Their mom moved them along.
“So, do you boyswannamakepancakes?”she asked.
“Yeah, Ma.”
Both Black Brothers said it in unison that time.
“Yeah,” Keely whispered.
Her eyes were bright.
Her hands came up and she cupped both their jaws.
Her smile was wobbly.
Then she let them go and ordered, “Dutch, honey, get thegriddle.Jagger, baby, grab a bowl.Let’s get cracking.”
She shifted away.
The Black Brothers looked at each other.
Then, as they’d done time and again over the years, theymoved to do as their mother told them.
And not long after, the three remaining Black OGs sat at thekitchen table and ate pancakes.
But the one who was missing still was there.
Like he always was.
And he always would be.
Some timelater…
Jag walked into S.I.L.through the back doorof the store and was immediately confronted by four people.
The only reason this was okay was because Archie was one ofthem.
“We need to talk to you,” Joany proclaimed.
“How did you even know I was here?”Jag asked.
“Dude, youwannabe stealthy, yougottalose the bike,” Joany shared.
Oh yeah.
Right.
“We’re at a stalemate and we’ve agreed you’re the decidingvote,” Archie told him.
He wasn’t sure that was a good thing.
He didn’t start with that.
“First, do I show anywhere, and you don’t say ‘hey’ with akiss?”he asked her.
Archie grinned the grin he liked so much, came to him andpressed close with her body and then her lips.
“Okay, La-La, we’re screwed,” Joany declared while Archiedid this.“And also, if I don’t find a man who claims my mouth like that uponsight, I’m gonna search for a convent.”
