Sitting at the table Tre didn't once look up from his lap. Uncle Dre sat directly across from him ice grilling him intensely. Next to him was uncle Dez who also was also not only grilling Tre but me as well. Next to uncle Dez was Joey who thought the whole thing was just hilarious. Across from Joey was uncle Jerome sitting quietly and waiting for dinner to start. Next to him was uncle Morris repeatedly checking his watch. Then came me who was way too petrified to look across the table at uncle Dez. Beside me was Tre of course and at the head of the table was the king of Purple himself. After the awkward silence the food finally showed up. As expected there was no meat. All vegetarian dishes were served. At least Joey was happy. He got a stuffed pepper with macaroni and cheese with a small side of steamed carrots. Luckily for him dad has a strict meatless rule in the house. So no meat for him. We seemed to adjust to a meatless lifestyle although there have been times where I've gone to McDonald's and scored me and the little guy a 20 piece McNuggets and a mcdouble or two. We still haven't told him yet. He'll figure it out eventually. Just as we were about to bless the table Erin and her brother Derrin showed up with a massive plate of cookies.

  "Sorry we're late everyone! I had to keep my brother from eating all the cookies again." She giggled.

My dad stood and greeted them and pulled out their chairs. The chef staff took the huge plate of cookies that Joey and I were eyeing like a couple of sugar happy kids. Once my dad was seated he blessed the table and we all ensued in what looked like to be the feast of the year. Erin looked down towards me and saw a new face sitting just to my right.

  "Hey P I didn't know you had a new artist coming to dinner. Who's that cutie sitting next to Carly?" She asked with a smile.

My dad looked up at her as he eyed me and Tre.

  "He's not here for me Erinalia. He's here for Carlyn." He said in a deep voice.

  "Oh!" Erin gasped in surprise.

I had a feeling that this was about to get crazy embarrassing.

  "Erin ummm this is Tre. He's my really good ummmm.....friend.....from school. Yeah! Really good friend." I said trying to make this conversation as generic as possible.

  "Y'all sure y'all just friends? I don't have to come up there and cut off an arm or a leg to make a point not to hurt my niece?" Uncle Dre said as he shoved a forkful of veggies in his mouth."

  "Uncle Dre??? Stop! Daddy please make him stop." I begged.

  "It's alright Andre. He'll find out soon enough just how protective we are of this little girl. Right Jerome?" Dez chimed in.

  "Oh my god." I mumbled in my cupped hands as I covered my face.

  "Oh come on guys she's young let her have some type of a life. Skip wasn't getting grilled this much when him and Regan were together!" Jerome said.

Suddenly there was a heavy cloud of silence and confusion filled the room. I looked over at my dad and his face was completely blank. He didn't look up from his plate once to acknowledge the name that has been occasionally dropped from time to time but there has never been a follow up story to this mystery girl. I've already seen the picture in the photo album and they seemed happy together. Why won't anybody talk about her now? Did something so bad that he now refuses to talk about her? I wanna know the real story behind this love that is now no longer talked about.

  "We shouldn't talk about that now. We have a guest here tonight and it wouldn't be right to bring him into private conversation." My dad replied.

  "Speaking of this guest young man what is your intention with my niece? You tryin' to hit?" Andre snapped.

He was obviously trying to dig and was very upset that I was interested in boys. However I'm 16 so he might as well get over it. Tre looked very confused as he looked up from the table at my uncle who was scowling at him.

  "I'm sorry sir. I don't know what you mean." Tre said shyly.

  "You know what I mean little boy don't play like this is something new. How many other girls have you been with?"

  "No...none sir. I really like Carly. She's very sweet and she cool to hang out with. No disrespect to you sir but should her dad be grilling me? I know you're her uncle and I understand that you care about her but her dad doesn't seemed so pressed about me and her seeing each other. Do you think that I would hurt her in any way?"

I lowered my head slightly so no one can see the huge smile I had on my face because Tre was able to hold his own in front of my family. My uncle sat silent for a split second before he said anything. I looked over at my dad who in turn looked over to me with a grin on his face. I mouthed to him that I told him Tre was not what he thought. My dad gave me and approving nod.

  "Listen kid. I'm all about keeping my family safe and sound. Feel me? So if you hurt her in any way possible don't show your face around town again. If I find you you'll be in a world of hurt. Got it?"

I couldn't take my uncle treating Tre anymore. I shot up from the table pissed as hell and I really didn't care if I slipped out a few swears. I can cover them.

  "Uncle Dre what the hell????  Why are you acting like an asshole! Tre is a good guy and your treating him like some sort of criminal! Leave him alone! Maybe if you treat him with a little bit more respect then maybe you would like him like I do!"

  "Carly I would be more trusting if he wasn't with you. You know how I feel about you!"

  "That may be true but you know what I'm gonna need you to stay out of my personal life and get a girlfriend of your own!"

I pushed the chair I was sitting in out of the way and stormed out of the dining area.

  "Carly! Wait!" I heard Erin shout from behind me.

I didn't stop to see her. I just walked out of the room so angry that I thought that I'd never calm down. I found myself making my way to once of the couches in the lobby and plopped down furiously. I usually don't hate people because my dad had told me that hearing people will not get me anywhere but I've never hate anyone more than my uncle Dre right now. I want him to leave and never come back.