Page 47 of Jack of All Trades

“And you’re not?” Maltin teased.

“I have a right to be!”

“Lord.”

Jack giggled at the two of them. “Did you always bicker this way?”

“Surely. He’s the little brother I never wanted,” Maltin told Jack.

“You adore me and look up to me, Malty. I got those bullies to leave you alone in fifth grade.”

Jack’s head spun so he could stare wide-eyed at Maltin. “He did?”

“He made them all start kicking each other until my mother came along and made him stop.”

Jack giggled and clapped his hands. “Love it. Well, I officially thank you for helping with my bullies.”

“Isn’t that the worst? Seeing your own kin as your bullies? Pengroves. Pish, posh.”

Maltin’s phone began ringing, and he laughed when he saw the caller ID. “Mother.”

“Oh, my dear Trudy. Answer.”

“I was going to!” Maltin hit the green circle and said, “Hello, Mother.”

“Where are you? I was scrying and saw you far from the city where you insist on residing.”

“You are stalking me? Mother!”

“I have every right. Where are you going?”

Roland answered, but Maltin wanted to smack him. “We’re off to see the Pengroves, Trudy. I’m here, so have no fear.”

“The Pengroves? Are you insane? On their own turf?”

Maltin stared at the phone, dumbfounded. “Their own turf? Is this a revival of West Side Story?”

“Maltin Theodore Graves, why on earth?”

Roland soothed, “As you know, Trudy, they are the family that raised your son’s mate. We’re going to inform them that he isn’t their biological child. That’s all.”

“That’s all? I’ll repeat myself, which you know I hate doing, Maltin Theodore Graves are you insane?”

Maltin watched Rodney laughing and promptly flipped him the bird. “Mother, I’m likely insane, but it’s hereditary.”

Silence was never good with Trudy Hilderbrand Graves.

“Sis? Are you there?”

“Mother, I’m kidding.”

“I’ll meet you idiots at the Pengroves. This boy of yours better be worth all this. I had a massage appointment!”

With that, the line went silent, and Maltin stuck his phone back in the pocket of his suit coat.

“Well, now you’ve done it,” Rodney teased.

“Is she going to hate me?” Jack asked in a small voice.

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