doorknob.
Streamers covered the door and a huge star was hanging from the peephole.
He grabs her by her shoulder.
“Wait! You sure it’s okay for me to be here?”
“Ouch. That hurts, you know. I’m very delicate. She puts the phone in her bag and removes her shoulder from his grip. She rubs it.
“What’s up witchu?” She eyes him up and down. “Is there a problem?”
She straightens herself and focuses on Omar’s worried face.
“I aksked you if it’s okay, you know, for me to be here? But you’re so glued to those screens of yours, you know, that you haven’t heard a word I was sayin’.”
“Chill. Just chill, okay. If anyone has a problem with you bein’ here, they can deal with me.”
She shakes her head.
“And I’m not glued to my screens,” she rolls her eyes,” I just have a life. Can’t help it if I’m in demand. People can be so needy.”
She smirks.
He laughs to himself.
“You sure have some chip on your shoulder. Does that come with some shiny sparkles to blind everyone as you make your entrances?”
“What does that mean?”
She looks at her shoulders.
He tsks.
“Nothin’. And I’ll have you know, you know, that I don’t just barge into people’s homes. The man of the house has to be respected, in spite of what you might say.”
She purses her lips.
Rolls her eyes and lets out a soft sigh.
“They know you’re comin’, you happy now?”
He bites hard and his jaw tenses up.
“Why didn’t you just say so from the beginnin’, you know?”
He clenches his fists.
Blows of some steam and slowly relaxes.
“I didn’t think it was important. We’re both grownups, aren’t we? If my younger brother can bring his girlfriend, why can’t I bring a date too? Can we go… in… now… please?”
“Lead the way, Miss Mya.”
“Oh, we’re bein’ sarcastic now, are we? How very grownup of you.”
She opens the door and heads inside.
He takes his beanie off his head.
Peeks first.
Cleans his shoes on the Happy X-mas mat and heads in.
Gratitude Page 3
