Girls Love Beyoncé

74

BEYONCÉ KNOWLES

I woke up to the sound of aluminum foil crinkling, pots clanking, and somebody arguing about who used the last of the brown sugar.

Thanksgiving.

The house already smelled like sweet potatoes and smoked meat, and it wasn't even 10 a.m. yet.

I rolled over, half-asleep, only to feel an elbow poke into my side.

Solange.

She was curled up beside me, bonnet still halfway on, mouth slightly open. My baby. I didn't even remember her coming in last night, but I wasn't surprised. She always ended up in my bed when the energy in the house was off.

And lately? It'd been way off.

I stared at the ceiling for a minute. Listened to my momma laughing a little too loud downstairs. Tried to figure out who all was actually here.

Aunt Kim. Uncle Robbie. Probably cousin Tasha with the two kids she don't ever watch. And why we decided to host Thanksgiving this year was still beyond me.

I exhaled hard through my nose and slid out of bed quietly so I wouldn't wake Solo. Her arm twitched but she didn't move.

I stood there for a second, just looking at her. She looked peaceful. She didn't know everything, not fully. Not how bad it really got. Not how heavy love can be when it stops feeling safe.

But she felt it. I knew she did.

I pulled on a hoodie and headed for the door.

The noise downstairs got louder with every step.

And no matter how loud it got, I couldn't stop my heart from wondering — was she here?

Back in town?

Somewhere nearby?

Or was I just haunted?

I walked down the stairs, trying to shake off the sleep still sitting on my face. The house was already loud, and warm from the oven running non-stop. A gospel playlist was playing too loud off someone's phone speaker.

People were everywhere — folding chairs in the living room, foil-wrapped trays on the counter, laughter spilling from the kitchen.

"Look who finally woke up," my cousin Angie smirked, standing by the sink with a wine glass and a half-done face beat.

She wore her apron like a costume, not a job.

"I've been up," I mumbled, trying to sound more awake than I was.

"Oh please. It smell like drool and pillow in here. You just rolled out."

I smirked. She wasn't wrong.

Tina was at the stove stirring something like her life depended on it. She glanced at me but didn't say much at first.

Then: "Kelly and them coming by later."

I blinked. "Kelly? Like... her family?"

"Mhmm. You know auntie Tina invited everybody this year. Said she didn't want no drama or silence."

I nodded slowly. My throat suddenly felt dry.

Right. No drama. No silence.

I leaned against the counter, trying to focus on anything else. Solo still hadn't come downstairs. Maybe I should've stayed in bed too.

Then—

POP—POP—VROOOOOMMMM.

The sound came from outside, loud as hell. A car — no, multiple — speeding up and coming to sharp stops like they owned the whole damn block.