Patrick tapped his watch. "You have three minutes before I'mwalkingout."
She guzzled her sparkling water and gave him an apathetic look. "You can walk out now if you'd like," she replied. "Leave, suck my dick, row a boat to Rome. I don't giveafuck."
"About the holidays," Matt prompted, ending Patrick and Shannon's glaringcontest.
"Could we bullet point this? Maybe drop it in a distribution list email? How about a group text?" Tom asked. "This would be easier if we all got onSlack."
An immediate chorus of groans and protestswentup.
"Stop trying to make Slack happen, Thomas," Iyelled.
"The distro lists are for unimportant emails no one will ever read. The group texts are for lunch orders, emergencies, and photos from job sites," Matt said, ticking off each mode of communication on his fingers. "And Slack is for corporate windbags who don'tworkhere."
"One more minute," Patrick said as he snapped hislaptopshut.
"Let's do this real quick," Shannon said, holding up her hands. "Thanksgiving is at my house again this year. It's going to be a big crowd. Will's business partner Jordan is coming with his girlfriend April. Judy and the Commodore will be there. They arrive at the end of the week and they're staying— thank god for grandparents—until after this baby arrives." She patted her belly. "Will's brother Wes might even make anappearance."
"That's great," I said. "But what's onthemenu?"
"Oh! You should bring Alexandra." Shannon slapped the table witheachword.
Patrick pushed back from the table and swung his messenger bag across his chest. "Here's a suggestion. Think about wrapping up this conversation and getting some work done." He bent and dropped a kiss to Andy's forehead. To her, he said, "Text me if you need anything,kitten."
After Patrick left the attic, everyone else started filing out. Shannon tapped my forearm. "I want you to bringAlexandra."
"You've mentioned this,"Isaid.
"Does that meanyouwill?"
Holidays with the family were, as Alex would say, a bridge crosser. It was a dive into the Walsh deep end, a front row seat to the circus. And what a circusitwas.
I nodded. "It means I'll checkwithher."
* * *
Riley:Are we still good to go for the gametonight?
Alex:Ready and set. I've got a procedure this afternoon but it should be a quick in and out. What time am Iseeingyou?
Riley:Around 6? I'm working on finishing some designs this afternoon so I probably won't stop at home before pickingyouup.
Alex:I'll just meet you at youroffice.
Riley:Do you remember how togethere?
Alex:You know, I'm not completelyhelpless.
Riley:I never said you were. I only implied that you'd get lost going to work if it wasn't literally across the street from yourapartment.
Alex:Thanks for thatclarification.
Riley:No problem,Shortstop.
Alex:I'll meet you at your office.At6.
Riley:Fantastic. That gives us an hour of flex time for when you get lost and text me to pick you up inSomerville.
Alex:Just you wait. I'll beearly.
