Love Has No Labels (BWWM) ✔

Chapter 13: Meeting The Carvers

June 1981

"Marina, get me the ice cooler," Angie called to Marina.

"I'm one step ahead of you, Ang," Marina huffed, as she carried the heavy ice cooler over to Angie.

"Honey, you should have asked me for help, that looks way too heavy for you," Angie sighed.

"But you already had your hands full so I insist," Marina replied, setting down the cooler, heaving a sigh of relief.

Angie smiled amusedly at Marina. She was always so thoughtful of Angie, that she couldn't wish for a better little sister like her. Today was the big cookout her uncle Richard was hosting down in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. There was going to be a huge turnout, as her father's side of the family was huge. Her mother's side of the family was huge too, but most of them were scattered down South, while a minute amount of them lived in the Tri-State area like her mother did.

Angie felt a little nervous, however, because Austin and Liz were coming as well. She didn't know how her father's family would react to Angie's new boyfriend being a white man who's three years younger than she is. She didn't know what to expect. But the family knew Angie had a boyfriend, but never seen him personally, so they harangued Angie to bring Austin so they could meet him. Angie was prepared to take care of Austin and Liz in the event that ignorant folks would spew out foolishness. Austin's my boyfriend and someone's gonna make him uncomfortable over my dead body, Angie thought to herself.

Angie felt her nervousness fade away at that thought. The old Angie was gone. She was afraid of no one. She will defend her boyfriend no matter what the cost is. She had every right to, after the past few weeks that they have been a couple. In Angie's opinion, Austin was the perfect boyfriend anyone could ever have, so far.

They would always ride the bus together, sometimes the subway when there was a traffic jam. He would sometimes stay at her house on the weekends and watch TV while having makeout sessions. She even visited his family's house before for dinner, as Mrs. Phillips was a fabulous cook. His family was very funny and hospitable, and she enjoyed herself immensely. Angie hoped Austin would enjoy himself with her people.

The family was now showing up in numbers now in their designated area at the park. There was loud talking and laughing as they greeted each other. Angie and Marina were greeted by their cousins, Aunts, and Uncles, through the music blasting through the DJ system ran by her uncle John. Angie's heart started pounding when Austin and Liz came from within the entrance of the park.

"Oh, my God, Liz!" Marina shrieked excitedly, happy to see her best friend.

"Marina!" Liz shouted back.

They rushed towards each other and embraced in a bone crushing hug. Angie smiled as her heart warmed at their friendship. She also noted how Liz was much taller than Marina, she was even taller than Angie herself. But then again, all of Austin's immediate family was tall, except Mrs. Phillips. Her train of thought derailed when she felt a heavy hand on her waist and a kiss on her forehead. She turned to see Austin's smiling face. He looked so sexy in his sky blue button down shirt, with the first few buttons undid and his jeans. She noticed his hair was a little longer than before, and he was tanned just like the first day she saw him.

"Hey," Austin greeted lowly.

"Hi, glad you could make it, honey," Angie greeted back, claiming his lips to hers.

"Of course, babe," Austin replied.

"Shucks, that you, Austin?!" she heard her uncle Richard boom, walking towards the couple. Angie was completely shocked that Austin was friends with her Uncle.