“It is going to be fine, baby. My sisters-in-law and my nephew's wives are all wonderful. You are going to love them and they, you. Ok?” I take her hand and kiss it.
“Ok, Troy,” she says in more of a whisper. I recognize her false bravado but decide it will be easier to show her.
After breakfast, we clean up, get dressed and go for a ride. I drive them around our small town, pointing out the places we used to hang out. I also show Lissi new places that have been built since she left. Before I know it, we are pulling up to my mom’s house. Lisette barely gets Kari’s door open before she out and running into the backyard. Grabbing Lissi’s hand, I pull her to me and smash my mouth to hers. My hands grab her ass, connecting our bodies as our mouths do the dance. She moans as she feels me rubbing up against her. I want her mind on us. This moment. Nothing else. I know I have succeeded when she wraps her arms around me, and her tongue tries to take mine for a ride. Turning so she is up against the car, my hands roam all over her body. I could give two fucks where we are at this moment. Nothing matters right now, but the feeling of her in my arms and the smell of her need beckoning me to swallow it.
“Mmmm.” I hear behind me. Lissi freezes like she has just been caught by the cops. Kissing her forehead, I turn my body around, blocking hers from whoever was dumb enough to interrupt us.
“Brother,” Om says to me, raising his eyebrows. “Mom sent me out here to look for you when little mama ran in there by herself.”
“Yeah, she was a bit excited. Om, you remember Lisette?” I say moving so he can see her. Almost immediately I regret my decision. In a very un-Om-like fashion, he barely inclines his head to her before he begins to walk back into the house. I am about to say something to him, but he turns around, walks back toward us and kisses her cheek.
“Welcome back mouse.” he spins on his heels and walks into the backyard. I look toward, Lissi, knowing that Om calling her mouse must have brought back memories. Back then, when we were inseparable, my brothers called her ‘mouse’ because they said she was so quiet, you wouldn’t know she was in the room until she was right on top of you. Before I can ask her if she is ok, she turns to me.
“I knew this was a mistake, Troy. Your family hates me.”
“No, they don’t. No doubt Taryn, that’s his wife, has gotten him worked up about something, knowing the two of them. Come on. You’ll see. “I drag her into the house filled with everyone I love. I can see Kari making the rounds, already the life of the party.
“Daddy! I have so many uncles and aunties. Did you see all my cousins?” Her excitement is contagious. I laugh as I pick her up and walk the rest of the way into the room.
“I see you all have met my daughter Kari. This is her mom, Lissette.” I am not sure what I expect. Maybe a wave, some handshakes. Perhaps for all the girls to embrace her and bring her into their circle. What I don't expect, is for the room to be suddenly filled with animosity and so much disdain, goosebumps are forming on my arms and neck and they’re my family.
Fuck!!! Did I just make a mistake?6LissetteI knew this was a fucking mistake. I just knew it. They won’t understand. All they will see is that I left and kept Kari from Troy. After a torturous amount of time not talking to anyone, we eat dinner. There are conversations going on all around me, but none of them include me unless Troy asks me something. Thank God, they are including Kari. She is the oldest kid here, but the toddlers are looking up to her like she is their little queen. It’s beyond cute. When dinner is over, I breathe a sigh of relief, we can finally get the fuck out of here, but I guess that isn’t to be. Troy takes his siblings out in the backyard and I am left alone with his parents. I help clear the table and do the dishes. It really is like old times. When we are done, Enid sweeps me up into a big hug. A hug I didn’t know I needed. Desperately. I struggle to keep my tears at bay, but it’s hard.
“Enid, let the girl go. You are squeezing the life out of her.” I look over Enid’s shoulder to see Troy’s dad standing there.
“Hush, Thor. Can’t you see she needs this,” Enid says. I can’t help but laugh at these two.