Inferno - Chelle Bliss by Chelle Bliss

Opal’s eyebrows rise. “Really?”

I put my hand on Opal’s lower back, guiding her through the maze of vehicles. “Yeah. Thank God Bear isn’t a picky eater because the man would wither away to nothing.”

Opal laughs as she walks, not pulling away from my touch. “Are you a good cook?”

“I cook a mean ramen.”

“What else, or is that the extent of your culinary skills?”

“No. I can cook more, but it’s just me and I’m too lazy to spend hours preparing food for only myself. How about you?”

“What I make is edible, but it’s not like your grandma’s food.”

“No one’s is like hers.” I open the front door, and we’re instantly met by loud voices.

“Are they fighting?” she asks, staring into the house like someone’s going to jump out from behind a piece of furniture and attack her.

“They’re only talking, which, more often than not, sounds like shouting. But I can promise, it’s civil. I swear they’re all going deaf, and every year it gets louder and louder.”

Opal takes a step inside, and I follow her, my hand never leaving her back.

“We’re here,” I say to no one.

“They can’t possibly hear you,” Opal tells me.

But suddenly, Fran appears and is heading right toward us. “Finally,” she says, holding out her arms to Opal. “Gimme a hug.”

Opal doesn’t immediately open her arms. She looks almost overwhelmed by the warmth of Fran, and if I’m honest, I’m a little shocked myself.

Fran has always been kind, but there’s a whole lot of saltiness to her too. But not when it comes to Opal. Fran’s embraced her, wanting her to be part of her family, or our family in general. Maybe it’s the Chicago connection that’s pulled Fran in, but whatever it is, I don’t question it.

“Are you okay?” Fran asks Opal as she wraps her arms around her, holding her as if they’ve known each other their entire lives.

“I am now,” Opal says, melting into Fran’s arms.

Fran peers up at me with the warmest smile as she keeps hugging Opal. “Everyone’s excited to meet you.”

Opal pulls away slightly, gazing at Fran. “I hope I don’t disappoint them.”

Fran takes a step back, finally separating from my girl. “Baby, you could never disappoint us. This is a no-judgment zone. This is a house and family built on love and acceptance. Remember that as you walk around today and meet everyone.”

“This is really overwhelming.”

“Just wave and smile, then you can go out back and hang out with the kids. You don’t even need to say anything if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, okay,” Opal says, looking a little more relaxed.

“Let Stone do all the talking. He’s always got a lot to say.”

“Auntie.” I shake my head. “I’m not that talkative.”

“No. No, you aren’t, but you could be when you need to rescue your girl.”

I place my hand back at the small of her back, wanting nothing more than to touch her. “I’ll take care of her.”

Fran waves us in. “Come on. Let’s meet everyone.”

Opal peers over her shoulder at me with a slightly terrified smile. “Don’t leave me,” she pleads.

“I’d never. You’re stuck with me.”

I fully expect the entire family to come stalking toward us to get a good look at Opal. I’m sure they’re intrigued by her since I’ve never brought anyone to Sunday dinner with me. But to my surprise, when we step into the back of the house, they all remain seated.

The older people are all inside, lounging between the kitchen and the living room.

“She’s here,” Fran announces, waving her hand in Opal’s direction.

There’s a deafening silence.

Opal waves, jostling her weight back and forth from one foot to the other. “Hi,” Opal says.

Fran slides her hand around Opal’s arm, linking herself to her. “You met Bear.”

Bear nods, giving Opal the biggest smile. “Good to see you again.”

“And Maria.”

“Hi,” Opal says softly, giving my grams a giant and genuine smile.

“I hope you’re hungry, sweetheart. Make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Maria.”

“These are Stone’s parents, Mia and Mike.”

My mom and dad get up, and I brace myself for whatever nonsense is about to come.

Opal’s eyes lock on my dad as her neck cranes back to look up at his face. “Sweet Jesus,” Opal mutters. “You’re a…” She snaps her mouth shut. “Shit, did I say that out loud?”

My dad laughs, looking like a giant in front of Opal. “I get that a lot.”

Ma smacks my dad with the back of her hand square in the middle of his chest. “No, he doesn’t. Hi, Opal. I’m Mia. It’s so nice to finally meet you. My son has told me a lot about you.”

Opal peers back at me. “You talk about me?”

My face heats and I want to pull my mom to the side and tell her not to embarrass me, but I know there’s no use. It wouldn’t be a day if they didn’t do their best to shower me with their love and act a fool. “A little,” I admit, which is a lie because I’ve talked more about her to my parents than I have about anyone else in the world.