Page 57 of Lau Ahi
“Acing something like that is what you see from psychopaths, sociopaths or others that would be considered on the fringes of society. It’s the reddest of red flags.”
“And this is who you’re setting Teegan up with!” Sasha was sitting up and the look of mortification on her face made me think she was going to book a jet to rescue Teegan.
Nev waved her off as if her reaction wasn’t warranted. “You act like it’s a bad thing. As long as it’s not directed toward her—”
Sasha looked distraught and her gaze was trained on me yet again. “Christ, Asha, she’s normalizing madness. Maybe you should rethink this.”
“Too late! She’s agreed!” Nev clapped her hands thrilled I was trapped in all of this with her.
“Besides, it’s not as though we aren’t all a little mad.”
“That much we can’t deny.” The line went quiet with Teegan’s words as we all reflected on the things we had done or endured.
“It won’t be so bad, Asha. I’ll find out whatever I can from Midas because I’ll cry if he tries to deny me.”
Teegan shook her head empathetically. “Don’t even have a positive test yet and you’re using it against that man.”
“Damn right. He enjoys the trying as much as I do but only I have to worry about the results. Sasha, if she were in a bad spot I’d say something but maybe this is what she needs.”
“Sheis on the phone by the way.” The three of them ignored my sarcasm and continued on.
“Anyway, on to lighter topics.” Teegan tried to lighten the mood by giving us something else to think about.
“Exactly! Asha, what are you thinking for our bridesmaids’ dresses?”
I wasn’t sure if it was the wine clouding my judgement or if my sister was really behaving this way. “You’re pivoting from outrage to fashion? How?”
She smoothed her hand over her hair and smiled. “It’s my coping mechanism don’t judge me.”
“I mean it seems like Asha is completely set on this course of action so the only thing we have to do is to go along with it. Make the best of the situation and make her wedding one that’s memorable. Hell, I don’t know about you but I didn’t think this day would come. We might as well make it beautiful.”
“Well, dang, Nev, just give me away to anyone.”
“I’m sorry to tell you but I’m probably going to go overboard. I know that we’re your maids and matron of honor so it’s up to us to make this perfect especially since we know you don’t care.” Sasha’s warning was received and she fully intended for me to heed it.
“You’re right I don’t.”
“And frankly, I know that they’ve got a bunch of rules and protocols so you’re going to get annoyed quickly. We can be your voice and you won’t have to stress about any of this.” Sasha wassmiling again and I could see the excitement about this wedding she had been lamenting only minutes before.
“And who knows it might be a good way for you and your fiancé to get closer.”
I huffed at the dreamy look on Tee’s face. “Ever the romantic, Teegan.”
She stuck her tongue out at me and I laid my head on a throw pillow since these three were not about to let up anytime soon.
“Stop being a cynic. Life has a funny way of working out for you. Nev is proof of that so maybe this is your fairytale coming true.”
“I would make a wager but that’s the quickest way for life to prove me wrong. I’m sure that it’ll just be one of the great tragedies and I’ll learn to live with it.” I let my eyes close because they were going to continue on with or without me. I was going to relax on this sofa and let them have their way.
Sasha’s voice invaded my quiet as I drifted off. “I guess only time with tell but right now, what colors do you all think we should wear?”
FAMILY MATTERS
ASHA
I flopped back on the sofa inside my office trying to pretend that what was going on in my house wasn’t going on.
But it was.
