Page 21 of Free-Spirit

It’smainlyjust the hormones talking, but I can’t help it!

“Let me get this frame straight,” viciousness runs rampant through my tone, “while your…hormone crazy…thing in…stomach growing…wife…is at the vacation property – the vacation property she agonized over picking to make sure you had all the room to do the thing with the brushes and the stroking – hacking up everything she’s ever consumed in the last decade of her life, too ducking sick to go on this family outing youknowshe was looking forward to, you decide to spend time running lines with local tramps for her…her replacement?!”

“I didn’t know you met a dog, Dad!” Lo gasps, invading a conversation we shouldn’t be having in front of him.

Actually, we shouldn’t be having this talk in front ofanyone.

Maybe not even each other?

Tucker’s arm removes itself from where it’s stationed at the same time he leans closer to me to quietly interrogate, “You’re pregnant?”

Shit.

Did I say that?!

Out loud?!

Oh nononono!

This is not how this was supposed to come out!

“Did shesaythe word pregnant?” Cherie rightfully ponders out loud.

No.

I described the word pregnant because that whole, make words make sense when I’m frustrated or flustered thing,stillhappens. Thankfully, Tucker’s immediate family has gotten accustomed to it.

Extended family?

Still learning…evidence, case and point.

“Tuck, June,” Rich smoothly interrupts, “why don’t you take a moment outside to grab some fresh air?”

“Fresh air orhotair?” Claude does his best to tease. “It’s like a hundred and eleven outside.”

“Dad…” Lo bulldozes his way into my lap along with the conversation, “that’s very, very hot. Is Hopperfield gonna be okay?”

“He’ll be fine.” Tucker forces his gaze away from mine down to the set of blues he passed on. “Remember, he’s comfy in a cage by the back door.”

“He’s already in the cabin?!”

“Phew,” our son dramatically wipes pretend sweat off his brow. “We gotta get him his hat to live in soon.”

New waves of outrage threaten my expression prompting Britt to warmly suggest, “Lo, why don’t you come sit in Gran Gran’s lap so that Mom and Dad can have a grownup minute alone before our food arrives?”

Like he has no idea that we’renotin a happy place he excitedly scrambles from lap to lap. “I hope it’s soon! I want mysmažený rízek!”

His butchering of the words is met by snickers that he – of course – relishes in.

Kid loves to be the center of attention, hence why a magic career might be perfect for him.

Perhaps his first trick can be making his irresponsible father disappear.

With the table’s attention effectively pinned back on Lo, Rich encourages us again with a small nod to take a moment elsewhere.

Relocating ourselves outside, next to the small SUV we’ve been renting, doesn’t take long nor does resuming the conversation we were encouraged to have in private.

Albeit I don’t know ifbesidethe vehicle is technically in private.

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