I obliged.
“Oh, there’s a kids version of this song? I love this song and this movie!” Cam said while singing along with the girls.
All three yelled and sang the lyrics to “This is Me”fromThe Greatest Showmansoundtrack. The girls had seen the movie and were hooked. I downloaded the soundtrack for them, and when the movie came to On Demand, I had to purchase it. They watched the movie almost every day, knew every song, and every dance move.
There was a quick pause in the song, and all three of them paused their movements until the break was over; then, they all started moving and singing again. After the song was over, Fee said, “Ms. Cam, you likeThe Greatest Showman, too?”
“I love that movie! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it. Is that your favorite song from it?” Cam asked.
“Yes!” Fee said.
“I love ‘This is Me’, but my favorite song is ‘Never Enough’,” Skye said.
“Oh, I love that part when she sings it for the first time in front of the audience,” Cam asked.
“Yep!” Skye said. “That’s one of the best parts.”
“My favorite song is ‘From Now On’,” Cam said.
“Oh yeah, the song at the end?” Skye asked.
“Yep, when they are all dancing at the bar,” Cam finished.
I personally hated musicals. AlthoughThe Greatest Showmanhad grown on me, I would never admit it.
Cam
Morris pulled the car in front of one of the largest houses I’d ever seen. It was a huge gray and black modern home. The double front doors were red, giving the house a pop of color. It made Lyrica’s house look cozy.
After I accepted the invitation to dinner, I quickly blocked my schedule, so I wouldn’t be in the shop too late. I needed time to find my outfit and get myself together. I needed to look as good as possible without looking like I’d tried too hard. Morris’ reaction to me when I’d opened the door let me know I’d made the right choice.
“This house is huge!”
“Yeah,” Morris said after turning off his truck. “He’s a custom home builder.”
“Oh,” I said while admiring the house from the truck.
Morris got out of the truck and opened the girls’ doors, then mine. I walked alongside Morris and the girls as he held their hands and walked to the front door. He was about to ring the doorbell when the big red door flew open and a little girl with milk chocolate skin and box braids squealed in delight, which caused Skye and Fee to squeal as well.
“Mommy! They’re here!” she yelled before grabbing the girls’ hands and leading them inside the house.
An adult sized version of the little girl appeared behind her.
“Hi,” she smiled. “Please come in,” she stepped to the side, allowing us space to enter. “Mr. Owens,” she extended her hand to Morris.
“Morris is fine,” he responded as they shook. “This is my friend, Cam.”
“Cam, nice to meet you. I’m Sallie. This is my daughter Patricia…”
“Patty, Mommy,” Patty corrected.
“Girl, if you don’t get on somewhere trying to correct somebody. I know what I named you,” Sallie responded.
That brief encounter let me know that we would be dealing with some regular old Black people. The house had me concerned that we would be drinking tea with our pinky fingers sticking out and talking about cricket matches.
“Hello!” A man said as he walked into the foyer. “Ms. McLaren?”
I did a double-take before I realized it was Professor Chadwick. He taught one of my business seminars in grad school.