Page 31 of Yours to Ho Ho Hold
James just tightens his fist and gestures to his arm, his face growing redder in frustration.
“Dad, I think you need to give us something else,” Sam suggests, squatting down next to his dad.
When Drew said the Jordan family charades were something I wouldn’t want to miss, he wasn’t kidding. I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard in my entire life, and to say they all take it seriously is putting it mildly. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more competitive family, which makes this whole thing that much funnier.
I cover my smile with my hand as I watch James flail around on the ground, holding his arm like he’s in pain.
“What’s the category again?” I ask Drew under my breath.
“TV pop culture, I think,” Charlotte offers without looking back.
“Did someone already guess bricked up?” Maggie asks innocently from behind Sam, who wraps an arm around her.
“That’s the time,” Jamie says just as the buzzer goes off.
James grunts in annoyance as he pushes himself up off the floor, ignoring Simon’s outstretched hand as he grabs his bottle of water.
“Okay, so that brings it to a score of six to five. Drew, Holly, Sam, and Maggie are the winners.” Jamie announces, and I look at Drew who wears a proud grin.
“What was the answer?” Charlotte finally asks after James catches his breath.
He rolls his eyes like it’s obvious. “Bones.”
Jamie blinks several times before pinching the bridge of his nose. “JustBones?” he finally asks.
James nods.
“JustBones? The TV show?” he says again, his voice growing louder. “Why the fuck did you think boner would be the way to get us to guess that? Why not point to any bone in your arm or leg?”
James slams his water bottle down. “I’m sorry, son. I don’t have an exposed bone to show you all. Do you want me to peel back my flesh for you to make it easier? I thought you’d be able to guess from the obvious.”
“How is boner obvious for bone!?” Jamie screams as James and he go nose to nose.
“My dad and Jamie both take charades very seriously if you haven’t noticed. They’re exactly alike. I wish I could say some version of this doesn’t happen every year, but …”
“Now, that’s enough out of you two,” Charlotte steps between the two fuming men, her body small in comparison as she pushes them apart with the flick of her wrists. “You’re going to wake the baby if you keep all that hollering up. Since you both have so much energy to argue, why don’t you come help me in the kitchen.” She moves into the kitchen as they follow suit, grumbling underneath their breaths like two scolded kids.
“James, you can carve the prime rib, and, Jamie, why don’t you set the table. Make sure there’s a glass of ice water by every setting. And don’t skimp on the ice.” The three of them disappear into the kitchen as everyone else shakes their heads.
“Sorry you had to witness our dad miming a boner. He’s usually not sointense.” Simon laughs.
“After last year’s ass kicking, I think he wanted the W,” Sam says. “We should play a round of Mexican train after dinner. You know that always cheers him up.”
Everyone’s eyes fall on Maggie, and she smiles. “What? You want me to throw it? All you have to do is ask.”
“Nah, I don’t think he minds losing to any of the women. He prefers it, actually.” Sam kisses her on the cheek, and I tear my eyes away to give them some privacy.
“We’re going to go get cleaned up for dinner,” Sam finally says before pulling Maggie away.
Simon waggles his eyebrows at his wife. “Yeah, we need to go check on the baby.” He wraps an arm around her, and they disappear in the opposite direction.
“I see the family resemblance,” I tease. Drew just shrugs as he grabs my hand.
“Come on, I want to show you my favorite view.”
I follow him out onto the balcony as a gush of warm, salty air blows my hair away from my face. It’s nearly dusk, and the bright orange sun lights up the sky, which is seemingly cut in half as it disappears behind the water.
“It’s beautiful out here,” I shiver as cold air blows around me, the two mixing like they’re coming from different directions.
