The Restaurant Incident

EVO

"Yeah, we've been married for 17 years."

I sat still and listened to Mama and Kaycee talk. Their words sounded like delicate notes from a symphony as they floated through the air. At the same time, Bella's words mixed in with the conversation, but she was talking to Dad separately. I took a big breath and filled my lungs with fresh, energizing air. Uncle Mikel and I were sitting next to each other while Kaycee and Bella were at the other end of the table we all shared. The four of them had been talking for a long time, and Uncle Mikel and I felt a little out of place in the middle of their lively talk.

"You weren't married before Evo was born."

I turned to look at Kaycee because her question caught me off guard. As the rest of us looked at the fascinating scene before us, her gaze stayed fixed on my mother. I saw a slight change in the motherly figure's face as she briefly showed a mix of surprise and irritation in response to the question.

"Kaycee...," Bella scolded.