Page 90 of Power Move

I returned homefrom a night of conversation, affirming sex, and cuddling, to find my sister and brother-in-law at my parents place. My sister was only days from her due date, and it occurred to me she was in the dark. I’d not spoken to her in about a month. She’d been so busy with baby prep and the baby sprinkle she was hosting next weekend that she had no time for me. I’d sworn my parents to secrecy, but as I paraded back into the house in a pair of shorts and t-shirt stolen from Davey, it appeared obvious.

I slumped into a chair by my nephew. He smiled and threw his arms around my body.

“Auntie Eva!” Miles declared, launching himself into my lap.

The real estate in my lap grew smaller by the day. It was so bad I had to buy a new maid-of-honor dress while shoe-shopping with Ellie this week. I’d given up trying to fit in the tight, pretty dress she’d chosen, electing for something a bit more forgiving.

“How are you?” I asked, brightly. “It’s been ages.”

“I got a dino!” Miles declared.

“Oh, how nice! Did you go to the Field Museum to see the dinos?”

“This morning,” Brooke said. “Alone.”

She was exhausted. Ian deserted her.

“Well, you should have called,” I said. “I would have come. I was in the city last night. I just got home.”

“Yes, just what I needed—you on a walk of shame,” Brooke rolled her eyes as Miles butted into my chest, squeezing me tighter.

“Buddy, that hurts,” I grimaced, ignoring her. “Can you love me a little less?”

“Be nice,” Mom said to Brooke. “Your sister was offering to help.”

“I’m always glad to come to the museum.”

“Uh-huh. So, what is going on with this guy?” Brooke snapped.

I straightened in my chair. “I’m seeing him. He lives in Chicago. I went to his mom’s party last night.”

“Oh, so it’s serious?” Ian asked. “Wait, this is amanyou’re seeing?”

He snickered in an immature way that made me want to smack him.

“Yes.”

“And he’s an actualman?”

“What do you mean?” I played dumb, waiting for him to tumble into a transphobic hole.

“He has the right plumbing.”

I rolled my eyes and bluffed. “Does it matter? I like him.”

“It’s just I wasn’t sure you’d know what to do with a real live man,” Ian joked.

No one jumped in to defend me. I deflected, bluffing, “The plumbing… as you say… doesn’t have to correlate with his manliness. But really, do you want to see a picture of it, Ian?”

I pulled out my phone as if Davey had ever sent me dick pics. He’d never do that. He knew better.

Disgusted, he said, “Ofcoursenot!”

I shrugged. “It’s a shame, really. Or, maybe for your sake it’s better? Comparison is the thief of joy.”

“Eva!” Brooke declared, shocked that I would give back to her manchild better than I got.

“Are you going to come to the sprinkle with him?” Brooke demanded.