He nodded.
"Well. I was hoping we'd meet up with some of my buddies and all go to the Kit-Kat." he said.
"Oh. I don't believe I heard of that place." Mama said. "It's a restaurant that has a jazz band." he told her.
"Jazz? Well now. Ice will appreciate that. I'm sure. Her father and her are jazz-a-holics," Mama offered and laughed.
"Jazz-a-what?"
"Never mind. never mind. Well. I won't keep you then." she said. "Ice, you'll need my light coat." she told me. We had already decided I would. but Mama pretended it was a last-minute decision. "I'll just get it for you. Pardon me," she told Shawn.
"Yes. ma'am."
"Oh. I just love that polite talk, don't you. Ice?"
Shawn smiled and looked at me. Mama waited for me to say something and then sucked in her breath with disappointment and went for the coat.
"Your mother's real nice," Shawn said. I stood up.
"You know my sister?" he asked.
I shook my head and muttered. 'Not really."
He nodded. His struggle to find the right words, or any words, was clearly visible on his face, especially in his eyes. He didn't want to look at me unless he had something to say. He kept his gaze low, nodding slightly as if his head was on a spring.
"You're in the twelfth grade, a high-school senior?" he asked. I nodded.
"You look older," he said and then quickly added. 'not old, just older."
I stared at him, wondering how he could have ever thought I'd think he meant old.
"Here we are," Mama cried bringing me her coat. She held it out and Shawn practically lunged to take it from her and help me on with it. Mama stood by beaming her approval.
"Oh wait," she cried. 'Before you put that on her. I want a picture of you two."
I raised my eyes toward the ceiling.
"Fine with me." Shawn said. "Put me down for two copies. One goes right on my locker at the barracks."
Mama laughed and picked up her camera that she had placed on a table in the living room in anticipation.
"Just stand over there," she nodded a bit to our right. "Go on and put your arm around her. Shawn. She won't break," Mama advised.
I closed my eyes and bit down on my lower lip. His arm went over my shoulder and his big hand closed on my upper arm, pulling me closer to him.
"You can smile better than that. honey," Mama said. "Shawn here has a nice smile."
I forced my lips to turn and curl and she snapped the photo. "One more." she said. "Just in case."
When that was over. I stepped forward out of Shawn's embrace and reached again for Mama's coat. He hurried to help me on with it.
"Well, thank you. Mrs. Goodman," Shawn said. "I'll show her a good time."
"I'm sure you will. Shawn. Don't be too late now," Mama called as we headed for the door.
"No ma'am," Shawn replied, but what did that mean? What was too late? Daddy would have been more definite. I thought.
"Have a really good time. Ice. honey." Mama called before the door closed behind us.