“Exactly. All my brothers are coming.”
Mom didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “You’re going to make me ask, aren’t you?”
“Yep” was all I said, because I was too busy fighting a smile to form sentences.
“Do you have anything to share with the family, son?”
“What do you think, Mom?”
“I think Phoebe is moving in with you.”
“You’re correct.” Now I did burst out laughing.
“Oh, stop that! I wouldn’t have to go around eavesdropping?—”
“Thanks for owning up to it.”
“—if you’d share things with me, honey. Oh, I’m so proud of you. This is a very important milestone.”
“We only just decided it, Mom, and it’s temporary,” I replied, keeping it vague. I couldn’t possibly give her details about when and how I’d popped the question, so to speak.
“Well, no matter how it came to be, I’m very happy for you.”
“So, why did you ask about this evening?”
“Oh, no reason.”
Now I was suspicious and earnest. “Mom.”
“Nothing is set in stone, but you’ll receive news over the course of the day.”
I’ll receive news.That sounded ominous somehow.
When I heard Phoebe come down the stairs, I quickly added, “Mom, I’ve got to go. Have a great day.”
“And you too.”
“I’m ready!” Phoebe called. Then she stopped in her tracks, looking at me. “And you’re still in your boxers.”
“Yeah. Mom hijacked my time.”
“Everything all right?”
“She’s up to something, but I’m not sure what. She was ecstatic that you’re moving in.”
Phoebe jerked her head back. “You told her?”
“I didn’t have time to. But news in my family travels in mysterious ways.”
I walked up to her, kissing her forehead. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“So, what exactly did your mother say?”
“That I’ll receive news over the course of the day. Those were her exact words.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Your family’s something else.”
“Yeah, you can say that again.”
