Page 90 of True Sight

Conrad, I’m excited to see you and Margaret together.

Yeah, sure, us too. She’s actually with me now, we’re about to head over.

Malcolm:

Ohhh, a little pre-dinner dessert Good man.

I grimace at my phone at just the thought of what Malcolm is insinuating before texting him back.

Fuck you, Malcolm

Kolbi:

Leave it alone, dude.

Magnolia and I are also coming by as soon as she and Ms. Ruthie are ready, as long as that’s okay Hank.

Hank:

Yeah, that’s fine, we’re ready for you. Maybe with guests over Bailey will stop fussing about me not sitting down so my pants don’t get wrinkled.

Why my wrinkly pants matter at all I don’t know, you’ve all seen me in worse states.

Malcolm:

Ophelia is going to call Bailey now and see if she needs us to bring anything. We’re on our way.

Kolbi:

Leaving in 10.

Same here.

“You ready to put on a show?” I look up from my phone and ask Margaret.

“Born ready, baby.” And while she might be smiling and confident, my stomach flips and churns the entire way over no matter how many deep breaths I take. When we pull into the parking lot of Hank’s building and get out, Margaret steps up next to me and gives me an encouraging smile and bump in the shoulder before taking my hand into hers.

I guess it’s showtime.

The first halfof the evening had gone over fine enough. Everyone was polite and cordial and Malcolm had only beenable to make one remark before Ophelia dug her elbow into his ribs and threatened to take away all sexual acts for a week which seemed to put him in his place. Bailey, forever the expert party planner, had cooked up enough food for twenty people and it was all laid out on the table with precision. All the sides you could want to be on your Thanksgiving plate were there as well as a perfectly roasted turkey set in the center of the table.

“Bailey, this table is fantastic,” Margaret compliments from her chair which is right next to mine. Everyone’s plates have been labeled and we sit right next to each other. I shouldn’t be surprised, wearesupposed to be dating after all.

“Thank you. Magnolia helped me with the dinnerware and linens.” She tucks her chin into her chest and bows her head towards Magnolia who’s sitting next to Kolbi and Ms. Ruthie across the table.

“I love a good party.” Magnolia smirks and tips her glass to our host who toasts her back before they both take a sip of the champagne Malcolm and Ophelia brought.

“Well, let’s eat. Hank, would you do us the honors of carving the turkey?” Bailey asks, handing him the knife.

“Of course, hermosa.” Hank stands from the chair and looks at everyone around the table. “Thank you all for coming this evening. Bailey and I are so thankful to call you all our friends—our family—and hope for many more Thanksgivings like this in the future.” When he raises his glass to toast, we all hold our glasses up in agreement. Everyone around the table takes a drink as Hank starts to carve the turkey.

“Hopefully next year, your real date will be here.” Margaret turns her head away from the table to whisper into my ear. I smile to myself, like I do so naturally every time I think about him. We spoke earlier in the day and I knowhe’s out with his friends at Ellie’s bachelorette. My heart squeezes in my chest as it hits me again just how much I miss him.

“Hey, no flirtatious whispering at the table you two,” Magnolia jests, staring us down from her chair.

“Baby, leave them alone,” Kolbi hushes, touching her on the arm.

“No, please, keep going. I’m dying to know the whole story of you two.” Malcolm uses the door Magnolia opened and stomps his way through it, seizing the opportunity to hound Margaret and I as the dishes make their way around the table.