Page 77 of The Leaves In Autumn
“No. I’m glad she did.”
I feel no need to explain myself further. They pivot to another tactic. I see what they’re doing. Fishing for details to tell the interested parties. Sam throws the stick of dynamite.
“So, what’s the deal with you two?”
One of them must have realized a surprise attack had the best chance.
Teddy takes over.
“We think…I mean it’sobviousyou like her, Dad.”
“I do. She’s a great girl. We have fun together. It’s a good friendship.”
Sam curls his lip and Teddy smiles.
“You want to bone her! Everyone sees it.”
“She wants to bone him!”
“Please don’t, guys. Really. She’s a friend of ours.”
The two fools practically choke laughing.
“You defended her. Grandpa’s going to agree with me.”
“You mean it’s a topic of conversation?”
“Well, yeah. Have you met your family?”
“Did you guys hook up at the concert?”
“No.”
My quick answer hopefully sends a message to shut the fuck up. Instead, Sam points an accusing finger.
“You did!”
“You one hundred and fifty percent D.I.D.”
“Shut the fuck up. Here she comes. Show me what Mom put in the bag. What do you have to drink?”
Barbra’s satisfied expression and purposeful gait tell a story.
“You’re up next. Hi, guys.”
Sam becomes an old Jewish rabbi.
“We brought food! Sit. Let’s talk.”
Teddy moves over a chair leaving the empty place next to me.
“Sure. What shall we talk about?”
I send a message to both boys. An eye-to-eye command to stop with the interrogation. They understand and reject my command. I am dismissed.
“Dad, chips?”
“Yeah.”
