Friday Nicky Anderson’s House Party
Friday: Nicky Anderson’s House Party
“Let’s go to my bedroom,” says Nathan.
“Let’s do it,” says Kwesi.
“I’m first on the Oculus.”
Nathan and Kwesi spring up
from the massive sofa
we’re all sitting on. All apart from Kojo,
who’s on a footstool.
Matt gives me a gesture,
a flat hand, palm facing down.
The rest of The Boys rise
and follow Nathan and Kwesi.
“Didn’t I say he should’ve taken the money?”
Abdi jokes. “This party’s dead.”
Sam looks back at me and Matt
on the sofa. “You man coming up?”
“Yeah, just a second,” says Matt.
“Are you good, Kai?” Sam’s eyes search me.
“Yes, I’m good,” I reply.
I’m not sure why
Sam’s worried about me:
he hasn’t paid much attention to me
before now.
“Good.” Sam nods and leaves.
Across the living room,
Nicky Anderson sits on
the lap of her girlfriend,
on an oxblood-red leather armchair,
their group of friends at their feet
on a scattering of floor cushions.
They hold court like a royal couple.
They regale their audience
with a shared story:
Nicky says something,
her girlfriend chips in,
and so, the story goes
back and forth between them.
“I want that one day,”
Matt whispers to me.
This must be the reason
Matt gestured for me
to stay here with him.
“Me too,” I say, and I know
we both see the same thing.