Page 23 of Tuesday

“I guess it is,” Moss answers, nodding gravely but staying exactly where he stands, hands in pockets.

Pasty waves his arms wildly in the direction of the women, who have gone back to eating their muffins, babies on their laps. Judge has joined them, chewing on what looks to be a blueberry muffin. He keeps glancing at the little diner-owner lady, but she’s doing a fucking stellar job at ignoring him.

“So? Aren’t you going to do anything?”

“You know what? I don’t think I will. Let this be a lesson to you, don’t diss anyone’s mother ever again. Especially mine,” Moss’s voice drops to a fucking scary tone at the end there and Pasty must get the picture because he lets out an indignant huff before tucking tail and leaving the diner to the cheers of the old women and teenage girls that are in their booths.

“Well, now that’s sorted. Wanna muffin?”

Chapter 8

Chewy

Rhodie has me gently by the elbow as he leads me into the clubhouse with Laney on his hip. I’m sure he’s worried I’m going to start some shit. Not that it was me that kicked things off at the diner. That was actually Vi and Blanche. I’m not too sure if I should feel irritated that he thinks I’m a troublemaker, or proud.

“What the fuck?” Rhodie comes to a complete stop, breaking my stride.

There, in the middle of the common room is Pops, and I think he’s flexing. How the hell did he get here so fast when he was with us at the diner?

“What the hell are they doing?” Rhodie says out loud, to anyone who might answer.

“I can’t be too sure, I’ve only been here for like 10 minutes,” Switch booms, “but I think it’s some type of flexing competition?”

“Is that all you got old man?” Pops taunts Mad Dog, who scowls and then doubles down.

I snuggle tighter into Rhodie, jiggling Laney’s fat little foot. I’ve never seen such chubby toes, so I’m not sure if it’s normal or not. Although judging by her chubby legs and all over stubby body, I’m sure it’s fine. Turning back to the competition the old men have going, I watch as Pops pulls the Apollo pose, his left arm and hand flexing into a claw like hold, while his right is held out in front, like the statue of Apollo in classical art. Mad Dog pulls his own version, and I am impressed. Laney is too as she raises her arms and yells “Doggy” at the top of her lungs.

“Shit, Pops ain’t gonna like that,” Rhodie chuckles, and he’s right.

“That’s it! I’m pulling out the big guns!” Pops growls.

He hoists his chinos higher, the middle seam now cutting between the globes of his glutes. He bends a little forward, hands on his waistline before he flexes, his trousers almost devoured by his muscular buttocks.

“My eyes!” Switch yells as Fox and Nitro start taking bets from the brothers and Ol Ladies over who will be the winner.

Mad Dog’s eyes narrow and he gets set to mimic Pops when Marx comes stomping down the hall. “What the fuck is going on in here?” He takes one look at Pops derriere on display and his face morphs from confusion to disgust. I know those looks.

“Sidney! Stop showing off what belongs to me!” Mama Debs says, bustling in and hiding Pops’ ass with her tea towel.

“Thank you Mama Debs,” Marx says with a nod. “Can you two please just agree to both be the best grandpa in the world?”

“No!” Pops yells. “No way! We’re tied, I just need one more win!”

“What do you mean you’re tied?” I ask. He’s been with me most of the afternoon.

“This morning Sid challenged me to a game of darts. Then foosball.” Mad Dog says.

“They had a Lego-off as well, both built houses and I judged,” Rider adds.

“I judged the coloring competition,” Dex says, his hand raised.

Mad Dog and Pops both nod. “We’re tied. And I’m sure I would have won the flex off if you lot hadn’t interrupted,” Pops grumbles.

“I know a way you can break your tie,” Vi says, from her position leaning against Jules, Juno on her hip.

“What you got?” Mad Dog raises a chin in her direction.

“Well, my sister Jazz, you know she’s an art teacher right? Well, she’s been taking her kids out to draw in interesting places around town. They went to the park to draw trees, the diner to draw patrons, why don’t they come here and draw you too?” Vi offers.

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