I really wished I could conjure an invisibility cloak and disappear. Reneè knew better than to invite me when our family was involved. For the third time that night, I grimaced. My aunt, Reneè, pulled upward on the edges of her mouth, urging me to do the same. I only rolled my eyes playfully and offered a quarter of a smirk. I had been summoned to this wake, an attempt at a family dinner. Reneè had “exciting” news that had to be shared with everyone present. I thought this news could’ve very easily been an email, but I loved my aunt. So, I showed up, barely.
My brother, Luke, sat on the other end of the couch. After Luke married Maddie, we hadn’t spoken in over three years. Maddie always met foes or subordinates, never friends. She definitely wasn’t afraid to tell people that. I couldn’t stand to be around such negativity all the time. It was clear my brother couldn’t either, but he’d never confess his unhappiness. Luke sighed while Maddie badmouthed Reneè’s décor.
“I could send you my interior decorator’s number. It’s so… quaint in here,” Maddie spouted off. I again rolled my eyes.
Across the room, my mother and father, Tricia and Reggie, sat huddled together, deep in a conversation clearly not meant for this setting. I could only imagine the latest transgression he was speaking of. My parents had a tainted history, and I just hoped they wouldn’t ruin Reneè’s news.
“T, it’s just not right,” Reggie whisper-shouted.
“Alrighty, dear sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew,” Reneé interrupted.
Maddie combed through a pillow’s fluffy fringe. Her face was akin to smelling a locker room after a hot yoga class. It was clear she didn’t like being left out.
“The table is set. Let’s all find our way to the dining room.” Reneé turned and practically floated into the dining room. I begrudgingly rose along with the rest of my family. Prayerfully, dinner would be light and thus brief.
I strolled behind Maddie, hoping she wouldn’t talk to me. I was saved as the dining room came into view. Reneé’s style was homey with hints of whimsy. My grandmother’s weathered oak dining table sat in the middle of the room, laden with food born from my grandmother’s recipes. My grandmother’s essence was surrounded by modern glass sculptures that Reneé created during some of her darkest times. From her pain, she got paid.
The plush golden wingback chairs created an ambient atmosphere that tied into the cozy vibe of the space. A Peep-yellow accent wall offered a cheerful backdrop to this awkward and doomed dinner. Everyone took their seats. I sat on the left side of the table along with Luke and Maddie; Luke knew to be the buffer between us. My mother and father sat on the right side. Reneè would serve as the referee tonight, like always, at the head of the table.
“I’ve called everyone here tonight to discuss my estate,” Reneè started, as she began to load her plate up with salad.
My brow kicked up. Why would we need to discuss her estate? I mean, yes, everyone should have final wishes laid out during their adult years. However, Reneè had this all planned from the moment her career took off.
“Is something amiss with the funds?” Tricia piped up. Clearly, she and Reggie were only here for a payday, per usual. “We could help you resolve the matter.”
“No need. Charles has taken care of everything. No, the real problem is that I’m dying,” Reneè stated, as if simply stating the sky is blue. My jaw dropped while my eyes filled with tears. “Tashi, darling, could you please pass the peas? I’m very excited to try the new touch I added.” Reneè continued to shuffle her salad around in her bright and acidic vinaigrette.
“But… how, Aunt Reneè?! You’re barely forty, you’re vegetarian, you rock climb for sport. How…?” Luke asked, passing the peas for me. I was too stunned to even pass myself the wine bottle at this point….
Somehow Reneè had maneuvered the roasted chicken within reaching distance for carving for the rest of us. “Minor details, sugar. I called y’all here because I’m doing my will reading early. Right here. Tonight.”
I had never met a calmer dying person. But calm seemed to be her forte. From the stories I’d heard, my mother wouldn’t be a functioning adult without Reneè. She unfortunately still married my father; Reneè couldn’t stop that epic love story.
I finally broke my brief vow of silence. “Then, what are the major details, Reneè?”
Nobody had moved to put any food on their plates. Everyone held a melancholic visage, except for Maddie and my mother. Maddie looked downright bored, and my mother dropped her head down to attempt to hide her glee. I soured even more just watching her.
“Well, that’s just it. It’s more so a detail, and it’s really only for you, Tashi. I called everyone else over to be taste testers for these peas. Y’all eat up!”
I laughed then, releasing a smidgeon of the grief and heaviness I felt. Reneè could’ve been a comedian in another life. Munching assiduously from the food on her plate, she continued, “Tashi, I had Charles sign away everything to you immediately. You are also to plan my celebration of life ceremony. Do make sure I look magnificent. The entire art world will be watching, in person or via livestream. Technology, amiright?”
I slowly unthawed while I reached for the wine bottle. Not tipsy enough for this conversation. A heat began to wash over me, oppressing as a Mississippi summer day. The table erupted with an angry and roaring cacophony of voices. I’m sure they had the same questions I did. But I could only bring myself to think of one in particular: How am I going to keep this out of my upcoming prenup meeting with the man I barely know and his lawyer?
Luci Strong is a budding writer, hailing from Mississippi. Her Southern experiences and upbringing shape her writing. She loves to read romances, thrillers, and fantasy novels. When she is not reading, writing, or working in healthcare, she enjoys baking, hanging out with family and friends, and binging various TV shows (current binge: Real Housewives of Atlanta).
Featured image by Nadia Valco on Unsplash.
