Page 84 of Love in the Lab
At Molly’s insistence, we do a video call. Tamara picks up and smiles. “Hi! Jonny, I’m so glad you called because if I have to devil another egg, I will go insane. Hey, Molly!”
Molly waves as I clear my throat. “Tams, are you with Dad?”
“Yeah, I’m at his house. Why?” She leans her face closer to the screen. “Where are you guys?”
“With Molly’s family in Texas. Can you go get Dad? I want to talk to both of you.”
Tamara’s image on the screen bounces as she walks through the house to find Dad. When she does, his face appears on screen alongside hers, then the image flips to landscape view and Sharon is there, too.
I open my mouth to go full bratty kid and insist on talking to my dad and sister alone. As if she’s reading my mind—or maybe has just gotten good at reading my expressions and energy—Molly puts her hand on my knee and squeezes. With just that one touch, she communicates support, love, and acceptance, making me rethink my reaction. At least 30 percent of it mightalso be that I’m hesitant to be at my worst in front of my new wife. Maybe save that for when we’ve been married for at least a week.
I take a breath and turn on my smile. “Thanks, Tams. Hi Dad, Sharon.” I try to keep my expression as neutral as possible. “This is Molly. Molly, this is my dad, Pete, and his fiancée, Sharon.”
Okay, that was good. I’m proud of myself so far. I can tell Tamara approves, too, because she nods at me through the screen. I can be an adult about this—a mature, married adult.
My dad grins, waving a hand clumsily at Molly. “It’s good to meet you, Molly, after everything I’ve heard about you.” Mostly from Tamara, I’m sure.
“Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Stanch,” Molly says, clutching my arm a little tighter. “And you, too,” she adds, looking at Sharon.
“Please, call us Pete and Sharon,” Sharon says with her pinched smile.
I clear my throat. “So, anyway, Molly and I wanted to tell you that … we eloped last week. We’re married.”
“I knew it!” Tamara shouts.
She must drop the phone because our view shifts to flashing colors and then black, as if the phone is face down on the floor. It means I can’t see how my dad reacts. Or Sharon. Although I’d like to see them try to disapprove of my marriage while still trying to get me on board for theirs.
I realize I’m holding my breath waiting to see what my dad will say. Finally, Tamara retrieves the phone and holds it back up. My family comes back into view.
My Dad is smiling. “Congratulations to the both of you.” Sharon nods her agreement next to him.
“Thank you. Wait, Tamara, what do you mean you knew it?” I narrow my eyes at my sister.
“Please. You’ve been obsessed since, I don’t know, at least September. You told me you were going to Vegas for aconference,” she makes air quotes with her fingers here, “and I figured you’d come back married.”
I can feel Molly’s body shaking next to mine. I glance at her to find her almost doubled over with laughter.
I turn my attention back to the phone screen so I can fact check my sister’s little speech. “First of all, wewereat a conference, presenting very important research because we are very important scientists—”
“Aw. Of course you are, sweetie. Now, I believe Molly is a very important scientist. She just has that, like, glow of intelligence around her. But you, Jonny?” Her eyebrows are raised, the slight furrow communicating her incredulity. Her mouth is a thin line quirked to one side, showing a hint of amusement. “Don’t forget I know all about how you cheated in order to beat me in Scrabble growing up.”
“That wasonetime!” I sputter. “Are you serious right now?”
Molly pats my knee. “Of course she’s not serious,Jonny.” She winks. “She’s just doing her big sisterly duty and giving you a hard time.”
“See, Molly gets it. Told you she was smart.” Tamara smirks at me through the phone.
I risk a glance at my dad. He’s chuckling, his eyes soft and bright. “In all seriousness,” he cuts in, leaning into the phone camera so his forehead takes up half the screen, “We are so incredibly proud of both of you. Molly, we’re so happy to have you join our family. I want to meet you, in person, soon.”
“Maybe for Christmas?” Sharon asks hopefully.
I pretend I don’t hear her. “Thanks all. Molly’s dad is calling us inside now, so we have to go. Love you all! Bye!” I press the button to end the call and stare at the blank screen.
When I finally look up, Molly’s watching me, a thoughtful expression on her face.
“What?” I ask.
She reaches up her hand and smooths my hair, moving a curl off my forehead. “Your smile,” she finally says, “it’s the same as your dad’s.”
