Page 67 of The Leaves In Autumn
“Bali apparently agreed with you!”
Three…two…one. Dad starts singing “Bali Hai”, from the musical South Pacific. Now it’s a party.
Barbra and Layla wrap each other in a hug.
“I’ve missed you!” Layla says.
“That’s complete bullshit. She wasn’t missing any of you people. She had me.”
“Forget anything your husband says from now on. Listen only to me. Oh, I missed you too.”
“I’m so happy to see you! I want to hear it all. Pictures?”
“It was fantastic! Oh, Aurora, I’ve never seen water this color.”
“Did you go skinny dipping?”
Dad’s question makes Tyler laugh and morph into a royal with an Englishman’s accent. “Skinny dipping you say?”
“Did you eat? I can make you a sandwich if…”
“Thanks, Scarlett. We’re good. Peachesand I ordered out.”
I’m watching two horny teenagers set loose. I would bet we all are thinking of a response, but none of us choose to share it. Peaches hits Van on his arm.
“Stop it!”
“Did you gain weight over there, bro? You look fatter.”
I love fucking with the bros.
Van doesn’t have time for a comeback, because Teddy reaches the limit of his patience. Clapping commences, like a stern nun trying for her sixth grader’s attention.
“Okay! We can talk about your weight later. The light’s going to be gone. Let’s play!”
“Jesus! Let’s do it so he doesn’t have a stroke,” Van says, pulling out a chair for Layla.
This invigorates Teddyandhis cousins. Even Jillian sits up straighter in anticipation of the big reveal.
“Alright,playas! Be prepared togiveyour all andtakethe Big Prize!”
“There’s a big prize?” Barbra asks.
“No. Not really.”
I set her straight.
“Just the knowledge that you beat every single person here.”
“That is a worthy prize. I’m in.”
Now Teddy has us all.
He walks to the box and lifts the cover. It is an anticlimactic moment. We peer inside at water bottles, a stack of tortillas, a rolled-up paper bag, and Dad’s old Walkman. Index cards placed face down lay under a set of ancient earphones.
“That’s it?”
“Papa! You are looking at the tools of victory! Let me explain.”
