Page 101 of Anything Goes

“Thank you. I made spaghetti and meatballs.”

Watching her as she hurried off to the kitchen, I smiled and followed behind her.

Tokyo's spaghetti and meatballs was one of my favorite dishes. I didn't know what she put in it, but I always went back for seconds. Shit, thirds if my stomach allowed it.

“I see you decided to cook up something you know I like. Is that your way of telling me that you’re sorry?”

She sighed. “You know I am. I never should have treated you the way that I did. I was just so overwhelmed…and embarrassed, of course.”

“You didn’t have any reason to be embarrassed. You didn’t do anything wrong. Reggie just showed his true colors and made it clear that he’s a piece of shit.”

“I know, but I allowed him to be that way around my son. I was going to marry him. Even after being warned numerous times that he wasn’t any good for me.”

“So what? You made a mistake. We all make mistakes.”

“Yeah, but what if he would have hurt Keyon? I would’ve never forgiven myself.”

“But he didn’t. You made sure of that.”

It was obvious that Tokyo felt extremely guilty about the role she played in the situation, and I desperately wanted to take that away. She didn’t deserve to be plagued with that.

“I just can’t believe I was so blind. I mean, how could I want a man that bad?”

“Look, everyone gets tired of being alone at one point or another. Sometimes, it makes us do crazy things. But you were smart enough to recognize the truth and get out of the situation. That’s all that matters.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one that—”

“Don’t beat yourself up about this,” I said, meeting her near the stove. “You’re an amazing woman, and you’ve raised an amazing son. That’s what I want you to focus on.”

I gave her a few more seconds to wallow in her sadness, then I lifted her head and reminded her that her crown couldn’t stay in place if her head wasn’t in an upright position.

No matter what, Tokyo would always be a queen in my eyes, and I had no problem reminding her of that.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around me, thanking me for understanding and always being there when she needed me.

I never thought twice about having my sister’s back. It just came naturally, and I knew that she would do the same for me.

When Keyon walked in the door, he headed straight for the table, but was quickly stopped when Tokyo said, “Boy, if you don’t go wash your damn hands...”

“But, Mama, I’m hungry.”

“Yeah, well, take your hungry ass in that bathroom and wash your hands. You better be glad I’m not making you get in the shower first. You smell like grass and ass.”

“Wow, really?” he said.

“Yep,” she replied. “You know what, on second thought, you might need to put some soap on your behind before coming to the dinner table.”

“I’m not waiting for him to do all of that,” I said, pulling out a chair. “My stomach is touching my damn back. I don’t think I’m going to make it.”

“Ten minutes isn’t going to kill you.”

“Tokyo, please don’t do that to me. I can’t wait ten minutes. I’m hungry now.”

“Wow, you two are spoiled as hell.”

“You shouldn’t be such a good cook,” Keyon said before snagging a slice of garlic toast from the table.

“Boy!” Tokyo shouted, popping him with a dishtowel.