Page 24 of Merry Mayhem
“Anywhere else has the potential for damage,” Bruce says.
“Agreed,” Harley says.
“Cake wouldn’t damage anything,” Eli says.
“Still… the cake doesn’t deserve that,” Bruce protests.
“But the macaroni and cheese would be hot,” Bebe says.
“I’m telling you, coleslaw,” Harley declares.
“So how did you and Violet meet?” Thea asks me, obviously trying to change the subject.
Okay, so some of this is going to be tricky. “Right place at the right time,” I say with a little shrug and a smile.
Her mother beams at me, so I know that’s a good answer.
“I was at Perks and Rec, and we started talking. Hit it off right away,” I say, also not lying.
“I can’t believe you’ve been to Perks and Rec and I’ve never seen you,” Bruce says.
“Guess the timing’s just been off,” I say. I know I’m insinuating I’ve been there more than once, but I haven’tsaidthat. “Love your shrimp po’boys.”
Bruce grins.
“It’s the remoulade sauce,” Harley tells me.
“The seasoning in the breading is also excellent,” Bebe says.
I knew it.
“Anyway, Violet was telling me about Sam and about Merry Mayhem. Sounded like a hell of a good time, and I wanted to try it out, so she asked me to be her date.”
“She told you about Sam?” Bebe asks.
I nod. “Yeah. He sounds like a jerk.”
Bebe looks a little sad. “He’s really not. Or he wasn’t. He felt like a son to us.”
Oh, damn.
Thea scoffs but doesn’t say anything.
“I know you’re mad at him,” Bebe tells her daughter.
“I am,” Thea agrees. “He broke my sister’s heart. He broke all of your hearts,” she says to the table. “Of course I’m mad at him.”
“I saw him downtown yesterday,” Eli says. “He was with his dad. He looks good.”
“I’m dreading running into him,” Bebe admits. She looks at me. “Sorry. He was just a part of the family for a long time. Both families thought we were going to be one big family eventually.”
Yikes.
“I get it,” I say. Damn, he made all of these people sad, not just Violet. This crush-Sam-at-Merry-Mayhem really would have been fun. “I’m sorry it might be uncomfortable.” I think fast. “Violet really didn’t want him to win Merry Mayhem this year. You know, the first year it wasn’t the two of them together.”
Bebe nods.
“So, I’m still going to do Merry Mayhem,” I announce. “For Violet. To keep Sam from coming in here and claiming the title. Especially with her in the hospital and everything.”
