Page 17 of Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay
“We’re outside the house,” Julie offers.
“Out of the house?” Portia corrects to the masses, before she teeters back to a seated position.
I snort. “Now it just sounds like you are talking about rustic toilets.”
“Oh, here’s one. Excuse me. You there. Would you take the stand?”
Oh good gracious. She’s talking to Mike. I have to do something. “Portia, you’re drunk.”
“And I am the youngest drunk to make partner at my firm in this century.” Portia sways ever so slightly when she stands. “You, sir. You’re too good-looking to be a lawyer.”
Mike’s eyes narrow, but his lips are tilted into a good-natured smile. “Thank you?”
“State your name and occupation for the record.”
“Mike Benedick. I’m Adam’s Badpun cosplayer.”
“The strangely sexy clown?” She leans a little too far forward. “Bea said you weren’t here.”
“Bea was looking for me?”
“Portia, come on,” I say. “You’re making a fool of yourself.”
Portia holds up a hand, but her coordination is off, and she ends up hitting me in the face. “Is cosplay acting?”
Oh heaven help me. I laugh, hoping no one can hear the strain in my voice. “No, it’s all costume. No talent required. Now let the guy go get a taco.”
Mike looks at me like I’m a little troll who’s just crawled out of the pool. “Is that what you think?”
Portia puts a hand on her hip and stumbles backward just a little. “Who cares what Bea thinks? I’m asking you. Is cosplay acting?”
Mike’s face melts into the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen, and gosh, it’s like the sun rises. “It is when I do it.”
“Ha! An actor. I knew it.” Portia tries to compose her face, but the liquor is making the effort comically long. “And are you a nepo baby?”
“A what?” Mike asks.
“Did you come by your current employment because of nepotism, like our earnest, if admittedly less brilliant, little sister?”
“That’s enough,” I snap.
Julie is howling with laughter, which is enough to egg on Portia. “Our sister, who has convinced herself that she must atone for the crimes of her birthright by abstaining from all forms of human companionship.”
“When I said I work late, that is not what I meant.” I want to close my eyes and jump into the pool. “And what’s more, you’re leading the witness. So just please shut up, Portia.”
“Oh, you can’t be mad, Bea. We’re celebrating,” Portia whines.
“That’s right,” Julie chimes in. “Portia’s just made partner, I’m pregnant, and Pop-Pop and Eaton are going to open presents.”
“Oh my habeas corpus! You’re pregnant?” Portia says. And then she starts screaming.
Dad walks by. “There are my girls. So glad you are here, Portia. Julie, isn’t this amazing? I can’t imagine my birthday without Eaton by my side.”
“Oh, Daddy.” Julie gives him a hug.
“Bea.” Dad squeezes my shoulder. “Did we get those affidavits filed for the Bernwater case?”
“Um. I don’t know, Dad.”
