Page 37 of Embody

“It’s been since last Christmas,” Mr. Kendrick mumbles. “I don’t think they let adults in, without children with them, more than nine times, Baby.”

“Oh hush,” she waves him off. “Of course they do. We’re going. Anyway, as I was saying,to Bellamy…there was my Christmas present, when he found my mother I hadn’t seen in years. What else, honey?” She looks at him the exact way I want to look at my husband years from now.

“You spoiled me too,” he studies every nuance of her face in admiration, as though seeing her for the first time. “What about the CD of all our songs you made me, right before we…”

“And we’re done with story time,” Jefferson loudly interjects. “Dad, TMI in front of company much?”

“Sorry,” he laughs, making him look many years younger. “Forgot where I was for a minute. Your mom just…”

“Daddy,” Brynn cuts him off this time. “We know.”

“Did you know I’m going to Disney World for Christmas this year?” Mrs. Kendrick snickers.

“Yep. Minute you said it,” Brynn titters and the two women look at Mr. Kendrick, already shaking his head in defeat.

All of a sudden,Just a Lil’ Bitby 50 Cent, a song Iusedto like, starts blaring from Jefferson’s phone.

Brynn muffles her snort with her hand while her brother fumbles frantically to get it to stop.

Laney, uh Mrs. Kendrick, (still teetering back and forth on what to call her) simply drops her head.

“Laney, your son brought his phone to our dinner table, and has a ringtone clearly objectifying women,” Mr. Kendrick points out the obvious in gruff disapproval.

“Again honey, I can hear,” she replies.

“Girl Sunday calling?” Brynn sneers at her brother. “Anyone I know? And are you really only giving each otherjust a lil’ bit?”

“That’s it!” Mr. Kendrick rattles the windows with his scary as hell roar as he throws down his napkin and stands. “If your last name is Kendrick, haul your ass into my office, now!”

When they all march out, I look at Ryder. “Um.”

“Yes, I’ll give you a ride home. Let’s go before they get back.”

We grab our stuff and rush for the door, closing it very quietly, then jump in his car and peel out of the driveway.

After an awkward silence, I think both our shock starts to dissipate some. Enough so that Ryder finally speaks. “Any idea what’s gotten into them? Brynn hasneverbeen a snide smart-ass, ever. She adores her brother and my favorite thing about her has always been how calm she is, staying out of any drama. I just…” he bangs a fist on the steering wheel, “feel like she’s not my Brynn at all anymore.”

Should I tell him? I don’t really know him that well, but as I look over at him and see the sheer misery on his face, the textbook expression of a heart breaking…I decide I have to.

So, I do, tell him, everything. Leaving nothing of my own responsibility out.

We pull up in front of my complex and he puts the car in park, shifting in his seat to face me. “Bellamy, you have to know Brynn’s an amazing person. Heart of gold. She just doesn’t want to lose the best friend she’s ever had. JT has messed around with a few of her buddies before. Do you see them anywhere now? Her approach may not have been very well thought out, and a little selfish, but her fear is legitimate. And her intention isn’t malicious, I’d swear for her on that. Please, just talk to her. I want my girl back.”

“Listen carefully, Ryder, I mean it. You say nothing to her,nothing. If she comes clean to me first, I will immediately forgive her and straighten this whole thing out. But she has to realize and own her shit first, without you telling her to. If her character is of the fiber you and I both have the utmost faith it is, shouldn’t be long before she does so, right? So letherprove it. Deal?”

“I don’t know, I feel like I should tell her,” he mumbles, head drooping.

“Then go ahead, I can’t stop you. And I’ll listen, be cordial and go about my business. But the friendship won’t be the same. My trust and faith in her won’t be restored,” I fight back tears, “and I can’t pretend it will be. Jefferson and I might find after one date we are better off as friends, but I’ll know Brynn and I can’t be ever again. Not good ones anyway. Up to you.”

He exhales long and grievingly, then nods. “No, you’re right. I’d be hurt if a friend did it to me too, and it’s no different than Brynn keeping her concerns from me, just flipping from hot to cold like I should be able to read her mind. Okay, I won’t say anything. But Bellamy, be careful. JT’s one of my best friends and I’d have his back anytime he asked, but he is who he is. I’ve never seen himdatea girl, or bring the same one around more than twice. That’s not me badmouthing my boy, it’s a fact. You’re a nice girl, I don’t want to see you get hurt. Brynn doesn’t either.”

“I appreciate it, I do. But I’m also a big girl, and can handle it, I promise. Thanks for the ride and the advice. See ya later.”

 

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