I know it sounds crazy, but I had never been “called to dinner” before. Sure, once in a while Mom or Dad had told me if I wanted something to eat to grab it. But I was lucky when there was something to grab besides cold pizza or cereal.
Telling me to wash up and join Miss Dixie for dinner was like telling me to tie my shoes for the first time. I awkwardly found the bathroom next door and washed my hands. Twice, just in case. Then I headed down the stairs. I didn’t hear Miss Miller’s voice anymore, but I wasn’t sure she was gone. I slowly looked around the corner. I walked through a large living room with a couple of couches and a big TV. The living room carpet on the floor ended. The beginning of wood floors was the only way you knew you were in the kitchen. There was no wall between them.
The large kitchen had a long table set for six. One end of the table was shoved up against the wall, giving Miss Dixie more room to move between the fridge and the sink. I walked up close to the fridge and was shocked at its size. I thought I heard something and quickly looked behind me. But it was nothing.
“Don’t worry. She’s gone.” Miss Dixie smiled at me. She was near the sink. “I sent Miss Miller home as soon as I could.” She handed me a bowl of mashed potatoes. “Please set this on the table.” I held the warm bowl for a minute and then looked at her awkwardly. “Go on. Put it down anywhere.” She turned back to the oven and pulled out some baked chicken.
My stomach growled. It hurt so bad. I couldn’t help but feel some excitement about sitting at this table. Even if I didn’t know who would be sitting with me. I carefully placed the potatoes near the middle, next to some warm rolls.
“Dinner!” Miss Dixie’s voice yelled so loud that I jumped. She giggled and said, “Sorry, next time I’ll warn you that I’m calling everyone.”
Soon I heard footsteps crashing down the stairs. A small Hispanic boy came charging in the kitchen and headed straight for the chair nearest to me. He looked about eight. He stopped for one second and looked at me. He frowned a little and then smiled. “You must be new.”
“You think?” I said.
“Whatever,” the boy said. He didn’t care if I was rude or not. He looked at the food and yelled as loud as he could. “She said dinner!”
“Now, Rico! No need for both of us to scream. They’re probably washing their hands.” She smiled at him. “Did you?”
Rico sighed and ran to the kitchen sink. He washed for a second before running back to his seat. As I was watching this, I felt a small hand touch mine. I jerked my hand away and looked down to find a small, blond girl looking up at me. Her hair was held back in a pony tail by a huge red bow. “Hi, I’m Mae. I’m four. Will you sit next to me?” She reached for my hand again. I didn’t know what to do, so I let her hold it. But I didn’t really hold her hand. My hand was as stiff as a board. She didn’t seem to care. Mae pulled me to the seat across from Rico and next to her. The living room was behind us.
I looked at Miss Dixie who nodded. “That’ll be a fine seat for you TJ.”
“Oh, what a funny name.” Mae let go of my hand and giggled. “TJ, TJ, TJ,” she repeated.
“Shut up!” I said to the little girl. Her smile turned upside down. Big tears started to fall down her chubby cheek. I stared. I wasn’t sure why she was crying.
“We don’t say shut up to each other TJ,” Miss Dixie said. But she was just stating a fact. She walked over to Mae and patted her once on the head. “Mae, you can pull your smile back up. TJ is new and doesn’t know how it works here.”
Mae’s frown disappeared as fast as it came. She looked at me and smiled. “Okay. I forgive you TJ.”
I could feel a heat rise in me. What kind of place was this? I hadn’t done anything wrong, and they were already making me look like I was stupid. I felt myself wanting to take off. But just then Miss Dixie put the baked chicken down in front of me. Leaving could wait until later.
As I stared at the chicken, I felt myself reach for a piece. “Got to wait till we’re all seated,” Mae told me. I put down my hand and stared at the blond brat next to me.
Just then a tall, thin black kid walked in. He had glasses on and his hair was cut short. He sat down between Rico and the wall. He briefly looked at me and nodded. I nodded back.
“That’s Prince,” Mae whispered. “He don’t talk much.”
I looked at Prince who didn’t seem to care he was just being talked about.
“Hi again. I’m Annabelle.” The redhead plopped down next to me. “I see you are sitting on the girls’ side.”
Mae and Rico laughed. Prince didn’t care.
“Miss Dixie put me here.” I felt my face get hot again. Now I’m a girl?
“Chill!” The girl gently touched my arm. “I’m just teasing.”
“I’m hungry!” Rico protested.
“Okay, everyone hold hands.” Miss Dixie smiled as she sat at the end of the table. I looked around the table and saw everyone willingly reach out for each other. Even Prince.
I felt Mae’s hand again, and I looked awkwardly at Annabelle. She smiled and whispered, “Don’t worry, I washed.” She held out her hand. I watched my dark hand being gently folded into her soft white hand.
I watched Miss Dixie close her eyes and say, “God bless the food. Amen!” As soon as she opened her eyes the new strange group of people ate. And I ate.