Keep It Movin' Read Online Free PDF

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    â€œThis is my grandmother, but everyone calls her Mama. And this is Jeremy,” I say, introducing them. Mama eyes Jeremy carefully, taking in the structure of his face and then some.
    â€œIt’s nice to finally meet you. Jayd speaks very highly of you.” Jeremy reaches his hand out and Mama returns his firm handshake.
    â€œI can say the same thing about you, Jeremy. What’s your family doing for Christmas?”
    â€œOh, we’re having a huge brunch in the morning; our traditional thing. Then we’ll have our evening free to chill with friends and extended family,” Jeremy says, looking back at me. I’m not sure which category he thinks I’m in, but I’m staying on the safe side with friendship.
    â€œWell, that sounds very nice. Are you hungry? We’re about to serve dinner in a few moments.” Mama looks back through the front door toward the kitchen, where Jay’s holding it down.
    â€œMy wife’s one of the best cooks around,” Daddy says, making even my uncles look up at him, surprised he’s giving Mama a compliment. But none of us says a word, especially not in front of company. The holidays usually bring out the best in my grandparents and I’m glad for it. If Jeremy came by any other day he’d get the real deal.
    â€œAs Jayd has mentioned a couple of hundred times. I can’t wait,” Jeremy says, making both Mama and me blush.
    â€œOkay, and until then, Junior, get up and let the boy get a hand in,” Daddy says. My uncle Junior looks at Daddy and then at Jeremy hard before giving up his place at the table. Bryan looks up from his hand at me before dropping his eyes back down and shaking his head disapprovingly. I know I’m going to get a mouthful about this later, hopefully before he tells Rah. All I need is Bryan running his mouth to Rah before I get a chance to tell him. My Christmas will not be very merry if that happens.
    â€œCome on, Jayd. Let’s help your cousin finish up in the kitchen,” Mama says, pulling me back inside. “Dinner will be served in ten minutes.”
    â€œSo, what do you think?” I ask when we’re safely out of earshot.
    â€œI think you’d better be careful.” I shoot Mama a look that makes her eyes soften. I know what she went through as a little girl, but this is different. Rah isn’t nearly as crazy as my great-grandfather was.
    â€œ Don’t be so sure ,” my mom adds. “ You never know how crazy a man can be until he thinks he’s losing you .”
    â€œListen to your mother, Jayd. We’ve all been down this road before and we’re just trying to spare you some pain if we can.” Mama looks across the kitchen and out the front door, with Jay’s nosy eyes following hers. He rises from his seat at the kitchen table and looks over Mama’s shoulder.
    â€œWho’s the white boy playing spades?” Jay asks. After placing the rest of the peeled and chopped potatoes in the large pot of boiling water on the stove, he dries his hands on a kitchen towel. I guess Mama had a craving for more mashed potatoes because there’s already enough potato salad here to feed an army.
    â€œThat’s Jeremy,” I say, walking over to the sink and washing my hands. The rolls need to be buttered and it’ll be the perfect distraction from everyone’s opinion about Jeremy. We’re not together anymore, but even our friendship is causing tongues to wag.
    â€œAnd that’s Rah,” Jay says, practically running out the front door. He loves drama way too much for me. I look at Mama’s shimmering emerald eyes as she stirs the steamy pot on the stove, shaking her head from side to side.
    â€œIt’s already begun,” Mama says. I don’t know if she’s talking to me or some unknown presence in the room, but her tone is frightening.
    â€œMama, I know Maman and I are dressed alike, but it’s not