Page 141 of My Brother's Enemy
Dane didn’t respond, but he also didn’t tone down his glaring either.
“Daddy!” It was Little Dylan again. “Do you not like Aunt Dylan’s boyfriend?”
“No. I hate him.”
The oldest girl’s head jerked up. She exclaimed, “Dad!”
Little Dylan admonished him, “That’s a bad word. You can’t say that word. You can’t hate someone, Daddy. You said so yourself.”
He only grimaced before he said grudgingly, “I severely don’t like him. How about that?”
“But he’s Aunt Dylan’s boyfriend and she’s family so that means you can’t ‘srrvly dislike’ him.”
Lindy said under her breath, “That’s okay, sweetie.”
“What’s okay, Mommy?”
“Nothing. You’re adorable. Did you know that?”
“Mom!”
“What?”
She was giggling, but she managed, “What did you mean when you said ‘that’s okay’?”
“It’s nothing, but whatever it was, you get it from your father.”
“What do I get from Daddy?”
“Nothing, because you get all your adorableness from me. But since we’re talking about your dad, did you know that sometimes he struggles with this ability called communication. Do you know what that is?”
Little Dylan had migrated closer and she was serious as she took in their exchange. “Communeaon?”
“Yes. That.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
The older one was also following the conversation. “That’s what you do at church! That’s how Angela said she’s going to get drunk when she gets to eighth grade.”
I had completely lost the train of thought in this conversation, but Lindy bit down on her lip to keep from full-out laughing. Once she was under control, she squeaked out, “Yes. Your dad struggles with that too.”
“That’s because he doesn’t go to church,” Little Dylan said, matter-of-factly, moving back to pick up a Penguin doll. It had been next to the Riddler and Two-Face. I was noting the theme of villain dolls in the room.
“How did this conversation turn around to me?” Dane asked.
Lindy finished her wine and stood from the couch. “Don’t worry about it, honey. It’s just called good battle tactic. And now that I’ve won this round, it’s time you and your sister have a talk.”
Rain had been silently listening to everything with a faint smile on her face.
Lindy said to her, “Want another glass of wine before my hubby takes you into the hockey dungeon?”
Rain looked alarmed before she scrambled to her feet. “Yes, please.” I noted how she adverted her gaze so she wouldn’t meet her brother’s gaze as she passed him. Once they were in the kitchen, I studied Dane and saw he had his eyes closed.
“Preparing yourself?”
Dane opened his eyes, gave me a nasty look, but let it fade as he glanced at his girls. They were now in a shoot-out. The Batmobile was parked in front of the goal as Penguin was throwing things at it. Little Dylan was making exploding sounds so I was certain those were pretend bombs. So far, the Batmobile was winning because it hadn’t exploded.
“You are such a pain in the ass. Did she have to fall for you?”
