Marek
Why
Mabel
That’s not a nice response to your sister
Marek
That’s not an answer
Mabel
OMG you’re such a butthead. We want to spend some time with you.
Marek
Doubt it. But yeah, come over. Bring beer.
Mabel
Will do
I look up at Nikki. “Mabel and Benny are going to come over tonight.”
“They’re back from Saint Lucia?”
“Yeah.” I’d told her that they and two other couples had gone there for part of the break. I didn’t tell her I was supposed to go with them. “They probably want to show off their tans.”
“I can hang out in my room,” she says.
“What?” I stare at her in horror. “You don’t have to do that.”
A hint of a smile brushes her lips. “Okay.”
We throw in a load of laundry, order pizza, and I make a quick trip to the bodega for some snacks, wine, and beer even though Benny’s bringing some.
I also get an email from Levi about another goddamn hospital visit. “Jesus Christ,” I mutter.
“What?” Nikki looks up from folding laundry.
“Nothing.”
“What is it?” she persists.
“I guess Levi doesn’t get a holiday when we’re not playing. He’s still working. Still trying to set up a hospital visit for me.”
“Why don’t you just do it? Then he’ll probably leave you alone. It’s a nice thing to do.”
“I do nice things.” I try to soften the defensive edge in my voice. “I do other charity work.”
She pauses, holding a towel. “Then why not this?”
My gut bunches into a knot. I glance at her, at her clear, uncritical expression. I release a strangled breath. “I don’t like hospitals.”
“Oh.” She nods, then says again, “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
