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"Oh wow, I can't believe we're almost there! Two hours just flies by with great company. Okay, if my parents ask, we can let them know that we've only known each other a few weeks, and if they ask about Malcolm, we can pretend to have forgotten all about him. Because honestly? Malcolm who? Am I right? And what's that sound?"
I had started growling at the name of her ex-suitor without realizing it. "I am unsure. Perhaps just road noise."
"Must be, it's stopped now. Anyway, if you ever want to tap out, just say that you need to take a phone call or something, and then we can say that your crew needs you– some emergency kind of deal, and then we can just leave."
"I won't need to leave. Don't worry."
"I'm not worried, but I just want you to know that you have options, is all."
She worried at her fingernails again. I reached over to touch them, loving that I had an excuse to make physical contact with her. Her skin was so soft. "Remember what you said about your nails."
"Dagnabbit." She took a nail file from her purse. "Thank you. This is still salvageable."
We fell into a companionable silence as she concentrated on her nail, the GPS witch calling out directions every now and again. Soon, we arrived in a small neighborhood that boasted a welcoming community. So welcoming, that they were even hosting a holiday block party the next weekend.
Our destination was at the end of a cul-de-sac. A handful of vans and SUVs were crammed inside the driveway.
Plum twisted in her seat to scope out the lay of the land. "Huh, I'm not sure if we should park in the driveway. It doesn’t look like we're going to fit. Let's try right in front."
I parked where she asked. Her family must have been on the lookout for her arrival because as soon as I parked, the front door opened and at least ten people spilled out.
Plum pointed toward the crowd, naming each individual and assigning a characteristic for them to help me remember. It was a good thing I was used to large, tribal gatherings where I needed to know names in a hurry.
“My mom and dad are in front of course. They’re Esther and Felix. My Auntie Bella and Uncle Benny are there, that's cool. They’re the ones at the end there who are genuinely happy. At least they'll balance out Auntie Glenna and Lucy. They’re the super judgey spinster aunts who feel the need to carry their designer bags around for no reason.” Plum placed her hand on the door latch.
"Wait," I said.
I didn't answer her questioning look, and it pleased me to know that she heeded my word with no explanation. I opened my door. As I sauntered around the front of the car, it was clear that I was the last thing Plum’s family expected arriving at their home. I raised my arm in a wave. "Greetings, family!"
Then I opened Plum's door, and helped her step down. "Hi guys!" Gone was that open and easy tone to Plum's voice. Her words held a brittle edge to it, and she held herself stiff and uncomfortable.
I wanted to tuck her back into the car until I could take away the source of her upset. As it was, I needed to be more of a friend than protector. After all, we were with family, and they wouldn't mean any physical harm.
Emotional trauma on the other hand…
"This is Kro. Kro, this is my family."
As if flipping a switch, each member started to speak separately as they swarmed around us. Soon, we were in the middle of a group tackle hug, and I was powerless to move lest I hurt any of them.
I hadn't been the recipient of hugs and back pats from strangers before. Of course, the ruse was that Plum had told them I was her partner, which opened the door for them to treat me like family.
Nevertheless, it was nice to be welcomed this way. The warm welcome made me feel homesick for the first time since I had arrived on this side of the Rift.
Questions came at Plum from all sides.
"What happened to Malcolm?"
"Do we care?"
"Can I check out the car?"
"Can I drive it?"
"Let's come inside!"
One tiny female that was unmistakably Plum's mom was the deciding voice. "Yes, let's go inside and eat! Then, we can hear all about Kro. And no, you're not doing anything with that car, you'll break it."
The last bit were directed at two gangly-limbed boys that barely cusped adulthood. These must be Plum’s young cousins. Childhood adolescence clung to them hard. I shrugged an "I'm sorry" gesture that they saw over their matriarch's head.
