Part 2: Of course I remembered.
How could I forget?
I had been planning that party for weeks. I wanted Andrew to feel loved and celebrated. She had just graduated from high school, and although her relationship with Marcus had been strained for years, she still expected a good night to calm things down.
Andrew went down the stairs dressed in black pants, polished boots and a beautiful burgundy blouse that moved gently as he walked.
I was nervous.
I hugged him and told him it was wonderful.
He smiled softly.
“I wasn’t sure if I should use that.”
“You should wear what makes you feel yourself,” I said.
“Marcus told me.”
His face changed immediately.
At first he didn’t say anything, but I recognized that look. It meant he kept his anger for later.
During dinner, he was unusually quiet. The relatives spoke, Andrew laughed with his cousins, and for a brief moment I allowed myself to believe that the night would go without another conversation.
So my sister asked Andrew if I had any plans to go to college.
Before Andrew could answer, Marcus interrupted him.
“It needs discipline more than a college degree.”
