My brother sank a little lower in his chair. “I’m sorry about that too.”
“Good.” I grinned. “Now, tell me exactly what Ralph said about me and how he said it. Oh, and what kind of socks was he wearing? The last time I talked to him, there were ducks on his socks. I bet there was something even cuter on his socks this time.”
Charlie ran a slow hand down his face as if smothering the flames of his annoyance. “Whales,” he said, like a curse. “The guy had whales on his socks. And he was wearing suspenders.”
I cooed because I knew it would annoy him even further. “Oh, my God. How adorable is that?”
August 7th, 1968
I am amazed by these human rights movements in America. We have crossed the border and learned western medicine, but I am distracted by these large movements for justice.
The whole world is full of injustice. Many, far too many to count, all over the world have no basic human rights and live with overwhelming oppression. But Americans are demanding the right to legally do and be and live. It’s mind boggling. These great leaders of men, individual icons that inspire, and the countless, nameless bodies that follow for their deserved justice…
I have a hard time comprehending it. Dymeka and I have always operated within a country or cultural system according to how things are. We desire the right to something, but we never thought to demand and fight and reform the systems or cultures.
I remember Segil and Izz. They sought, by any means, to reform a system to serve their purpose of safety and of acceptance. I can see now that their actions have, in fact, affected more people than just themselves. For better or for worse, they have caused change for others.
I hope Dymeka’s actions and my own have caused true change.
Chapter 33
Esmeralda
I glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the sitting room. My mom and Hunter landed forty-five minutes ago. My aunt had gone to pick them up from the airport. They should be back any minute.
If I could pace, I would. Instead I was confined to Aunt Dinah’s armchair where the only way to release my nervous energy was to bounce my good leg and tap my fingers against the armrests.
Charlie was doing his statue impression by the fireplace. He’d left his ball cap at home and had chosen to style his hair instead. Or maybe it had been windblown naturally when he’d skateboarded over here. He wore the dark, stoic expression I’d expect to see on a teenage Bruce Wayne with a red and black flannel shirt, skinny jeans, and bulky skater shoes. The way he carelessly leaned a shoulder against the bricks and left his hands in his pockets…well, let’s just say I was really looking forward to being horizontal with him again.
If we survived the evening.
Last night, while doing homework and fighting the temptation to make out until after we were both done, Charlie had asked me point blank who I wanted him to be when he met my mom and stepdad for the first time.
He’d shrugged at my look of confusion. “I can play the part of the good, naive kid who actually cares about college and good grades and stuff. If that’s the kind of person your parents wouldn’t give you a hard time about dating.”
“What? Nah. Just be you on a good day, Charlie boy. I don’t need their approval. I’m under Aunt Dinah’s roof right now and she approves of us. That’s all I really need.”
And I meant it. It wasn’t like my mom or stepdad could forbid me from seeing Charlie if they didn’t approve of him; they had no authority in Aunt Dinah’s house. I mean, they could ask the old lady to make sure I didn’t date Charlie anymore, but I doubted she would agree. No, I wasn’t worried about that at all.
I was worried about what Hunter would do or say. He was a bully, plain and simple. My mom wasn’t going to keep him in check; I didn’t think she even knew how. Aunt Dinah was probably the only one with any stones to call Hunter out for being an asshole but I didn’t know what kind of relationship they had. It was up to me to protect my very new boyfriend from my dick stepdad. Not that Charlie couldn’t protect himself, but his method of dealing with people who annoyed him tended to involve giving them the silent treatment or staring at them until they went away. Neither of which would work with Hunter.
The most my mom could do was embarrass me by sharing childhood stories that should never be shared, or by asking Charlie too many awkward questions. I could change the subject if things got too weird. I had no problem telling her to butt out if that didn’t work. My mom on her own was manageable. But with her and Hunter…
Tonight was going to be about as fun as a visit to the dentist.
“Charlie,” I groaned, reaching out to him as if asking for help.
He shot me a pained look. “Please, don’t make me be the optimist. I suck at sugarcoating things. Besides, we both know tonight is going to be hell. Might as well embrace it.”
“Couldn’t you at least try?”
Charlie seemed to think about it for a second. “Tonight’s going to be fun.” He tried again, swinging his fist across his chest while wearing a cheesy-looking smile. “Tonight’s going to be fun.” Then he shrugged, giving up. “Nope. Sorry.”
I found myself smiling. “Well, you gave it your best shot.”
“I did,” he said with a straight face.
I beckoned him over. He pushed away from the fireplace and crossed the room to lace his fingers with mine. I had to tug twice to get him to come down to
