“Everyone, this is Gabriella,” Marc says proudly as he carefully watches every move of her skirt. It’s obvious. He’s in love. Gabriella glances over at us like we’re germs but waves politely. Maybe she’s just one of those stuck-up college girls who forgot what it’s like to be a kid.
Marc runs over to Sally and gives her a big bear hug, which obviously makes her uncomfortable. “Put me down!” Sally fights his affection. “You smell like a whole bottle of cologne!”
“Is that right? Well, the grown ladies love it,” he kids. Then he turns to me.
“Kayla, girl.” Marc stares at me with a smile. “Look at you. You’re just as pretty as Aunt Sarah! Come here and give me a hug.” Really! That’s the same thing my aunt said. Maybe they mean it and it’s true…or is it just more Southern hospitality?
Suddenly my little cousins Michael and Eddie burst through the door, followed by Cameron. They jump on Marc, toppling him to the lawn. Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Larry appear soon after like a welcoming committee. Uncle Larry greets his son as if he hasn’t seen him since forever, and Aunt Jeanie gives the girlfriend a stiff smile. It’s hard for Aunt Jeanie to fake her feelings. But maybe she just doesn’t know much about the girl and doesn’t trust that Gabriella’s not going to break her firstborn’s heart. I’ve seen it all too many times in the movies.
Marc and his girlfriend head inside as we try to pick up where we left off.
“Why don’t we just admit it: we’re not going to win,” Sally insists. And we’re back to negative again.
“We’re not giving up,” Melissa chimes in. “We’ll just have to think of something.”
“Thank you, Melissa,” I say. “I’m glad someone’s staying positive.”
“How about trying something with music first?” Tina suggests.
“That’s a good idea!” I say, reinvigorated. Until:
“Hey, girls,” calls Aunt Jeanie from the stoop. “Why don’t you ladies come in for some lunch and visit with Marc for a while?” She had the team at Hey, girls. I drop the ropes and join everyone inside. Okay, maybe we are doomed. Ugh! Sally’s negativity is becoming contagious. I can’t let that happen. I decide to just forget it for now and have lunch.
Aunt Jeanie gathers everyone in the family room to eat. Marc wants us to watch some video of him and his frat brothers. Tina and Melissa are looking around like they have no idea what to expect, and neither do I. He casts a video from his phone to the TV. It’s a step contest! And it’s crazy!
“A step contest?” Tina asks, genuinely confused. “What’s stepping?”
“It’s kind of like synchronized dancing,” Melissa answers. “It’s an African thing.” Everyone stares at Melissa for a moment. It’s awkward. “What? My cousin dates a black guy from Morehouse,” she says with a little Egyptian move, as if it clears the air. I snicker. I can’t help it. She is so funny.
“Well, you’re sort of right, Melissa,” says Marc’s girlfriend. “Fraternities and sororities at all colleges put on some sort of display of discipline and organization. And at some black colleges, yes, we step.”
“And we Q’s are off the chain!” Marc says. “Ain’t that right, Gabriella?”
“You guys are a’ight,” Gabriella kids. My uncle clears his throat, to which she says, “Okay, you guys are the best.”
“That’s more like it,” Uncle Larry says as he and Marc bump fists. I’m guessing he’s from the same fraternity.
“Well, come on here, girls, and check this out,” Marc says, directing our attention to the TV screen. “I’ma show y’all what stepping is.” All of us sit there and keep our eyes peeled as Marc casts another video. We watch these guys put on a show of chants and stepping routines. There’s music and lights, and the moves are strong, with stomps and lots of high energy. The guys get the audience into it. And it works. People are cheering and jumping out of their seats. The family room erupts in applause when Marc’s fraternity is done.
“This is great!” says Tina, really into it. “That was so awesome!”
“You were great, Marc!” I say. “You guys make college seem like so much fun.”
“It ain’t all fun and games, li’l cuz,” Marc says with a smile. “Like Gabby said, it’s a display of discipline…mixed with a little fun. But, yes, the university experience is pretty awesome.”
Aunt Jeanie steps over everyone to plant a kiss on her son’s cheek. I wouldn’t believe it if she wasn’t proud of anything Marc did.
“Good grades and talented,” says Aunt Jeanie, excited.
“Thanks, Mama, but I don’t want to take all the credit,” says Marc. “I had a secret weapon.” He looks at Gabriella. She seems surprised by what he just said.
“Honey?” says Gabriella. “I am captain of the cheerleading squad,” she explains to us, “and I just showed him a few moves is all.” Ah! That’s where the snooty air came from: captain of the cheerleading squad.
“Well, I wouldn’t tell my frat brothers that,” Uncle Larry insists. “As a matter of fact, I’m gonna act like I didn’t even hear that. Girls choreographing us back in the day would’ve never happened.” Wait! I suddenly have an idea.
“Maybe you can help us with our routine,” Melissa says to Gabriella.
