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Glamma brushes my hair behind my ear. “Something seems different about this time. From as far back as I can remember, you only needed a couple hours to write somebody off without a second glass. Cheryl Lee’s loss isn’t worth your moping.”
I avert my gaze from her perceptive stare.
“Kiwi…” her stern voice causes me to rush in with an explanation.
“I demanded that Cameron never lie to me,” I say to my folded hands.
“That seems perfectly acceptable. I’m sure he agreed right away.”
“That’s what I said!” I leap from the bed to pace in front of her. “But his reaction…I just don’t get it. He said he’d try his best, but even the best intentions can’t prevent an inadvertent lie.”
“He isn’t wrong.”
I spin and glare at her. “Just whose side are you on, Glamma?”
She rolls her eyes. “Be serious. I’m on your side. The one that gets you down an aisle on New Year’s Eve at 11:30 PM. I’ve always loved the idea of ringing in the new year with a vow exchange.”
“That’s oddly specific, but not likely to happen.”
“It will. I’ve got money—I mean, I have faith in you two. You’re already in love, so there isn’t much left to prove.” Glamma drags me back to the bed.
“Am I though?”
“Repeat that one more time,” she says with a confused frown.
“How would I know if I’m in love? Cameron is my first for pretty much everything and I haven’t seen it much while growing up.”
“Now wait a damn minute. How are you in my face with this nonsense? Both Laila and I have shown you how loving relationships work.”
A spot on my skirt holds my attention.
“Kiwi…”
I give up the pretense. “I don’t remember much about G-papa before he died and G-mama is secretive about her love life. I bet you don’t even know who she’s seeing.”
It’s Onyx’s turn to avoid my stare. I let the silence drag on with all my silent question saturating the air.
“Oh, fine, I know who Laila is seeing!”
I grab onto Glamma’s arm, happy for the distraction.
“But I’m not telling you. With the exception of that motorcycle club of hers, Laila has always worried about how people perceive her. That’s why she talks more proper than I do although I grew up old money. She’s always felt like she’s had to prove something, and if people found out about her boyfriends…”
“Boyfriends? As in more than one? I’m not going to lie, that’s something I expect from you. I can’t remember how many times you’ve had numerous partners at the same time.”
Glamma clears her throat. “Yes, but that’s me. I’ve never hidden my love life from you because I never wanted you to feel pressured by society for feeling good about yourself and your relationships. Laila and I are not the same.”
I try to recall a time when I’ve seen any men at her place, but nothing comes to mind. “How long have they been together? They don’t even live in the same house. How healthy can their relationship be if she can’t tell the people closest to her about her men? And—”
“Now, Kiwi, I’ve raised you not to judge other people’s relationships. This works for them and it ain’t nobody’s business to question it.”
“Sorry, Glamma. You’re right. G-mama doesn’t need me butting into her love life. I wish I could get the same consideration.”
“Make another wish because that one don’t have a hell’s fire chance of happening. We claim elder rights and no one’s taking those away from us. We’ve lived too long and sacrificed too much.”
“Glamma!”
“I said what I said.”
