Hidden Valley (D. SWING)

XXVII. Responsibility

"It's so nice to have everyone here tonight."

Tasha wryly smiles up at Ananda as her children come in and out, setting the table... well, her child. Dalvin sits beside her, watching WWF with Javon. Don took over for Javon earlier within the process. He and Cynthia move with a quickness, trying to set the table and get it over with.

"Yeah," agrees Tasha.

Ananda opens the oven, pulling the roast from the rack, placing it on top of the stove's tray that spreads between two of the eyes. "It's just been so much going on and it is so nice to have one big dinner like in the older days," Ananda smiles. She's been on a lighter note every since returning from South Carolina, an even lighter note since Javon returned residency to her home. "This is going to be a night to remember."

Tasha's wry smile returns, her lips purse as she slowly nods. "I bet you it will be, Ms. Ananda." Ananda, being so distracted with her roast, allows Tasha to slither out of the kitchen and into the hallway. She plans to take a seat on the couch when she hears an annoying pssst being thrown her way from the center of the dark hallway. Her brows twist as she realizes it is Dalvin holding up the hallway telephone. "Boy, what are you doing?"

"Letty's on the phone."

She takes the phone from Dalvin. "Hey," Tasha says to their friend.

"Marley called me. She said they drove past her house so, I guess they're on their way." Tasha exhales as her nerves rise with her heart rate. "You guys can relax though. It'll be intense, but I doubt anybody will be bold enough to say anything to Derek since Javon's there so— yes, ma'am?" Paulette is heard speaking to her mother. "Okay, I gotta' go. My mom has company. Call me tonight," she whispers. Tasha hums in response. "I'm coming, mom!"

The line cuts.

Tasha looks at Dalvin, who looks down the hall to witness Ananda opening the door with a welcoming smile as Dalvin's parents and older brother enter. They exchange expressions. Dalvin shakes his head, "Why we gotta' live in a Dynasty episode?"

"Lights, camera, action," sighs Tasha. She places her hand on Dalvin's shoulder as they sluggishly shuffle back to the main era of the family function.

Big Mama comes descending down the chair, making the grand entrance of the grandmother that she truly is. They all make their way to the table. A majority of the seats are filled as an invisible line of division is blatantly apparent to those aware of the entire situation going on. At the head of the table is Big Mama, to her right is Ananda. Beside Ananda is a special order. Javon sits next to Don, who sits next to Cynthia. Dalvin sits across from Cynthia and next to Tasha, who placed herself in that seat to keep Derek being next to Dalvin. She is uncomfortable at the sake of keeping Dalvin completely settled. Next to Derek is his parents on the other side of his seat.

"I just want to thank you so much for inviting us, Ananada and Sheryl," Mary smiles as she looks around the table. "It is so nice to know we all are still family after all of these years. It is beautiful. Our babies have grown up together. Look at 'em." All of the adults turn to take a look at the teens. Javon and Don genuinely smile while Derek has a blank expression and Cynthia displays an artificial grin. Dalvin and Tasha fail to fake it as they turn to one another and exchange knowing glances. "It's beautiful."

Reverend Don nods. "It is. It really is. Tasha, I don't know if you know this but, Don and Javon met in grade school. Javon was one of Don's first friends when we moved her from Virginia and Cynthia and Dalvin? They been two peas in a pod since grade school too."

Tasha politely smiles, "What about Derek?"

"Well, uh..." Reverend Don lets out a soft chuckle, almost as if he is buying time. Derek's energy is not effected, regardless of how left out he is feeling. He is used to the thoughts and emotions he is currently experiencing. Tasha glances at Derek, turning her attention back to the Reverend. "Derek's... He— Well, y'know. Derek's a floater. Sometimes he'd hang with Cynthia and Dalvin but, he usually was with the big boys. He always wanted to be like that darn Javon and sometimes even Don, y'know."