Page 4 of The Sky in Summer
“Let’s see if the bleeding stopped.”
When Tyler lowers his hand, it looks a little better than before. The bleeding has slowed.
“Okay. Here’s what you do. Wash the blood off your brother’s face as best you can. Then put the pressure back with your hand. Say it was a Coke bottle or whatever. They sell them at the snack bar. Forget the whiskey story till you turn forty.”
There’s a half smile from the injured party and wide grins from the uninjured.
“You got away with it today, but you won’t be so lucky if you’re stupid enough to try it again.”
They are trying to figure out why I haven’t decided to rat on them.
“I have two brothers and two sisters. I’m the youngest. We had lots of secrets and near misses. Just don’t be such dumbasses.”
“We promise.”
“Yeah, thanks!”
“And if you decide to spill your guts, don’t bring me into it. I’ll deny I know anything about it.”
Turning to my nephews, I give orders. “You two dry off. We’re going to grab some lunch.”
Red hat’s head turns in our direction as we reach the shore. The expression changes in an instant, from knitted eyebrows curiosity to unmistakable concern. She heads our way. The aunt sits up and scans the scene, then rises and follows her sister.
“What’s happened? Tyler! Are you hurt? Let me see!”
When his hands drop, her face pales.
“Oh! My God!”
“You dipshit! How did you do that?” Aunt Barbra says, walking up to the group.
“It was my fault,” David says. “It was an accident!”
I decide to speak up because I see it can all fall apart.
“Think it was just bad timing. They said it was a Coke bottle. Looks like he’s going to need a few stitches.”
That’s how you do it. Make it believable, lay it out succinctly, move on to the next thought. As if you were truly innocent. Aargon taught me that the time we were fucking around and broke dad’s favorite beer stein while having our first taste of vodka. Of course he was skeptical, but decided to believe us anyway. Relying on your loving parents’ faith in your goodness works every time. Fucking kids.
“Thank you for helping my boys. Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it. I think there’s an Urgent Care close to the south entry.”
“I know where it is. Thanks,” says Aunt Barbra, giving me the once-over and a dimpled smile.
“Let’s go,” the worried mother says, blocking out any other thought. There could not be less interest from her in my dripping wet, hard body. Her man-child is hurt. There isn’t anything here for me anyway. Married. A mother of twins. Covering her body. Three strikes and you’re out.
“Hey, thanks,” David says over his shoulder as he walks away. A nod follows.
That tells me he is most likely the Van of his family. The one who thought up the entire thing in the first place. And the one most glad I happened to come along. Maybe his reputation with his mother is already strained, or she is used to his antics. It has been a hell of an afternoon. Started good. The middle with blondie was whack. Ended with a little bit of drama.
“Good luck, Tyler,” I call as the figures depart.
Hey, looks like the mom has a good ass. Boom chicka boom. The thin fabric veiling the curve of her ass rises and falls with every step. Baby’s got back.
An hour and a half later, we have taken an outdoor seat at Joe’s Shake Shack. Weekends are crowded at this place. Being within blocks of the lake makes for a good business. That and the built-in clientele, hungry from an afternoon’s water sports.
Here comes the food. Took long enough. The growling in my stomach reminds me I haven’t eaten since the breakfast burrito this morning. But I am not alone. Two teenage boys are ready too. Appetites are big all around.
