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Mariah trudged into her childhood home, following behind Morgan. The two had decided to join their parents for dinner at what had once been their family home. Their father had moved out after the divorce, but their mother still owned the residence. Mariah hadn't lived there since she was 16, and Morgan since she was 17. Mariah felt nervous about tonight, knowing she planned to have a very uncomfortable conversation with her family.
The Buckles sisters made their way into the formal dining room, where four placemats were set, one for each family member. They could hear their parents in the kitchen, conversing, the aroma of baked chicken and candied yams filling the lower level of the home. Mariah took a seat at the six-top, with Morgan sitting directly next to her. The two sat in silence until their parents joined them, each carrying a pan.
"Girls, go to the kitchen and wash your hands. Then bring in the rest of the pans," Karen said, setting a pan of baked macaroni on the table. She took a seat next to Mariah, while their father occupied the seat next to Morgan. "I spent all day making this food just to serve you two."
Both sisters groaned but did as they were told. It was the least they could do since their mom had decided to cook for them, even when Mariah suggested paying for the family to go out to dinner. She grabbed a bowl of collard greens, and Morgan took a pan of rolls and their Brita filter before turning to the dining room. "Are you nervous?"
"As hell," Mariah mumbled, shaking her head, a knot of anxiety forming in the pit of her stomach.
Morgan nodded understandingly, "You'll be okay."
The sisters made their way to the table, placing the rest of the food wherever it would fit. After blessing the meal, each family member passed around the food they wanted and passed on what they didn't. The four sat in silence until Derrick addressed his daughters. "So, how have my lovely daughters been doing?"
Mariah poked her fork around on her plate, too anxious to eat anything. Morgan noticed her sister's actions, realizing she wasn't going to say anything. "We've been fine. Just taking it one day at a time."
"I haven't talked to you guys in a while. What's new?" Karen asked. Her daughters were always so busy, ripping and running around the city that they barely had time to stop by for a chat. The three of them had a group chat, but that was less personal than face-to-face interaction.
"Nothing much. Mariah is working on a new project and I am doing my manager duties. That's all." Morgan kept it short, not wanting to go into detail since Mariah did not plan on talking anytime soon.
Karen looked between her daughters, noting the younger woman's silence. Mariah had barely touched any of her food, which was surprising because usually, she was the first to clean her plate. Mama Buckles placed her hand on Mariah's, taken aback by her shakiness. "Mariah, what's the matter?"
