Christmas Secrets: A Short Story by J. Nichole

Author:J. Nichole [Nichole, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0788VQM4B
Publisher: Not The Last Page
Published: 2017-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Kissing Cousins

“Where’d you two disappear to,” Kenya asks with her hand perched on her hip. Hips that mimic mine. “Do I even want to know,” she asks as James and I look at each other. I shake my head before I leave them in the living room. The sisters have vacated the kitchen and Memaw is sitting at the kitchen table across from Grandpa Dean. I join them at the table and wait for Memaw to tell me to stay out of grown folks business.

But she doesn’t. Instead, she asks, “Where’s that man, honey?” I look at Grandpa Dean and he has his eyebrows raised, waiting for me to respond.

“He’s in the living room with Bean and Kenya.” I look to Grandpa Dean and ask, “Where’d you go after breakfast?”

He leans back in his chair. “Your grandfather is getting old. I can’t hang like I used to.” Memaw smacks her lips. “Unlike your grandmother, who can stay in the kitchen keeping herself busy all day, I needed a nap.” I nod my head.

“You just brought your boyfriend home and you’re already leaving him with your cousins,” my grandma says. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”

I look at her with my eyebrows stitched together. “You think they’ll share embarrassing stories of me?”

“That’s the least of my worries, dear.” Grandpa Dean taps his hand on the table, interrupting my grandmother.

“She’s worried that your cousin may steal your man.” My head snaps towards Grandpa Dean. “Blame me. I left her trusting nobody. Not even her own family.”

I look around the kitchen and blink my eyes a few times. This is the most candid my grandparents have ever been. Guess I’m not a kid anymore.

“You know that girl has always seen you as competition.” Memaw shakes her head. “I don’t know where she got that from. We don’t raise our kids to be jealous of anyone.”

“I wouldn’t trust her walking around him with those clothes on, jealous of you or not,” Grandpa Dean says matter-of-factly.

“It was nice chatting with you two.” I stand to leave the kitchen and they both laugh.

Kenya is wedged between a sleeping Bean and a relaxed James. I sit on the chair across from them. “I was just talking to James about the city. Hard to believe he’s barely been around Atlanta.”

“My parents didn’t travel much when we were growing up.” James leans forward. “But Corrine has promised she’ll give me a proper tour before we leave.”

“That’s right. I’ll give you a grand tour.”

“Maybe you can bring him to one of my shows.” Kenya laughs. “Can’t come all the way to the A and not see some of the best entertainers in the world.” James begins to cough. “Don’t worry, couples come in all the time.”

“Get your butt out of here. Always causing some drama.” I look at Kenya and we both stand to head to the kitchen where all the commotion is coming from.

Aunt Denise is standing near Grandpa Dean at the table while her sister Mary is wagging her finger in her face.

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