“She’s trying to spare me, Em, to give me a chance at a life with a wife and kids I can grow old with. But the problem is, I don’t want to grow old with anyone but her. And that’s why I’m stuck spinning in circles until the bitter end.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. No one can know. I promised Sam, and I plan to honor that one promise for her, do you understand?”
“I do.” She reached across the table and tangled her fingers in my hair. “I’m so sorry.”
“Who died?” A familiar voice broke into our deep discussion.
I jerked my head up just as Kyle slid into the booth next to me, and Jake beside Emma.
“What the hell?” I laughed, the dark cloud dissipating. “Is that you guys under all that hair?”
The two acknowledged their identities, hidden behind bushy beards and long straggly tresses.
“I get why Jake’s in disguise,” Emma said. “But don’t you think it’s a bit overkill for you, Kyle? I mean, last I checked, you were still a C-list celebrity.”
“For your information, Emma, people recognize me all the time, and if someone in here is a fan, it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out who Sasquatch here is. So let’s try not to be a bitch, shall we?”
“Okay, fine, all I was implying was that you were giving yourself a lot of credit.”
“Oh, I know what you were implying. And speaking of your unplanned pregnancy, did you and Finn use a Ziploc sandwich baggie as protection?”
“Haha. Good one. Is there a reason your armpits smell like horse slobber?”
“Oh god,” Jake whined, dropping his head to the table. “Somebody please shut them up.”
“As the oldest,” I interceded. “I’m calling a truce. You two hug and make up, or get off my planet.”
Kyle stood and leaned over the table, giving Emma a hug. “You look beautiful, sis.”
“And you smell wonderful.”
Kyle beamed, plopping back down into his seat. “Thank you.
“So, why are you all here?” I asked. “Is this an intervention?”
“Why does it have to be an intervention for us to hang out together?” Jake asked.
“Because we never hang out together unless Mom guilts us into it.”
“Is there a particular reason why we need an intervention, Keith?” Emma asked.
I thought about it and realized that, no, there actually wasn’t. “Oh, yeah. You’re right. Old habits die hard.”
“Although…” Jake said, hesitating just enough that I knew whatever he was about to say wouldn’t please me. “I did want to get your take on something. Casey would like to invite Sam to our wedding. It’s just in the planning stages, so if you’re against it, I’ll put up a fight.”
Kyle coughed out a laugh.
“You have something to say?”
“Um…actually, yes, I do, Jake. Did you give up your balls right away, or did she give you a grieving period?”
“Like you can talk.”
“Dude, I’m not trying to deny it. Kenzie is my queen. I’ve accepted that. But you… you still seem to think you’ve got some sort of power. Face it. Casey is your Commander in Chief. If she’s decided Sam is coming, there is nothing short of an executive order that will stop her, so stop pretending like you have any say in the wedding planning.”
Jake was silent for an extended period of time before raising his hand. “I vote that Kyle not be invited to any further intervention lunches.”
