Page 18 of Evading Exodus
“Good, right?” Jake asked, coming up behind us, his own glass nearly empty.
“Very,” I replied, then took a larger sip, rolling the flavor across my tongue before swallowing. I nudged Ace. “You know you’re spoiling me, Ace?”
He looked shocked. “How so?”
“You only let me drink the good stuff.”
Jack scoffed. “That’s what you get for dating the official taste tester of our brewer’s guild.”
“Brewer’s guild?” I turned to Ace who sported a wry grin.
“Um, well…”
“Another of those ‘ask me later’ questions?”
“Yeah. It’s all connected. It’s easier if I show you, but the simplest explanation is that Jack, me, Jake, and Finn all do medieval reenactments.”
“Ren faires?” I asked, surprised. The ‘Your Excellency’ comment made a lot more sense now.
“Sort of, but not open to the public unless we’re specifically running a demo. Interested?”
“Well, I have enjoyed attending King Richard’s Faire in the past, and I once went to the New York one, but I never really thought about being on the other side of things.”
“Our group is really laid back. I’d love for you to come to a meeting if you’re interested.”
“Okay. You know me, I’ll try anything once.”
Ace snorted, probably remembering my dislike for every IPA he’d made me try. He’d kept saying “try it, try it,” and each time, I nearly spit it out on him.
“Boys,” Poppa Lark called over. “Finish up, I’d like to start in about fifteen minutes.”
We raised our glasses in acknowledgement and finished what we had left of our drinks and appetizers. Terry had joined us, slipping an arm around Jake’s waist. I noted that he had no glass in his hands.
“Did you try Jack’s mead?” I asked him.
He grimaced. “Yes, I always try it, and it’s always too sweet for me.”
The light in the room began dimming as Momma Lark closed the blinds. She beckoned us to join her around the table and the three sets of unlit candles standing at attention.
Ace maneuvered me in front of him and, with a hand on my hip, pressed close behind. Poppa Lark stood opposite his wife, theHaggadahservice booklet in his hand, as he began speaking.
“Each year on Thanksgiving and Passover, I like to take a few moments to offer my thanks and congratulations to my family and friends. To give honor to the new and wonderful events that have occurred between the holidays. So much delight has graced our family these past few months.” He spread his hands wide to encompass all of us. Looking around the room, he beamed and started with Finn and Josey.
“Beautiful Bonnie—almost born on Thanksgiving. You gave us all a truly joyous December holiday season.
“David,” Poppa Lark continued, turning to Jake’s dad. “Congratulations on finally filing for retirement. You’ve earned it, old man.”
“Aaron, if I’m old, then you’re ancient,” David quipped back, our snickers following.
Ace whispered in my ear, “It’s a running joke between them. Their birthday is actually on the same day, but my dad is, like, twelve hours older. It’s one of the reasons they became best friends.”
“Yes, I’m so old that when I go to a museum the guards keep trying to put me back in the display.” Groans erupted around the table.
“Dad, that was the worst,” Jack said.
“I’ve got more…”
A chorus of “no” arose.
