The Berry Family

Half a country away, Shanequa Berry attended to her own Thanksgiving. Wilbur cut the turkey, serving some out to Shalonda Lancaster, the Lancaster kids he'd fathered, and his first Berry son. The dinner was a melting pot -- half redneck, half Black, with everyone partaking equally in the feast.

Shanequa cast a jaundiced eye at the boy Shalonda had brought home. Weak, gangly. He reminded her of some other white boys she'd met, thinking of Douglas.

"Shalonda," she whispered urgently to her daughter. "This boy Peter ... seems sweet. But is he going to satisfy you?"

"Mom, chill," Shalonda said, rebuffing her mother. "I learned from the best." They both chuckled.