good instincts.”
“Yes, they do.” My mother was quiet for a moment, watching Naomi laugh at something Aunt Cherry was saying. “You remind me of your father when he was young. All charm and no caution. But you lead with restraint. Don’t let that keep you from what you want.”
I looked at my mother, surprised by the serious turn in her voice.
“I stayed in a relationship that wasn’t enough for a long time,” she continued. “It’s not a weakness to want more. Just don’t waste time pretending you don’t.”
