Chapter 41
Seth
June Bug never makes it to go see Gaga. Each time he tries to leave, Jasmine throws herself on the floor and cries. So, he stays and plays Barbies with her. The house is loud, and I never thought I’d like that. My house was always loud too. The television was always on full blast. During the day, there were game shows and soap operas, and everyone was living the life my father wasn’t. In the evenings, there was always some sitcom or drama about families. That’s the irony. Always some sitcom about the perfect TV family. I was either in my room or out. He never cared.
But having the house loud with family members sharing a meal, talking, and laughing is different. I love it, and in this short time, I don’t see how I ever lived without it. Even June Bug was pleasant tonight and didn’t threaten me once. Jasmine didn’t eat in her highchair. Instead, she was passed around from lap to lap, and everyone fed and doted on her. They laughed and praised everything she did. The only blight on the dinner was when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I was prepared to ignore it, but instead of Barbara calling, it was my dad.
“You two relax,” Donna says. “Me and Stell will clean up and put the kitchen back together. We want to start doing Sunday family dinners. We’ll take turns hosting, but we need to start back again.”
“Again?” I ask.
“We always did it,” Layla says. “Donna and my mom would take turns hosting, but when Gaga got sick, we stopped. You think we can host here?” she whispers, and I don’t like the question. “Why are you frowning?”
“This is your home. Of course we can host. You can do whatever you want here. You don’t have to ask.” She’s the only woman I would ever say that to. I trusted her before she moved in here, but this is working out better than I thought. Not just with her, but with her family as well.
“This Sunday,” she announces. “Here. We’ll cook.” Everyone nods as if it’s decided. “June Bug, come early so you can help us. Mom, make some more drinks.”
They don’t leave until almost eleven o’clock. More drinks turned into dessert which turned into everyone talking and laughing at once. Phones were brought out, and I was bombarded with pictures of Layla from infancy to adulthood. There was a story with every picture, and I found myself laughing for most of the night. Of course, that means Jasmine’s routine was pushed back because she wouldn’t leave June Bug alone and she had a fit when Layla took her away to bathe her.
“Layla looks good,” Stella says to me once Layla is out of sight.
“She’d better,” June Bug says. His words come out like a threat.
“She looks like she’s getting laid a lot,” Donna throws in. “Thank goodness. I was worried for a while. She never brought anyone around.”
“June Bug scared them away,” Stella says.