Chapter 6 #2
Okay, so some of this is going to be tricky. “Right place at the right time,” I say with a little shrug and a smile.
Her mother beams at me, so I know that’s a good answer.
“I was at Perks and Rec, and we started talking. Hit it off right away,” I say, also not lying.
“I can’t believe you’ve been to Perks and Rec and I’ve never seen you,” Bruce says.
“Guess the timing’s just been off,” I say. I know I’m insinuating I’ve been there more than once, but I haven’t said that. “Love your shrimp po’boys.”
Bruce grins.
“It’s the remoulade sauce,” Harley tells me.
“The seasoning in the breading is also excellent,” Bebe says.
I knew it.
“Anyway, Violet was telling me about Sam and about Merry Mayhem. Sounded like a hell of a good time, and I wanted to try it out, so she asked me to be her date.”
“She told you about Sam?” Bebe asks.
I nod. “Yeah. He sounds like a jerk.”
Bebe looks a little sad. “He’s really not. Or he wasn’t. He felt like a son to us.”
Oh, damn.
Thea scoffs but doesn’t say anything.
“I know you’re mad at him,” Bebe tells her daughter.
“I am,” Thea agrees. “He broke my sister’s heart. He broke all of your hearts,” she says to the table. “Of course I’m mad at him.”
“I saw him downtown yesterday,” Eli says. “He was with his dad. He looks good.”
“I’m dreading running into him,” Bebe admits. She looks at me. “Sorry. He was just a part of the family for a long time. Both families thought we were going to be one big family eventually.”
Yikes.
“I get it,” I say. Damn, he made all of these people sad, not just Violet.
This crush-Sam-at-Merry-Mayhem really would have been fun.
“I’m sorry it might be uncomfortable.” I think fast. “Violet really didn’t want him to win Merry Mayhem this year.
You know, the first year it wasn’t the two of them together. ”
Bebe nods.
“So, I’m still going to do Merry Mayhem,” I announce. “For Violet. To keep Sam from coming in here and claiming the title. Especially with her in the hospital and everything.”
Everyone straightens in their chairs.
“Aunt Violet is going to be home in time for Merry Mayhem?” Ruth asks excitedly.
That takes the smile off everyone’s face.
I hate that. “No, she needs a few more days in the hospital. But she might be home for Christmas Day. Or soon after. She’s going to be okay,” I say firmly.
“I talked to the doctor and the nurses I know on the floor. They say she’s stable and there are no concerns.
” I look at her parents. “Of course, you might’ve gotten a more detailed report. ”
Bebe nods. “Yes, we were up there this morning and saw the doctor. But he said the same. Things look good. They’re hoping to wake her up the day after tomorrow.”
“But she won’t be ready for things like Mayhem,” Eli says quickly to Ruth. “She’s not going to be up for running around and climbing, and all of that craziness for a while.”
“That makes sense,” Ruth says. “But who are you going to do Mayhem with?” she asks me.
“Oh, I’ll just do it on my own,” I say. “I can handle it.”
“The rules say you have to have a partner,” Ruth says.
Oh. I look around the table. “Really?”
They all nod. “It’s a partner competition,” Eli confirms. “Teams of two.”
“Well, Ruth, what do you say? Wanna be my partner?” I ask.
Ruth is clearly touched and excited by the invitation, but she shakes her head. “I’m not old enough. It has to be somebody eighteen or older.”
“Well, I’m sure I can get somebody from over in Autre.” However, I’m not sure who. They’ll all be busy with Christmas stuff.
“Mom can do it,” Ruth says.
Everyone looks at Thea.
My pulse quickens. I’m not sure why. Just the merest hint of the idea of me and Thea spending some time together? Wow, I’ve never reacted to a woman like this. This is wild.
She’s already shaking her head.
“Oh, no. I’m not… I have to…” But she trails off and then sighs. “Dammit, I can’t come up with an excuse fast enough.”
Everyone around the table laughs.
“You really can do it?” Ruth asks, bouncing on her chair. “You’ve never done it, but you go every year. You know all about it! You’d be so great at it!”
“Especially the cookie eating part,” Thea says, grinning at her daughter.
Ruth laughs. “Yes! But seriously, Mom, that would be so cool if you did it!”
Thea blows out a breath. “My schedule at the clinic actually just cleared out,” she says, obviously a little annoyed by that.
“Clinic?” I ask.
“My mom is a physical therapist in town,” Ruth says. “Everyone wants to go to Merry Mayhem, and nobody wants to go to physical therapy.”
Thea sighs. “It’s true. I’m not busy, and these people would probably be dragging me to all the events anyway,” she says, gesturing around the table.
“And you definitely don’t want Sam to win,” Bruce says.
“And you love eggnog,” Eli says.
I meet her gaze across the table, again feeling that bone-heating effect. “I could definitely use you then. Not a huge fan of eggnog.”
She sits back and crosses her arms, studying me.
“Fine. But just so you know, I’m going to use the entire time to get to know you well enough that I will know every phobia, allergy, and weak spot you have so that if you do anything to hurt my sister, I will be able to make you regret it very, very much. ”
I grin. “I look forward to it.”