Page 9 of Maggie

Chapter 4

Wylder

“Can you pass the mashed potatoes?” Wylder asked his seven-year-old niece, Kelsey.

He sat at his sister’s dining room table for Sunday dinner with his family. They got together every week. The dinners were always crowded with at least a dozen people attending. His parents, his sister’s family, his aunts and uncles, and their younger children all showed up regularly.

Kelsey passed him the bowl, her brown hair pulled into a ponytail and held by a bow. She could have passed for her mother’s twin when his sister, Aubrey, was that age. “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” he said. He took the bowl from her and dipped some potatoes onto his plate, then he passed the dish down the table to the next person.

“Wylder, how’s it going with Morissa?” his dad asked from down the table.

Wylder grabbed a spoonful of gravy and poured it on his potatoes. “Yeah, not well. We broke up. She’s insane.”

Several people laughed, and his dad adjusted his glasses on his nose. He scrutinized Wylder. “Are you holding up okay?”

Wylder glanced at his dad. “I broke up with her. It’s a long story. I’m good.” Wylder shot him a confident smile. “It had to happen.”

His uncle Burt, a businessman with a black mustache and glasses, commented from down the table, “That woman was made for babies. Did you see her hips? A shame to let that one go.”

Wylder snorted a laugh. “If only you knew why we broke up.”

“Why don’t you tell us?” his uncle said.

Wylder glanced around the table at his family. What an embarrassing conversation to have with his closest relatives. He swallowed. “Uhh... No. Let’s say ‘irreconcilable differences.’”

His uncle started to protest, but his dad interrupted, “No use dragging it all out now. Wylder, if you want to talk about it, let me know. We can talk later.”

Wylder smiled. “Thanks, dad.”

Kelsey tugged on Wylder’s sleeve. “Uncle Wylder?”

“Yeah?” He turned his head to look at her.

“Have you been practicing for dance class? I want to do better than Trena at auditions and get the main part for the show.”

Wylder chuckled. Kelsey definitely inherited the competitive gene, even at her young age. A few months prior, Wylder’s sister talked him into taking ballroom dancing courses with Kelsey. Wylder had been surprised to learn that he enjoyed dancing. The students planned to perform a musical for their families, and Kelsey wanted to audition for the lead role. He and Kelsey had been rehearsing to audition for the upcoming recital, and he felt confident about their skills.

Wylder high-fived her. “I promise I’ve been practicing. We’re going to knock their socks off.”

Kelsey giggled. “Okay, good. You’ll probably do all right for an old person.”

Wylder gasped and dramatically clutched his chest. “Old? When did I get old? I’m only 32! I’m practically a kid! My whole life is still ahead of me!”

“That’s ancient, Uncle Wylder. Duh.” Kelsey rolled her eyes at Wylder’s antics and returned to eating.

Wylder shook his head and chuckled. “That hurts, kid. You’re vicious,” he joked.

“What’s the recital about?” Wylder’s mom, Claudia, asked, her curly red hair sticking out like crazy from her head.

“The Wizard of Oz!” Kelsey volunteered. “I want to play Dorothy!”

“That’s exciting. What part are you auditioning for, Wylder?”

“I want him to play the Cowardly Lion!” Kelsey said.

Wylder’s mom laughed. Wylder watched Kelsey, a look of amusement on his face.

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