“She needs a job.”
Creed likes a girl. “There aren’t a lot of jobs in town.”
“That’s why I was thinking she could work for the club. Berzerker’s old lady usually takes care of the winter festival. Does she need help this year? Because my friend would be perfect for that job. She’s organized and reliable.”
How did I forget about the winter festival? It raises funds for a scholarship that the club provides for one teenager in Silent Valley every year. Creed is right. That’s way too much responsibility for her right now. Both of them are having a hard time. It’s been suggested that we send them both somewhere with sunshine for a few weeks. I need to talk to Berzerker about that soon.
“So what do you think, Dad? Can I tell her she has the job?”
There’s no way I’m making a sixteen-year-old girl responsible for an entire winter festival. “Give me a chance to see if I can get someone to take over the festival. Then we can see about making her an assistant or something. Don’t promise her the job yet.”
“Okay, Dad. But I know she can handle anything.”
Teenage boys and hormones.
What a wonderfully horrible time of life. I’m going to make sure Creed’s isn’t filled with pain. “Let’s talk about sex.”
“Dad! We’ve had this conversation dozens of times since I was eight. I know everything.”
“Like?”
“I know that there’s no birth control that’s a hundred percent effective, which is how you ended up with me. And I know there is no protection that is flawless against STDs. And I know sex needs to mean something for guys just as much as girls, no matter what my buddies might say. Just so you know, none of them are having sex either.”
Good to know. I’ll pass that little tidbit along.
“We aren’t stupid.”
Also good to know. I flip the french toast over and roll the sausage so it browns on the other side.
“The job is for a friend. Not a girl I like. There’s a difference. You can like a woman and be friends with her without wanting to have sex with her.”
That’s debatable, but we’ll go with it when it’s working in my favor.
“Plus, we live in too small a town. I’ve known all the girls in Silent Valley practically since we were kids. They’re like sisters to me…though a few of them are FINE.”
“Creed.”
“That was a respectful ‘fine’. Completely respectful.”
I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Before I dig myself a bigger hole, can I have one of those?” He points at the french toast.
Like that boy will eat any less than six of them. “Sure.”
My day just got busier.
***
“Can we talk for a second?” Bram asks as I walk into the clubhouse.
Odd. He’s usually working at the bookstore during the day. “Sure, what’s up?”
“It’s about the winter festival.”
There’s been a lot of worry about that going on lately. “Okay?” We walk through the clubhouse into the labyrinth.
“Do you think Berzerker’s old lady is going to be up to taking care of it on her own?”
