I sit in Cal’s car tapping my nails on the pot of the plant I bought across the street. Cal insisted we don’t need to bring any food and that his family is really particular about alcohol, but I couldn’t show up with just myself no matter how many times Cal rolled his eyes. My mother would probably drop over dead if she thought I was going to someone’s house empty-handed.

”Are you sure your uncle likes succulents?” I look at Cal hopefully ...