Page 23 of The Future Play

“So, when are you planning to leave for Old Lake Town?” Mom asks.

I’m going up to SUNY FL for a long weekend to see Aaroncoachhis first game. After everything he’s been through, he found his way back to baseball and out of the darkness. Amanda was right about that. He had to do it on his own. While I don’t regret holding him accountable, I probably could’ve been more supportive. Which is why going up there today is also a surprise. We’ve talked plenty over the last couple of months, but it’ll be good to see him in person.

“I’ll probably pack and head out after this.”

“And will Amanda be there?” Mom asks with zero subtlety.

I stop with my fork halfway to my mouth. “I’d assume so, since she goes there.”

“Who’s Amanda?” Penny asks.

“Just a friend.”

“Mm. Friend,” Dad says under his breath.

“What was that? I didn’t quite hear you.”

He picks up his iPad and looks at it like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. “I just said ‘hm.’ There are all sorts of interesting things happening in the world right now.”

“Smooth,” Mom says.

“You brought it up.”

“Is Amanda your girlfriend?” Penny asks.

“No. She’s just a friend.”

“Then why are you going to visit her?”

I sigh and set my fork in my bowl, turning to look over Calvin’s head at Penny.

“I’m going to visit Aaron. Amanda goes to school at the same place. That’s how I met her. She lives in the same place as Rae and the girls.”

“Oh. I love Miss Rae. She’s so much fun.”

Rae worked as a nanny through high school and babysat for my siblings on occasion.

When no one says anything else, I take a bite of my food, hoping the conversation is over. I’m not that lucky.

“Can I see a picture of her?”

“Rae?”

“No. Amanda. Is she pretty?”

I feel the heat of my parents’ stares on me as I lock eyes with my little sister once again.

“Yes. She’s… pretty.”

“Don’t hurt yourself, son,” Dad says.

Looking at the three sets of little eyes on me, I throw up a peace sign at my dad, then over my shoulder mutter, “Pretend my pointer is down.”

Dad starts laughing so hard he almost chokes on his food.

“I have five children,” my mother sighs.

“Seriously, you started this,” I tell her.

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