Page 66 of My Life with the Walter Boys
I sat down next to Nathan as Katherine brought a huge plate of bacon to the table. “Is that Haley?” I whispered in his ear, looking over at the girl who had black hair and big, round eyes.
“Yeah, Will’s fiancée. They go to school together.”
“That’s what I thought,” I said. Since moving in with the Walters, I had heard lots of talk about the upcoming wedding.
Once everyone was stuffed to the brim with Katherine’s wonderful cooking, the boys started unwrapping their gifts. Cole went first, and when he got to Nathan’s and my present, he looked up in amazement.
“You got this for me?” he asked Nathan in shock. “I’ve been wanting it for ages.”
“Jackie and I got it,” Nathan said, correcting Cole. “You’re welcome.”
Hearing my name, Cole hesitated, but then he nodded his head at me. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” I said.
Then it was Danny’s turn. He unwrapped all the boxes, which turned out to be mostly clothes, except for the homemade coupon for one free wet willy, courtesy of Jack and Jordan.
“What’s a wet willy?” I asked as most of the guys laughed at the joke I’d clearly missed.
Jack’s lips curled up into an evil smile. “Let me show you.” He stuck his finger in his mouth and then, as quick as lightning, stuck it in my ear.
“Oh God, gross!” I complained, shoving Jack away from me.
All the guys laughed as Katherine scolded her son and I tried to get Jack’s spit out of my abused ear.
“Wet willy,” Isaac said, grinning at me. “A prank where a finger moistened with spit is inserted into an unsuspecting victim’s ear, accompanied by a twist.”
“That’s disgusting,” I said. Then I handed over Danny’s gift, still cringing. “I promise that I didn’t get you something as awful as that.”
“Jackie, you didn’t need to get me anything,” he said, but he took the folded piece of paper anyway. He opened it, and I kept my mouth shut as his eyes slid over the words.
“Are you serious?” Danny asked when he finally looked up at me.
I nodded. “Totally.”
“Wow,” Danny said, shaking his head in amazement. “Thank you so much, Jackie.”
“What is it?” Cole demanded and pulled the sheet of paper out of Danny’s hand. When he read it, his mouth dropped open. “Whoa.”
“Let’s see,” Isaac said, grabbing it away from Cole. Then, “A plane ticket?” he asked, looking up at me.
“Well, not exactly. It’s a voucher for a plane ticket. Danny said he likes the city, and he’s never been to New York, so I figured he could come with me when I go home for a visit this summer. You know, maybe go to a few Broadway shows.”
Katherine gasped in surprise. “Jackie, honey,” she said, clucking her tongue, “that’s too much money to spend on a birthday present.”
“Mom,” Danny said, giving her a look.
“Really, it’s not a problem,” I told her.
“Are you sure?” she asked, but she knew that the money wasn’t an issue.
I nodded my head and noticed that everyone was staring at me. “What?” I asked.
“My birthday’s tomorrow,” Isaac responded.
“Liar,” Jack accused, crossing his arms.
Isaac elbowed his cousin but grinned. “I never lie, and you best get me something good. No slimy spit finger in my ear, okay?”
