“Giving it to me? If the size is the problem, why not give it to your dad?”
“Please! If it ain’t John P. Kee, Paul Morton or The Rance Allen Group, my parents aren’t wearing it. To them, this is the devil’s music. If they had it their way, this would have been in the trash before it made it into their home.” Zoey giggled.
I was still in astonishment. I’d met Gene several times before, but strangely found this t-shirt impressive. Zoey always reduced me to a layman when I was around her. That was one of many things that drew me to her.
“You like that crazy metal music, too? Or is my Elizabeth here trying to force it down your throat?” Sarah asked as she placed a large plate of food in front of me.
There was greens, cabbage, yams, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, ham, chicken and BBQ ribs all packed on my plate. How she was able to fit it all was anyone’s guess. Next to it, she placed a tall glass of tea.
“Momma,” Zoey appeared nervous. “I hope Stenton can eat all of that food.”
“He’s a growing young man. I’m sure he can.” Sarah turned on her heel and walked out of the room, then called over her shoulder, “Oh, and I’ll be back with some dessert to go.”
I looked over to Zoey. She apologetically mouthed, “Sorry.”
“No worries at all. You think I’m gonna complain about this feast? You’re crazy,” I tried to assure her.
“Thanks, Stenton. I know how you are about being out in public. I didn’t expect to keep you long, but it’s good seeing your dorky face again.” Zoey’s smile was warm. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink. She was blushing.
“My face or my big ass fake teeth?” I asked before I placed a forkful of food in my mouth.
“Stenton!” she gasped. “Let’s not go there again. I know they’re real now. Okay?” she tried whispering.
So I did, too. “Good, because I’d like nothing more than to prove it again to you before I leave.”
Zoey’s head fell back in laughter. We did a lot of that for about a half an hour before I left. Sarah packed up my dessert as promised.
“How was your cousin’s wedding?”
“Oh, Karen’s?” Zoey shrugged. “It was a wedding…you know…the traditional vows recited that no one upholds past when they slip from their lips.” Then her eyes grew large in excitement. “But her baby is gorgeous! Here, let me show off my nephew!”
She pulled out her phone and showed me countless pictures of a colorless newborn and followed up the pictures with insignificant details of meeting him. With anyone else, this would have been painful to the point of my ears bleeding, but with Zo, everything was filled with wonder. She had a talent for that. I listened and dug into my plate.
When Zoey walked me to the door, the living room was empty.
“Thanks for dinner.” I raised my right hand. “And the gift.” I then raised my left. “This is really Christmas for me. I feel bad that it’s one-sided.”
Zoey shook her head and whispered, “No it isn’t. Here, I’ll make it even.” And she pushed up on her toes and kissed me.
At first it was a lingering peck, but then she came back for more and threw her tongue in the mix, twirling it, releasing a bunch of fucking butterflies in my stomach. I’d never had such a reaction to a kiss. Zoey did shit like that to me. She fucked with my head. My phone buzzed and she pulled back. Once fully on her feet, she timidly wiped her mouth as she sucked in her lips. That was a move uncharacteristic of the Zoey I knew. She never seemed to second guess herself.
“Goodnight, Zoey.” I’d lost my voice in that kiss.
“’Night, dork.” She smiled softly.
I moved so she could unlock the door, then opened it.
It was fucking hard leaving her without knowing the next time I’d see her, but I didn’t know how to address that. I still didn’t have a handle on this young girl.
“Keep in touch,” were my last words before I left her New Brunswick home.
I gotta get my shit together. She’s too young!
Chapter 4
Then
January 2007