Page 52 of Townshipped
“I’m sorry, but I fail to see how knowing my own language is a downfall.”
“When the other people speaking your language don’t know what you’re saying, it’s a bit daunting. Especially because the whole point of language is to communicate.”
“Daunting! I’m rubbing off on you.”
“Heaven forbid. Quick! Someone get me a tabloid before I become a brainiac!”
I’m giggling despite myself.
Lexi gestures into the room. “Let’s not all just hover at the front door. We’ve got pizza coming and we made this mocktail Shannon found online that’s supposed to be really delish. Grab a spot on the couch and make yourself comfortable.
“I can’t stay long,” Lexi adds. “My mom’s got Poppy for the evening, but if I even think about her too much, my milk comes in, and trust me, it’s not pretty.”
“That’s not what Trevor said,” Laura jokes with a waggle of her eyebrows.
“Oh my gosh!” Lexi laughs. “Men. I’m telling you.”
We all move to the couches, the dog following me and continuing to sniff my legs with great interest until Jayme gives him a firm command to go lie down in his bed. He snorts at her, and makes a nearly human mopey face, but he waddles over to the dog bed along the wall, spins in a lazy circle and plops down. He settles his pouty face on his front paws, looking at me longingly as he does.
“So,” Laura says looking at me, “how is it living with Aiden? He’s like a big brother to the four of us, and he’s officially Lexi’s brother-in-law. He tends to keep to himself except for his monthly bonfires spring through fall.”
“Monthly bonfires?”
“Yeah. He hosts the town out there. Mostly younger people come. It’s potluck style. We sing, ride on the tractor, hang out, matchmake, gossip …”
“You make us sound so backward, Laura,” Shannon complains.
“Hey, if the rubber boot fits.”
“We’re not backward,” Lexi says. “We’re a typical small town.”
“With an extra dose of crazy and nosy tossed in for good measure,” Laura adds.
“You love us,” Lexi says.
“I do,” Laura admits. “Anyway, back to Aiden …”
All four sets of eyes settle on me.
“He’s been great.”
I don’t know what else to say. My head’s swimming with thoughts of the toll Aiden’s extra burdens are taking on him. And all this talk of charity cases buzzes through my brain.
“The way he looks at you …” Lexi says with a dreamy tone to her voice.
“I saw it too,” Laura agrees.
“How does he look at me?” I can’t help but ask.
There’s a knock at the door and a male voice from out on the porch shouts, “Pizza’s here!”
Jayme hops up and grabs some cash off the side table by their front door. Groucho rouses himself and waddles over behind her. She pays the pizza delivery guy and brings the box and plates to the coffee table in the middle of the room. I didn’t bring money to contribute.
I hop up when Lexi moves toward the kitchen. “Let me get the drinks,” I tell her.
“Oh, you don’t have to. You’re the guest tonight.”
“And you’re a new mom. Put your feet up. Being a guest everywhere I go can get old after a while. I want to do something.”
