Page 54 of Sharkbait
“Oh. Have we reached the point in the conversation where you two speak about me as if I’m not here? Also, Eve”—I tilt my head and really take her in—“is this you encouraging me to date?”
“Why not? I am.” She shrugs. “And don’t you think it’s time? You’re a great guy. You deserve to have some fun! Whether it’swith this girl or someone else.”
I watch the waves rise and fall a few times.
“Alright, but what’s the point when I’m leaving in a few months?”
“Fun, my friend. Fun is the point,” Wally says.
These two are giant pains in my ass, but I know without a doubt they want the best for me.
And—as much as I hate to admit it—they’re also always right.
Because one thing is for sure. With the exception of the one-night keg stand, my little caveman has been out of commission for way too long.
Chapter Thirteen
Louise
Ralph:What’s your ETA?
Me:I’ve been around the corner for twenty minutes debating whether to ring your bell or not.
Ralph:Lou, come on. It’ll be good. I promise.
Me:Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Ralph:She’s in a much better place now.
Me:You mean she’s dead?
Ralph:Damn, that was dark.
Me:Sorry. You know my humor gets dark when it comes to the parentals.
Me:I didn’t mean that.
Me:Ralph, seriously. I didn’t mean that.
Ralph:I know you didn’t.
Me:Ugh. I feel bad now.
Ralph:Don’t. It’s okay. Come up. I’ll try my best to keep the focus off you. She’s on a get-to-know-you mission with Callie since she arrived last night. And if anyone is a good buffer, it’s Callie.
Me:True. Alright, give me another minute and I’ll be there.
Ralph:CU soon.
It’s Ralph’s birthday week, and the mother figure has descended.
I was surprised at first that Ralph and Calliope are down to host her for an entire week, but in hindsight, I shouldn’t have been. Ralph is generally a better person than I am. And Calliope? Calliope likely doesn’t know the extent of what she’s in for.
Well, strap in, sister friend.
This family is a wild ride.
The past few weeks have been a blur. Between my shifts at the aquarium that are in full swing now, the intense workload I find myself under for grad school, and squeezing in whatever space I can find in my schedule to bond with Meilani, thankfully there hasn’t been much time to stress over Mom’s impending visit.
