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I focused back on the chess game, watching Em get his ass kicked. Daddy was knocking pieces down left and right. Em looked so stressed out. I wanted to help him so bad, but Daddy kept cutting his eyes at me, daring me to say anything.

“Don’t even think about it, babygirl. Let him take this ass whippin’ like a grown man.”

“I didn’t say anything, Daddy.” I rubbed Emery’s back to comfort him. “It’s okay, baby. I’ll practice with you.”

Em shook his head and made his next move. “That’s messed up, Vannah. You ain’t got no faith in me.”

“I dooo,” I said, leaning my head on his shoulder. “It’s just not looking good for you.”

To sit there and watch my Daddy whoop my man’s ass was torture. Em couldn’t win this game if his life depended on it. He needed to stick to basketball. This just wasn’t his speed, and I prayed he never asked for a rematch.

The front door swung open, and Mini stepped inside, throwing her coat across the banister. Her eyes searched the room, and when they landed on me, she skipped over, smiling. She kissed my daddy’s cheek, then stopped in front of me and kissed my cheek.

“Hey, Auntie Sav!” she squealed, dropping in my lap. “Did you miss me?”

“I always miss you, Mini. Where’s your mom and your sisters?”

“They’re coming. Helping Mommy and Daddy with some stuff Grammy asked her to bring,” she replied.

Daddy cut his eyes at me, then focused on the game. None of us took Selene seriously when it came to Khalil, and this was a prime example.

“Oh, okay. Go in there and say hi to your Grammy before she comes out here hollering about you not loving her.”

Mini rolled her eyes playfully and stood. “Grammy is sooo dramatic. I’m coming back, though. I want to talk about my birthday.”

“Girl, go ’head. First, it was Jiovanni begging. Now, you about to be begging. Y’all are ridiculous.”

Mini skipped away, laughing her ass off because she knew I was right. The front door swung open again, and Selene stepped through, followed by Everly, Eastlyn, then Khalil. Everybody looked happy, and that’s all I could hope for.

“Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes,” my mom said, standing in the doorway. “Selene and Savannah, come in here and help me set this table.”

I got up fast because I didn’t want to hear Mommy’s mouth. Selene grabbed my hand and pulled me aside before I could make it to the kitchen.

“You didn’t tell Mommy or Daddy, did you? I just don’t want today to be awkward,” she whispered.

“Now you know I ain’t tell them shit. Come on before Mommy or Aunt Mookie start asking why we’re in this corner whispering.”

Selene rolled her eyes. “Oh, my God. Is Aunt Mookie drunk already?”

“Yup! So, let’s go. I ain’t tryna be going back and forth with her.”

I tugged Selene through the kitchen to the dining room. Aunt Mookie was off to the side, doing more dancing than setting the table. Selene and I jumped right in and set up the kids’ table. Mommy always made it clear that on holidays, she didn’t want to use any paper products at her table. But she was the first one screaming about kids breaking glasses and shit.

By the time the table was set, Shaina walked in with our grandmother, Marjorie, behind her. Grandma Marjorie and my mom looked almost identical. They had the same caramel colored skin, thick brown hair, and a distinct beauty mark right beside their nose. Selene stood between them, looking just like them.

“Hey, Grandma. You look pretty today,” I said, walking toward her.

“Ms. Thing, I look pretty every day,” she replied, twirling in her dress. “Who do you think you got it from? Look at the women who came from me.”

“Ouuu, somebody is feeling themselves today,” I said, hugging her tight. “And you’re right. Been beautiful all your life.”

“And don’t you forget it,” she replied, kissing my cheek.

Grandma went around, hugging and kissing everybody, then sat in her regular seat. Shaina poured her a glass of wine. Selene started making kids’ plates, and I poured water into everyone’s glasses. Once the tables were set, Mommy called everyone to the dining room. It was so packed that everybody had to walk into the dining room in a line.

Every year, I asked Mommy if she wanted us to rent a hall or banquet room, but she refused. Five years ago, she had Daddy expand the house, so we could all eat in the same room. But with more babies being born, people getting married, and everyone getting older, it was getting crowded again.

Emery finally made it over to me. He sat down, grabbed my hand, and kissed the back of it.