Linden:Before you ask, yes, I'm one of them.
Jasper:You're just saying that so I'll be naked when you get home.
Linden:I have zero objections to your being naked, preferably in my bed, but you know I don't say anything just for the hell of it.
Jasper:That's true.
Linden:You also know I don't need to compliment you to get your clothes off.
Jasper:Also true. Not sure what that says about me.
Linden:It says you follow directions on selected occasions.
Jasper:Again, I'm wondering what that says about me.
Linden:Only the best things.
Jasper:How long do these baseball games run?
Linden:This one should be over in an hour. Two at the most. Traffic adds another hour. Maybe less.
Jasper:Okay.
Linden:Should I expect to find you in my bed?
Jasper:Expect me on your wifi. Where I'm parked while I use it is a different story.
Linden:Good enough for me.
I returned to our row,drinks and snacks balanced precariously on top of one another, and forced Ash to serve as Magnolia's nacho holder.
"It's good practice for you," I told him.
He snickered. "I have five years in the pocket before Zelda even looks up from her fieldwork and doctoral defense work. You'll be waiting on the pregnant wife before I will."
Reflex told me to disagree but longing told another story, one that blindsided the shit out of me. I could see it. I could see a ring on Jasper's finger as she pressed a hand to her belly, I could see us turning the den into a nursery, I could see us hiking through the woods with a baby strapped to my chest.
I had to thank the Red Sox for hitting one out of the park at that moment because my brother would've seen right through the vision detonating in my head. Not wanting to give him another reason to say "I told you so," I smothered it all with some well-earned celebration.
I'd let him be right about everything another time.
"Since we're not allowed to talk about Jasper, can we talk about this anniversary party?" Magnolia asked when we sat back down. "The one Mom and Dad planned for two weeks before I hit full term for twins?"
"What do you want to talk about?" Ash asked.
"Many things," she replied, "but first off, how about the fact those two hippies are throwing themselves a two-hundred-guest black-tie affair at a country club? Do they even recognize what they've done?"
"Not sure I'd go as far as that," Ash said. "It's a big party. Your wedding was a big party."
"My wedding was a glorious, blessed event," she replied with a sniff. "And, I will note, this is all your fault, Ash."
"That cannot be true," he said. "I did nothing."
She pushed to her feet and screamed at the umpire about his eyesight until the batter on base turned to stare at her, his mouth hanging open and his brows pinched high in shock. My sister always came to these games armed with some colorful commentary.
"Sit down, sit down," Ash said. "I promised your husband I wouldn't let you get too worked up."
"I don't know why Rob thinksyou'regoing to prevent such a thing at a playoff game, especially one with that douche bagel of an ump."
