The family reunion. AKA, the last place I wanted to be. My family was the most fucked up bunch of people, but once a year everyone came together over barbecue, Spades, and free liquor. I got hugs and kisses from relatives that wouldn't let me stay with them when I was on the streets, same folks that couldn't be bothered to give me five dollars to feed myself. Today, however, none of that matters. Today, we were a family that loved one another unconditionally.
I told moms I wasn't going. Like she did every year, she pressed the issue until I caved in. And just like every year since I was sixteen, I sat at a picnic table alone with my headphones in.
The reunion was in Chapwell's park. Somebody got permission for us to use the field for our gathering, the space plentiful for picnic tables, a big grill, lines of food tables, cards and dominoes tables, plus space for the kids to play football and run around without disturbing the adult's fun. Some of the cousins had made it their business to set up a hoop in the parking lot. I made it my business to stay away from it all.
"You want a plate, baby?" Auntie Yandy asked me. She was fanning herself with one of those fans they give you in church. It had the face of some old lady in a huge, pink hat.
"Nah, I'm fine."
"Why don't you go talk to your cousins? They ain't seen you since you got out."
"I'll be over there in a minute."
"Alright now. I love you, baby. You look so handsome."
She gave me a wet kiss on the cheek and waddled away. Same woman that had called the police on me when me and her son got into it over some kiddy shit as teenagers.
I realized my beer was empty. I threw the bottle away and found the closest cooler to grab another one. As I was taking my first swallow, I noticed an uncle trying to wave me over. I pretended not to see him.
"Can you hand me one?"
I reached into the cooler and pulled out another freezing wet bottle. When I looked up to hand it to the voice that had asked for it, I was stunned by the thighs in my line of sight. They were thick and moisturized, gleaming in the July sunlight. My eyes traveled up the romper she wore, which was practically booty shorts the way the gray fabric was riding up in her pussy, her cameltoe prominent. I snapped my attention to her face, realizing this was probably family I was staring at.
She looked familiar. I tried to remember what family member she was, whose house I'd seen her at, but it was a memory too far away to capture.
I twisted the cap off the beer and handed it to her. She thanked me, raising it to her lips.
"Why aren't you mingling?" she asked.
"I am, telepathically."
She smiled. "Still sarcastic, I see."
Obviously I had known her for her to know I was sarcastic, I just didn't remember her. Life had been rough for a couple of years. I must've just forgotten her along with a lot of other childhood memories. I wanted to ask who she was, but I didn't want to make her feel bad about me forgetting her.
"How's your mom doing? I haven't had a chance to talk to her. She been at the card table all day."
"They are rabid over there. She's good though. Dragged me here kicking and screaming like she always does."
"How was it last year? I heard two fights broke out."
"I wouldn't know. I dropped mom off, stayed maybe ten minutes, and left. Why didn't you make it?"
"I had exams."
College girl. Which relative did I know had left for college? None came to mind.
