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was thrilled to see Chloe’s mom. It was nice to witness the reunion between brother and sister. Chloe’s uncle looked frailer than he had the week before at the hospital, but brushed off any concerns or questions about his health.
     
    “Letting me go home was the smartest thing those docs ever did. Now, everyone stop fussing over me and let’s eat!”
     
    Dinner was delicious. Brianna, seated to my right, seemed fascinated by me and kept asking various questions. I was expecting that kind of third degree from Chloe’s mother, but she seemed considerably less concerned with grilling me. I hadn’t completely dodged the bullet, though; I was sure there’d be time for an interrogation later. I leaned to my left and whispered to Chloe, “I think maybe your mother paid off Brianna.”
     
    Chloe smiled. “No, she just has a crush is all. It’s understandable.” She rested her head on my shoulder and I caught the raised eyebrow from her mother from across the table.
     
    Yeah, there would be questions later.
     
    Uncle Troy noticed and thankfully took the attention away from me. He looked at his sister with a wide smile on his face. “Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. Girl, you look all of thirty-five.”
     
    From the other end of the table Crystal laughed and said, “Well you know, black don’t crack.”
     
    “But we sure do spread,” offered Mrs. Brooks.
     
    With a spoonful of mashed potatoes halfway to my mouth I paused to look around the table. Everyone had found Crystal’s statement extremely funny. Apparently, the only people who hadn’t gotten the joke were Brianna and me.
     
    “What—” I started to ask, but Chloe placed a hand on my arm and explained.
     
    “It just means that black women tend to not wrinkle very much as we get older.”
     
    “Oh. And spread?”
     
    “Like junk in the trunk,” replied Paul.
     
    Chloe, Crystal, and Brianna laughed out loud. Chloe’s mother, who was seated next to Paul, gave him an amused look.
     
    “I like this one,” she said, and I felt a bit foolish and jealous.
     
    We were clearing the table for dessert when I found myself alone in the kitchen with Paul.
     
    “What the hell do you know about junk in the trunk?”
     
    He laughed loudly while placing dishes in the sink. I heard the intercom buzz, and a few moments later Chloe came into the kitchen.
     
    “Patrick, Charlotte’s here.”
     
    Even though I’d invited her I was still surprised that Charlotte had shown up. I hurried to the door in case she’d suddenly change her mind and leave. Chloe and Paul stayed behind to finish up in the kitchen. Everyone else was in the living room; Uncle Troy was opening up a deck of cards, challenging everyone within earshot to a game of Spades. I opened the apartment door and saw Charlotte just approaching the top landing. I barely recognized her.
     
    “Hey, bro.” She reached for a hug and, as we did, I could feel each of her ribs through the flimsy, over-sized sweater she wore. She smelled of stale cigarettes and another odor I couldn’t place. Her hair looked unwashed and flat, she wore jeans that were two sizes too big, and her feet were clad in flip-flops despite the cold November weather. 
     
    “Where are your shoes?” I asked. I wanted to ask more, but was at a loss for anything more substantial. My sister was hooked on something, and whatever it was it had her bad.
     
    My heart broke as she responded. “These are my shoes. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” We were still standing in the hallway; the front door was only slightly ajar. Despite the sounds of laughter and family pouring through the small opening, I felt sad.
     
    “Charlotte, what’s happened to you?”
     
    She rolled her eyes. “Jesus. I didn’t come here for a lecture.”
     
    “Why did you come?”
     
    “Uh, because I was invited. You’re my brother, it’s the holidays, I was hungry? Pick one.”
     
    “Are you two coming inside?”
     
    Chloe’s mom