Page 45 of The River in Spring
13
Nobel
I admit it’s fun. This birthday business feels different than I thought it would. It’s comfortable with Dove by my side. She fits in with all the personalities. Not just fits. She elevates conversations with a kind of positive, sunny influence. She calls people out on their bullshit, but in a nice way. All she does is ask the right questions. Interesting.
There’s already enough of our dry humor and light cynicism to go around. She adds to the positive, right next to the parents. And they really like her. I can tell they all do. Not sure how she does it, but Aargon has talked more tonight than the last two years combined. I actually saw him laugh out loud, like he used to when his wife was alive. Maybe he just needs to be reminded what a woman can do for a man’s mindset. I hope so.
The dining table is cleared, except for the shot glasses and bottle of tequila my father just brought in.
“Oh yeah! Let’s do that,” Van says, giving himself the first pour.
He passes the bottle around the table and every glass is filled.
“Everybody in?” He says it as if someone here is going to refuse. I know that’s not going to happen.
“What about us?” Teddy says, already knowing the answer.
“Forget it,” Aargon says.
Two dejected faces say a mouthful.
Dove speaks up. “This is going to be a drinking game. And we all know what it is except for Nobel.”
“Uh-oh,” I say and mean it.
“You’re going to hate it,” Van says, sure of himself.
“Stop it! He’s going to be a good sport,” my mother says.
This scares me more than anything. “Wait! What kind of game?”
Dove ignores me completely. So does the rest of them.
“Okay. Nobel needs to take his place in the living room, and then Gaston will blindfold him while the rest of us prepare.”
“Blindfold? Should I hate this already?” I say without a hint of sarcasm.
“No! You should be excited,” Scarlett adds. “Your woman put a lot of thought into this.”
“Come on, everyone, let’s raise our glasses to the birthday boy!” Dove calls and then downs the fiery liquid in one gulp.
Hell, why not? We all follow her lead.
“Smooth,” Gaston says.
“Awwww!” My mother reacts strongly as the fire makes its way down her throat. “I like it,” she adds, making us laugh.
“Gaston, will you take Nobel to his spot please? So we can prepare.”
Prepare? This may be way out of my wheelhouse. No, it definitely is, I know it. Okay man just go with whatever she has planned. It’s not going to kill you. Or if it does it will be over soon.
“Come on, son,” my father says, rising from the chair.
I follow his lead, heading for my assigned seat.
“Gaston! Bring the tequila and your and Nobel’s shot glasses,” Aurora calls from the other room.
He grabs the bottle off the table, and I take the glasses.
