The day after the Halloween party my mom sent out a group text saying that she was hosting dinner that night- and everyone was invited. And how she worded it basically told us we had to be there.
Ava wound up going home after she drove us back from her friends house after the party. Nothing else happened that night. And once again we hooked up and acted like nothing really happened. I knew I was going to have to have an actual conversation with her about this. But at the same time I really, and I mean really- liked hooking up with her.
My mom was cooking up at storm when I got home and I decided to get out of her way and take a hot shower. I was blow drying my hair, with the door slightly open when I saw my sister, Katie approach.
"Hey." I stopped the blow dryer, put it down, and gave her a hug. "You look cute."
Katie always dressed nicely. Today she had on light wash jeans and a pretty blush colored knit sweater. It looked good with her blonde hair.
"I'm sure you will too when you get out of your shorts and wet t shirt." she grinned at me. "Do you know why mom is hosting this dinner? It's not really like her."
"No fucking idea, sis." I said.
"Scott is coming. It'll be good to see him."
Scott is my 26 year old brother. The oldest of all of us.
"Yeah, it will be." I said back.
"How was your Halloween?" Katie asked me, leaning against the doorway.
"Good. I actually got out of the house. I went to a party with Ava." I said, thinking back to the night before. And Ava in that damn angel costume.
"That's great. How is Ava doing?" Katie asked.
"Good." I said, and could feel myself blushing.
"You're blushing. Did something happen?" Katie's eyes widened.
"Why would you think something did?"
"Please, I've always known you had a crush on Ava."
"That obvious, huh? Well, if you must know. Yes, we've hooked up a few times. Don't tell anyone else, please."
Katie's eyes got even wider, "You have my word, I won't. But oh my god."
Before I could say anything else my mom's voice came upstairs loudly. "Dinner!"
There was so much damn food on the table. She made prime rib, roast chicken, turkey, and tons of vegetable sides plus a salad.
"Dana, you have outdone yourself." Kenny said to my mom. Him and Candace were there, to my dismay.
"Yes, honey. You have." my dad gave my mom a light kiss on the cheek and sat down. This was the first time since April went missing that he had joined us for any kind of family event.
"When will Scott be here?" Kylie asked.
"Any minute." my mom said. She looked very pretty in a silk emerald green top and she had on more makeup than usual.
Even though the table was full, it felt empty. Because all I could think about was that April should be there.
We started eating and about 10 minutes later Scott showed up. My older brother- the golden child, my moms absolute favorite. Mostly because he is following her footsteps and is in medical school. He goes to medical school at Rutgers in New Jersey so he isn't too far.
I gave Scott a hug when I saw him. Like April, he definitely looks like my brother with his olive skin, dark hair, and blue eyes. He looks a lot like my dad.
"Good to see you, sis." he said, and then sat down.
The conversation was light at dinner. I noticed there wasn't a mention of the elephant in the room- April. Even from Candace, which was surprising. I noticed her and Kenny were talking a lot.
My mom then said, "I know you're probably wondering why I wanted to host this dinner tonight. I just thought we could all use a night to appreciate each other's company. We have all been through so much these past two months. And I just hope the next time we are all eating together it is to celebrate April's return."
I felt myself get choked up at the mention of April. I looked at Katie, who was across the table from me. I saw her wiping a tear away. In that moment I wanted Ava to be next to me. I knew she would grab my hand from under the table or something to comfort me.
"That's all I want. What we all want." Candace said. She had on red lipstick and a red dress with a v-neckline. I could've sworn I saw Kenny looking at her a few times.
We took a break after dinner before my mom was going to set out coffee and dessert. I noticed I had a missed text from Ava. She was asking how dinner was.
I responded: Kind of weird. Not bad though. Want to come over for dessert?
I then realized that sounded sexual. Not that I would mind. And I never felt the need to clarify anything before but now I did. I sent another text:
I mean actual dessert. Nothing sexual.
She sent back:
Ha ;) will your mom mind?
I said:
I wouldn't care if she did. But no, she won't.
Ava texted me back that she would be there shortly. My mom wouldn't mind, I was sure of it. She liked Ava.
I looked in my mirror to make sure I looked okay to see Ava. I was just wearing a black sheer blouse with a tank too underneath and dark wash jeans. I think she would like it.
I walked outside about 10 minutes later to greet Ava when she pulled up in her Jeep.
When I walked outside I paused. Even though it was dark, I knew what I was seeing at Kenny's truck.
Candace was pressed up against the back of it. I could see her red dress. And he was kissing her. Like deeply, passionately kissing her. They definitely did not know they had company.
I felt myself get chills and then feel sick to my stomach. And I didn't know what to do in that moment. My sisters best friend and her boyfriend. Kissing. What the fuck.
Being the person I am, I decided to walk over. And I made sure my feet ponded on the driveway. Enough so that the two pulled away from each other very quickly.
"Oh! Josephine, hi!" Candace said, her voice very shrill and slightly shaky.
I paused in front of them. Kenny was looking down.
"What's going on?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Nothing that should concern you." Kenny said, "It's not your business, Josephine."
"Okay. I do not care at all. What it looked like to me was my sisters boyfriend and best friend kissing." I said, my anger growing.
"We can explain." Candace said nervously.
"No, we don't have to." Kenny looked at her.
"Yeah, I think you should. What would April think about this?" I said.
"I don't know. She's not here, is she?" Kenny looked at me.
I felt myself get chills again from his look. It was cold. Unnerving. And the thought ran through my mind- Did he have something to do with this?
Then my anger took over. "You are such a fucking dick, Kenny."
"Whoa, what's going on here?" I heard Ava's sweet voice behind me.
"Nothing. Let's go back in, shall we?" Kenny looked at Candace. She nodded and they scurried off.
Even in the dark I could see Ava giving me a questioning look.
"They were kissing." I said.
"Sorry, what?" she asked me in disbelief.
"Kenny and Candace. They were out here kissing."
"Seriously? How were they? Just like...a simple kiss or a full on make out? Like they've done it before?" Ava asked me.
"Like this." I said, and then I couldn't help myself. I cupped Ava's face in my hands and kissed her with even more passion than I saw Kenny kissing Candace.
Ava pulled away, breathless. She looked at me. "Wow."
"To the kiss or the fact that Candace and Kenny were kissing like that?"
"Both." she said, "Are you going to tell anyone else what you saw?"
"Not my family. But I know just who to tell." I said.
Amira.