“Wait,” Jonah says. “Most Pride events are in June.”
“San Diego Pridefest is June thirteenth.” The words are automatic. That date has been in my head for months.
Jonah shakes his head like he’s dreaming of ways to off me. “You did this?—”
“No fighting.” George gives him a harsh look.
“Fine. Whatever,” Jonah says as he stands. “Have fun.”
His dad moves in front of him. “We can’t make you go, Jonah?—”
“June is wedding season, Dad. I can’t get time off. But, hey, if you want to wait until September, I might be able to make it work.”
George shares a look with Carolynda, and she shakes her head. She’s doing this for me. But for some reason, I can’t gather an ounce of satisfaction. I can’t stand Jonah, but I know how much it hurts to not be included.
“Can you try? Mr. Bishop’s a good man.” George rubs the back of his neck. “And Randy said he’d take care of the farm while I’m gone. Hell, if I can take time off, so can you.”
“Sure, Dad,” he says, slumping back on the couch.
Maybe this will work out. There’s no way he’s getting time off during wedding season. And a family vacation without Jonah would be so much easier. But a part of me is pissed. Why does he always give in? He accepts his fate like a damn martyr.
But I don’t want to think about that. “I’ll help you plan the trip, Mom.”
Jonah’s hand flies in the air as if he’s still in school, though he doesn’t wait to be called on. “I’m not okay with that.”
“Why do you care?” I ask. “You probably won’t even be going.”
“You’re such an ass?—”
A frustrated sound from George halts us both. “Stop. While I’d like for you boys to work together on this… We’re not there yet. Carolynda will plan the trip.” He rubs her back. “If that’s okay with you, dear.”
She smiles, and this time, it seems real. As if she can’t believe we agreed to it, but she’s happy about it. “Thank you, boys. I welcome your help. Remember, we have a four-year-old to consider.”
“And no fighting,” George adds.
“Yes. Please, no fighting,” Mom says, “I don’t have the energy for it.”
I want to ask why. Why is she so tired? This isn’t the time or the place, but I will get answers.
We discuss the details: how long it will take to get there and back, all the things we can do along the way. Mom wants to see the Grand Canyon. And she wants to take Maisy to some robotic dinosaur park. All fine with me. As long as we get to San Diego in time for Pridefest.
Jonah stands. “Is that all?”
George joins him. “Actually, we need to discuss the consequences for today’s stunt.”
“Consequences?” The look on Jonah’s face is mutinous. He’s given me that look quite a few times. It’s unusual to see that scowl pointed at his dad.
“Natural consequences.” George folds his arms, reminding me of Jonah. “Carolynda is exhausted. And I’ve still got stalls to muck out. So, what’s it gonna be, Jonah? Do you want to shovel shit or clean the mess from the party? Your choice.”
Jonah glances toward the barn, not that you can see it from here. But I can almost work out what he’s thinking. Shovel manure or spend time with me. And for some reason, that doesn’t upset me. I have the power to make Jonah feel something.
It’s something I learned from my father ages ago. Any attention is better than none at all.
“Fine,” Jonah says, glancing at me. “I’ll help clean up.” But the look in his eyes clearly says he’ll hate every minute of it.
We start in the living room and work in complete silence. Cleaning end tables and filling trash bags doesn’t really take that long, and we’re able to work together. Mostly.
When we get to the kitchen, everything changes. Avoiding each other is no longer possible. The space we’re working in is too small. As Jonah empties the dishwasher, I gather the dishes. There isn’t a lot because they usedDragon Princessparty cupsand plates. It’s mostly baking supplies and the bowls that held candy and chips.
