"Dirty Sheets and Jealousy"

Seth and Jack are cleaning up after dinner. While this involves little more than stuffing plastic plates and utensils into the trash, both are nauseatingly eager to help. It is obvious that they are trying to impress Meeka. All that’s missing is a sign: WILL CLEAN FOR A DATE.



Mom and Mr. McGee are downstairs doing laundry. The fact that he sees my mother’s bras and underpants ties for Creepily Uncomfortable with the awareness that he sees mine as well. Laundry sharing is just another level of intimacy for my heart to digest.


“She’s not home,” Meeka says with her eyes fixed on our vinyl floor.


“I can give you a ride,” Seth shrugs, like it is no big deal, like his pulse isn’t racing.


“Oh, thanks, but I’m going to try mother on her mobile.” She smiles and I am thinking there is a frown just below its perfect symmetry.


“Mother, hello…yes, I am…” Meeka turns her back to us so that we cannot see if the smile is still there. “Yes, I did…salad,” she whispers. “No, I didn’t have anything else. Mother, I need you to pick me up now…but I thought you already…alright.” When she turns to face us there is that perfect smile, brighter than ever. It is a black hole of a smile. I do not trust it. It is too similar to my mother’s.


“Your mom has one of those portable phones? Like the ones you carry around in your car and all over town?” If Seth was attracted to Meeka before, he’s ready to walk down the aisle with her now.


“Yeah,” she shrugs and starts to dial another number.


“Who are you calling now?” Jack asks.


“My parents’ driver—my mom has a thing she needs to do.” She is focusing on the numbers with an intensity that looks forced.


“Listen, I told you, I’ll take you home. I’ve got my own car.” Seth nods his head slowly. He is waiting for Meeka to gush with pleasure at her great fortune—pathetic!


“Are you sure?”


“Just let me run home and get my keys.”


“Thanks,” she says, but Seth is already bounding down our worn steps, eager to leave before she can change her mind.


I try to imagine what it’s like to have a boy jump through hoops for me. I watch Meeka sigh, not even bothering to look in the direction of her eager suitor. The gap in our experience with boys’ attentions is nothing short of wide. I think of Anthony’s eyes on mine today until my jealousy subsides.