Page 47 of Emani's Way

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I have suffered through forty-five minutes of dinner. I didn’t leave because I wasn’t going to let some arrogant a-hole run me out of my home. But it has been torture. Darrius sat across from me and stared the entire night.

Although I avoided eye contact with him, he kept trying to engage me in conversation. Amari ran interference, but he was persistent. It felt like nobody else noticed how aggressive this man is being.

It’s also funny how Zuri doesn’t think I notice how flirtatious she’s being with Darrius. I decide to watch her instead. As I continue to observe her, I see that she’s being uncharacteristically forward. Zuri is giggling, touching Darrius every chance she gets, smiling all in his face. Her behavior isn’t the only strange thing, the fact my Mama hasn’t commented on it is also weird. Zuri has been in a committed relationship for two years, and I know she’s looking for a ring.

“Zuri, where’s Kelvin? I haven’t seen him in months,” I interrupt her flirting.

Zuri’s eyes shoot daggers in my direction. If she could spit fire, my behind would be a sizzling crisp.Dang! Guess I touched a nerve.

“Kelvin and I decided to take a break.” Zuri straightens in her chair and throws a side glance at Mama.

“A break? After two years… since when?” Amari leans forward with her eyebrows raised.

I know this tea is piping hot. It’s probably what’s been stuck up Zuri’s butt for the past few months. And instead of confiding in her sisters that she was having problems with her boyfriend, she spent her time treating us like crap.

“It’s none of your business, Amari,” Zuri huffs.

“None ofmybusiness?” Amari touches her chest. “After you consistently stick your nose in any and everything we do. No, ma’am, I surely will not mind my business.”

“I’m not talking about this right now. Besides, we’re here to talk about Emani.” A satisfied smile crosses Zuri’s face.

“Me? I promise there’s nothing thatweneed to discuss,” I dismiss her.

The last thing I want to do is listen to my family berate me on whatever it is they’ve decided I’ve done wrong. I am tired of being the object of their ire. It’s unfair and exhausting.

“Oh, yes there is.” Darrius leans forward with his hands steepled.

If he’s trying to look like a supervillain in a comic book, he’s succeeding. This whole dinner has been one long cliché, and I’m over it.

“Nah, I think I’m going to head out. I’m meeting Maddox.” I stand up from the table.

“Speaking of Maddox…” Darrius pulls out his phone and scrolls for a second before pausing.

The only reason I’m still standing here entertaining this foolishness is because I want to know what they think they know about my man that I don’t. I can dispel whatever ignorant idea they have right now.

Darrius slides the phone across the table, and I pick it up. The picture is of Maddox walking into a strip club with one of the scariest men I’ve ever seen. But I’m not sure what this picture is supposed to prove.

I slide the phone back across the table. “I won’t be at service tomorrow. I’m busy.” I start to walk out of the kitchen.

“Emani! Come sit down so we can talk!” My Mama bellows out.

I’m trying to remain respectful, but they are really starting to piss me off.

“Tina, there’s no need to yell. Darrius, show me what you have.”

I walk back into the dining room as Darrius arrogantly stands up and hands my Daddy his phone. My Daddy’s brown face flushes red, and the anger I see in his eyes makes me take a step back. I can’t tell why my Daddy is mad because Dr. Miles Jackson doesn’t often show anger. He’s a forgive-and-let-live type of man, and I’ve always appreciated that about him, especially since my Mama is the exact opposite.

“We invited you into our home. Why would you feel the need to show us this trash?” My Daddy sits up and narrows his eyes at Darrius.

Darrius swings his attention to my Mama, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out where he got this bright idea. I don’t know what the issue is or what they’re trying to do, but I’m sick and tired of it.

“I just wanted Emani to see what kind of trash she’s dealing with. You all are prominent members of our community. It doesn’t look good for your daughter to be with a man like him.” Darrius is still looking at my Mama as if he’s waiting for her to back him up.

I look in her direction, and just like I knew she would she sneers in my direction. “Let me see that.” She grabs the phone from my Daddy then clutches her imaginary pearls. “Miles! Emani can’t date a man who hangs out in places like these. What will our parishioners think? Emani, you need to end things with this miscreant immediately!”

I almost feel like applauding my Mama’s worthwhile performance, but I’m too busy trying to keep my eye roll in check.