Chapter 17I squealed. A very un-boy-like squeal. There I was, dressed in sparkles, in lipstick—or not, if it had worn off—so I wasn’t exactly a manly man, the kind that doesn’t squeal. Slot machines were whirring, ringing, and popping. I doubt anybody but me noticed.
So much for doubt. “Happy, kid?” Will noticed.
I hugged Will. “You kiddin’? This is lit, Will.”
An usher took us to seats at a table right down front. To our right was this gorgeous Black woman all in glittery blue, a burly older tuxedoed Black man, and a tiny Black woman with a smile as shiny as her red and purple dress. A tall white man with wavy brownish hair matching his brown tuxedo joined them. I thought I was happy, but their smiles screamed We’re the happiest creatures on the planet. I wish they’d been around during
