Page 134 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
“Oh, that smell.”I breathed deep with relish.“I know that smell.I love that smell.”
“We got Chinese,” said Anne.“I hope that was the right call.”
And I didn’t burst into tears.One little bastard just happened to escape, is all.Hormones.It had been one of hell of a day.“Thank you.I love pizza, but I’ve eaten a lot of it lately.Chinese sounds wonderful.”
Lena smacked a kiss on my cheek.“C’mon, Evelyn.Don’t cry over takeout.We’ve got you.You’re all good, lady.”
I sniffled.
“I was just telling her about kicking out Ben,” said Lizzy.
Anne snorted.“Well…it works or you wouldn’t do it.I tried to kick Mal out once and he staged a sit-in.He had a protest banner saying love me and everything.”
Lena headed into the kitchen.
“What did you do?”I asked.
“After he groveled for a suitable amount of time I forgave him.”She shrugged.Then she fetched wine glasses out of the wooden bar cabinet.“He learned his lesson.At least, I think he did.With him it can be hard to tell.But he doesn’t tend to make the same mistake twice.”
“Not to be annoying, but honestly, David and I don’t usually fight.So this has kind of thrown me.I don’t even know where he is right now.I sent him a text, asking if he was okay, and nothing.”I arranged the Chinese takeout containers on the coffee table.My mouth was watering.Misery loves dumplings, apparently.
“I’ve got an update,” said Lena, emerging from the kitchen with plates and silverware.“Jimmy just texted me.David is at our place.”
“He is?”
Lena nodded.“And he is apparently very subdued.They’re talking things through.”
“Thank God.”
“They’re brothers.”Anne smiled.“They’ll work it out.”
“It’s true.The sibling bond is tight but occasionally fractious,” said Lizzy.“For example, Anne used to pull my hair.”
“I did not!”
“Oh you did so.Be honest.”
Anne frowned.“Fine.But it was only that one time when you gave my favorite doll a haircut.”
“And she looked amazing with a fauxhawk.”
Anne just sighed and started serving herself some crispy duck.
“I can’t talk,” said Lena.“My sister stole my loser boyfriend and married him.Though that only lasted two years.Not a surprise.She’s happy with an older man now.He indulges her every whim.I could have told her she was narcissistic and needed a sugar daddy.Pretty sure I did, actually.But the point I’m making is, families are weird.”
“I hear you.”I loaded up a plate.“My dad still likes to name drop divorce lawyers during family dinners sometimes.Just to keep David on his toes, apparently.”
“Yikes,” said Lizzy, rocking the baby.
“I’m not hungry.”Anne held out her arms to him.“I’ll take him while you eat.”
“Why aren’t you hungry?”
“Just feeling a bit off.No big deal.”
Lizzy narrowed her eyes on her sister as she handed the infant over.“Anne, is there something you’d like to share with the group?”
“No.”
