I straightened my dress, forced a welcoming smile onto my face, and nodded.
Bradley opened the door.
Kira stood there smiling brightly.
Beside her was Marcus.
Behind him stood his parents.
My smile disappeared.
Marcus and his family were Black.
For several seconds, I simply stared.
It wasn’t what I had imagined.
Beside me, Bradley’s expression became stiff.
“Mom?”
Kira’s voice snapped me out of my shock.
“Are you going to let everyone come inside?”
“Yes. Of course.”
I stepped aside quickly.
“Come in.”
We led everyone toward the dining room, but my hands had begun trembling.
My thoughts were moving too fast.
I needed to speak to Kira privately.
“I forgot a few things in the kitchen,” I said. “Kira, help me for a second.”
Then I looked at Bradley.
“You too.”
The moment the kitchen door closed behind us, I turned toward my daughter.
“Was there something you forgot to mention?”
