Page 80 of The Maxwell Brothers
"We think that regardless," Travis said conversationally. "But we love you anyway."
"Yes, but there are several types of crazy," Reese said, "like 'Oh, she's crazy but I’ll go with it,' or 'She's crazy. Let's call the police,' and if I tell you all my ideas, I think it will be the latter."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Travis, do you have any ideas? Everyone pitched in anyway, even without my asking."
"I’m not the right person to ask. For the past three years, I've just had time for one-night stands. Oh fu—Chuck. Sorry, Mom."
Mom groaned. I could practically see her rolling her eyes.
"I'll pretend I've heard nothing," she said.
“Anyway,” Travis cut back in, “I vote to listen to Reese. She always has good ideas, unlike others in the family.”
And by others, he clearly meant Tyler.
“Hey, don’t diss it until you try it,” Tyler said in a smug tone. “You know my motto. I’ll try everything once, and the good things twice.”
“That motto’s gotten you into trouble a lot of times, young man,” Mom said sternly.
“Yes, but you know me. I like to focus on the good things,” Tyler pointed out.
That was true.
"Why are all of you together so early on a weekday?" I asked.
"Well, I just finalized the sale," Travis said lazily.
"Congratulations, man. That's epic!"
"And I thought I'd treat the ladies to a dinner out in the city," he went on.
"And me. There can't be a party without me," Tyler added. "Someone's got to spice things up.”
“Talking about parties, I am actually going to throw a huge one next week, and everyone's invited. I'm sorry for the short notice, but I've been too focused on the sale until now."
"No problem, man. Send me the details," I said. And all of a sudden, I had an idea about what to do.
By the time I picked up Paisley from her playdate, I had a plan in mind.
“Dad, where is Lexi?” she asked first thing as she secured her seat belt.
“She’s meeting us directly at the shopping center. She went to take your favorite dress for dry cleaning, remember? But we’ll all watch the movie together.”
“I changed my mind. Can we go shopping instead?”
I groaned. Why didn’t I foresee this?
“I thought you wanted to see that robot film. What happened to that? And you always say shopping with me is frustrating,” I reminded her, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. She was in the back, as usual, because it was safer.
“But Lexi will be with us too.”
“True.” I hesitated a moment. “Paisley, you like Lexi, right?”
“Yes, Daddy. A lot. Lexi told me it doesn’t feel like work when she’s with me. That she really likes me and we’re friends. And she’s so pretty, isn’t she, Dad?”
“Yes, she is,” I agreed.
