Page 66 of Nerdplay
“I don’t blame you for trading it,” Gloria says. “You deserve better than Paul. He’s the one who cheated on you with your own co-worker, isn’t he?”
“Is that who he married?” Laura asks.
The lines of Angela’s angular face soften. “No, this is a new woman, and she won’t be the last, I’m sure. A tiger doesn’t change his stripes.” Angela sounds a little sad when she says this, and I get the sense that she believed Paul might have changed his stripes for her.
“People only change if they want to,” Cricket says. “Nobody can force them into it.” It’s the first time she’s spoken in a while, and I wonder if there’s a reason for her silence.
Gloria surveys the group. “I’d like the flask, unless somebody else is desperate for it.” She waits a beat and then says, “And I have this to offer.” She tosses a comic book on the table. “I got this at New York Comic-Con.”
Cricket rubs her friend’s shoulder in a supportive gesture. “Proud of you, G.”
Gloria allows herself a tiny smile. “Letting go isn’t easy.”
The comic book seems innocuous enough. “I didn’t know there were Buffy comics.”
“That’s because you’re not a true fan,” Laura remarks, which results in a hissing sound from a couple of the others.
“We don’t pop-culture shame in this family,” Cricket reminds her. “Everyone has their own level of interest and investment.”
Laura’s arms snap into a folded position. “That wasn’t Adam’s attitude when I told him I don’t get the love for Grogu.”
“Grogu is Baby Yoda,” Cricket whispers to me, anticipating my ignorance.
“Din Grogu must be protected at all costs,” Adam shoots back.
“If that’s your position, then you’re in the wrong mask,” Laura says. “You ought to be wearing a Mandalorian mask.”
To my utter shock, Adam rips off the black helmet. “You’re right. I have one in my cabin. I’ll get it.” Adam’s hair is matted to his head thanks to excess sweat. I suspect he may have showered with the helmet on.
“You carry a spare?” I ask.
“The Mandalorian is my second favorite,” Adam explains, pulling out his phone. “I have a ranked list if you’d like to see it.”
Cricket nudges his phone away. “Your rankings are special to you, remember? For your eyes only.”
I get the distinct impression they’ve had this conversation before. As usual, Cricket impresses me with the kind and careful way she redirects Adam. The guy would’ve had no hope of developing his passion in my household. My parents would’ve shamed him until he buried his interests in a place too deep to access.
Finally, it’s my turn. I swipe Chucky off the ground where he’s been concealed by darkness and place him directly in the spotlight.
Olivia pinches her grandfather’s sleeve. “Please don’t take Chucky. I don’t want him in our cabin.”
Ben pats her hand. “I have no intention of depriving the young man of Chucky’s company.”
“Even if someone else takes him,” Angela chimes in with a knowing smile, “I have a feeling he’ll end up right back in Charlie’s cabin.”
Cricket can’t quite conceal her shit-eating grin. “I think Chucky is yours for the duration. Sorry about that.”
“You can only swap something that belongs to you,” Gloria says. “Otherwise, it’s cheating.”
“Well, we can’t have that.” I may have many flaws, but being a cheater isn’t one of them. As I pat my pockets in search of another option, an idea flares. I open my wallet and produce a baseball card, slapping it on the table next to Chucky.
Bradley whistles. “Cal Ripken Jr. Absolute legend.”
Stefan picks up the card and studies it. “Is it worth money?”
“I imagine so.”
“Then why would you trade it?”
