Within sixty seconds of our dinner guests arrival, I know all is lost.
The moment we fire up the door, Jupe squealssomething Iveneverheard her do before.
Then she throws her arms around the girl on the other side of it.
Credit: Random House Children’s Books
The girls dad looks about as startled as I feel.
After the longest rocking hug Ive ever witnessed, they let each other go.
You got your hair trimmed!
Jupe says, reaching out to touch it.
Though it makes you even prettier.
Peeked in a mirror lately?
Like full-on rosy cheeks.
What the hell is even happening right now?
Hi, Im Jupiter, Jupe says, extending her hand to the girls father.
Kenneth Chin, he says with a smile.
Its great to meet you, Jupiter.
I swear youre all Rae talks about these days.
Jupe looks like she just stumbled into an underground cave filled with enough gold to end world hunger.
As intheRae?Raeof the giggle- inducing text messages Rae?
Fuck you, universe.
Her eyes bounce back and forth between me and Jupe.
Oh, ignore him, Jupe says, waving me off.
Is she serious right now?
I extend a hand to the dad first.
Its nice to meet you, Dr. Chin.
Oh, call me Kenny, he says.
Like Mom would let that fly.
And, Rae, its nice to meet you, I say.
Jupes told me almostnothingabout you, but I know yall text a lot
Coop!
Jupe elbows me in the ribs.
She really is pretty.
Nice to meet you, too.
Well,formallyat least.
As my big-ass hand basically eats her little dainty one, I take her in.
Just like Jupe, shes hard to pin down.
Nice lips, too.
And I recognize her now.
Ive seen you at school, I say.
Now I feel like a dumbass.
Oh, wonderful, our guests have arrived!
Mama says as she approaches from behind us.
Come in, come in!
Rae and her dad step into the house.
Right this way, Mama says.
The guys are in the living room.
Dr. Chin and Rae follow Mama, but I catch Jupes wrist to hold her back.
She turns to me, still beaming.
You knew she was coming?
Eyessparklinglike the Fourth of damn July.
We figured it out yesterday, she says.
And you didnt tell me?
That thisgirlwho obviously makes youso happywas coming to MY house for dinner?
What was there to tell?
I get to the living room just as Mama finishes the introductions.
Which is fine, of course.
I can just tell he doesnt know what to do with the information.
And now Im really curious about Rae.
What if Rae is batting for the same team as Jupe, and Dr. Chin doesnt know it?
But then again, he looked sohappyabout whatever was happening between the two girls.
I just heard Jupe say, Dude, your eyes areamazing.
Theyre like the inside of a just-ripe avocado.
Oh my gosh,yoursare like tree sap backlit by sunlight.
Again, Dr. Chin looks thrilled.
Is this a normal thing for girls to do?
Jupe says Breanna isnt her pop in.
Which leads to other questions: How muchhavethey been talking?
Do they see each other outside of school?
Did they hang out at all during my Game Plan hiatus?
So, Rae, you should know youre a lucky girl.
Courtney and Jupiter are Decatur High royalty.
Mama, put the glass down, c’mon.
Im just making sure she knows she doesnt have to worry about making friends!
you could say that again.
Oh, you shhh, Rae replies with a blush.
Im missing something here.What am I missing?
This is driving me bonkers!
Courtney, I hear youre quite the basketball player, Dr. Chin says.
My cheeks burn, not that anybody can tell.
Ah, Im not too bad.
Dont let Mr. Humble Bumble fool you, Doctor, Papi says with a wave of his fork.
Definitely one of the highlights of my childhood.
Cuatro has been the leading scorer on the team every year since the fourth grade, isnt that right?
And he winks at me.
Papis called me Cuatro for as long as I can remember.
Said it was because hed never met afourthbefore.
Jupe smiles at her but looks at me and crosses her eyes really quick.
Its this little thing we do when one of the parents is getting too parent-ish.
So shehasntforgotten me in the face of a pretty girl.
Mmhmm, Jupe says before shifting her attention to Dr. Chin.
Im in charge of a couple of volunteer organizations, and I run Iridis, our schools GSA.
Gay-Straight Alliance, Jupe says.
Yes, sir, I am.
Dr. Chins face goes crimson, and he smiles and looks down at his plate.
I cant decipher Raes reaction because she literally doesnt have one.
No pause of her fork or rapid blinking or twitch of a finger or small smile.
So what about you, Rae?
Mama is practically singing now.Dear Lord, dont let her be asking Rae if shes gay .
.Did you participate in any extracurriculars at your old school?
Rae was in the Eight Hundred Club, Dr. Chin says, grinning.
Proud dad moment, he says.
She also constructs incredible crossword puzzles.
I think thats amazing.
From Jupe, batting her eyelashes, the asshole.
I knew your vocabulary was pretty impressive just from talking to you, but seriously?
Rae blushes even deeper, and Dr. Chin laughs.
At three years old, the only item on Raes Christmas list was a dictionary.
Mama, Papi, and Dad all chuckle.
Rae puts her face in her hands.
Hey now, nothing wrong with beautyandbrains, Jupe says.
She nudges Rae, who justbeamsat her.
So were you involved in anything else at your old school?
I was a cheerleader.
OPPORTUNITY!Oh yeah?
She looks at me and grins.Finally!
Do you notseeher, Coop?
You really had to ask?
She nudges Rae again, and they explode into a fit of giggles.
Courtney Cooper, thou hast been broughtlow, brah.
You know, Coops a cheerleader, too, Jupe says.
I saw him on the sidelines at the game yesterday, from Rae.
Am I not sitting right here?!
Jupes face lights up like its Christmas.
Coop, you should see if it’s possible for you to get Rae on the squad!
It would be perfect!
Oh,nowshes okay with cheerleading?
Am I being petty?
Yeah, dont care.
I force a smile.
Ill see what I can do.
Excerpt copyright 2018 by Andrea Livingstone.
