Further conversation was interrupted by the doorbell. Justin ran out to answer it and Dominique’s mother, Anita, her nephew, Michael, and her niece, Alexis, walked through the door.

“You look nice,” Anita said, after hugging her daughter. Unlike Dominique, Anita was of average height and on the slender side. The big-boned side of the family came from Dominique’s dad. “Big date tonight?”

“No.” Again, Dominique felt defensive. She knew she shouldn’t. It was a perfectly legitimate question to ask, considering how she was dressed. But she’d sworn Faith to secrecy and didn’t want to tell Anita about what Dominique knew would be a temporary dalliance. “I’m meeting friends for dinner.”

“You’re pretty dressed up,” Anita said, eyeing Dominique from head to toe. “Must be some kind of friends.”

“Where’s Faith?” Dominique asked, to change the subject, though she knew the answer.

“She’s at home, waiting for us. I told her I would pick up Justin since I was coming over here anyway.”

“She all right?”

Anita nodded, with a look that let Dominique know that they would talk later when little pictures with big ears weren’t around. “While I was at the doctor’s I let the kids play at the mall. Michael took very good care of his sister.”

Dominique looked at Michael. “Aw, isn’t that nice.”

Michael rolled his eyes, though one could tell he was proud of the compliment.

“How’s the acupuncture going?” Dominique had been surprised when Anita had told her about a doctor who’d been recommended to help with back pain she’d suffered since being broadsided a year ago. Since then she hadn’t worked, and was receiving disability.

“I can tell the difference, Dominique,” Anita said, a big smile on her face. “I thought that short of a miracle I’d have to either endure pain or take medication the rest of my life. But my dosages have been reduced by half and I’ve started walking for exercise again.”

“I’m so happy to hear that, Mama.” Dominique hugged her mother.

“Speaking of happy, you give anymore thought to what I told you last week?”

Instead of commenting, Dominique reached for her son and gave him a hug. “Be good, baby. Don’t give Mama or Auntie any trouble, no back talk and no fighting!” Michael and Justin loved each other like cousins but fought like brothers—mainly arguments, though Dominique had broken up a wrestling match or two. “Michael, Alexis, come hug Aunt Nikki.”

Ten minutes after her son and family left, the doorbell rang again. Dominique placed a hand against her stomach to still the flutters. In her profession, she was constantly seeing attractive men. Justin’s father was handsome. But her body had never reacted this way to anyone. Until now.