Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 108862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Diego smirks at me. “I’ll call her tomorrow and give a nudge.”
Joel, after licking his fingers clean, leans over the table to say: “Wyatt, I keep forgettin’ to thank your ass for all them vintage car parts your dad donated. Just yesterday, my pops actually used one of ‘em to get an old hopeless Chevy up and runnin’ again!”
“You’re thanking the wrong guy,” I point out, then glance at Diego next to me, who chuckles and takes a bite of his burger.
It’s true. One lovely Sunday afternoon when I shockingly got both of my parents on a video call, Diego and my father had a long conversation (which bored me and my mom to tears) about his big collection of car parts that have occupied the garage for years. He decided to “let it go at last”, essentially granting Diego permission to clear it out and put to use (or even sell) whatever he can. I guess my parents’ time on the road has taught them to let go of material things and to embrace a bright future full of limitless possibilities and adventure.
Over a week, Diego and I cleared out the whole garage.
No deadly spiders were encountered, I’m happy to report.
And now I have a delightfully spacious garage fit for my car, a nice workout area, or maybe even a pool table for our occasional movie or game nights.
Speaking of which, Joel has more to say to me: “And, uh … not to throw any shade or nothin’ on Kirk and Bonnie’s eleven-year-old’s birthday party we’re all bein’ forced to attend, but since it’s just a couple hours, and it bein’ a Friday night and all, would it be a big deal if Mindy and I, say, hung out at y’all’s place afterwards for a bit? Nothin’ big. Not a whole movie night thing.”
It’s never not a whole movie night thing.
“Mindy put you up to this?” I ask back politely.
Joel grimaces. “We’ve got the sitter ‘til midnight.”
“I don’t see why not,” says Diego unexpectedly. I look at him. He throws a shrug at me. “Could invite Nicole and the boys over. Kinda been looking for an excuse to, haven’t we? So damned busy lately, we keep putting them off.”
I consider a nightcap with Mindy and Joel and our neighbors afterwards. A little chat. Maybe some drinks. Laughter and fun and breaking the ice with neighbors we’ve been living next to all these months and never really getting to know too deeply.
Sounds like a fun way to kick off the weekend to me.
Fast-forward to our birthday party obligation.
At Pepperoni Pirate.
Surrounded by tweens playing games and snatching pizza off the table whenever a new dish arrives. Our ears are blasted in half an hour. The floors are sticky with spilled soda. No one knows the time. Someone said there’s a cake coming, but we’ve been here for the obligatory hour, and there’s still no cake.
“Would we be terrible people if we just … headed out early?” asks Mindy when we’ve been sent to gather kids for presents. “I’m pretty sure Bonnie would understand. And Billy and Tanner finally got here with their boys, and I’m—Hey, you! Presents! Go back to the party room! Get your friend with the red Mohawk, too!—I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be missed.”
“Probably not,” I agree, then find a couple of boys by an air hockey table. “Hey there, guys! Who won the game? Head back to the party room if you wanna watch Kirkland open his presents!”
“You two! Back to the party room! Watch your little pal open whatever your parents bought him!”
I frown at Mindy. “You okay? Seem a bit on edge.”
“Kids. Whether they’re four or fourteen. I’m up to here. Why’d Bonnie not let me bring mine? Just ‘cause Kirkland Junior’s a ‘big boy’ now who wants only his ‘big boy’ friends here? Please.”
Sounds like a whole cave of drama I’d rather not mine. “This must be why you’re itching to hang out after this.”
“Adult time. I need my adult time. I need wine. I need to get fucked the fuck up.” She stops at once and turns to me. “Let’s just go. Like, sneak out. Not even tell her. You, me, your man, my man, out, now.”
I snort. “Mindy, you’re so bad.”
“The worst.” And then she’s off to grab Joel.
I don’t really have a say in the matter.
It wouldn’t be the first time one of these hangout things got thrown together in the last second before I’ve even had a chance to clean up the house or restock on food. Thankfully, Mindy and Joel had the foresight to bring snacks. The TV’s on. Table is set out full of food and drinks in minutes. Diego volunteers to head next-door to invite Nicole and her sons over, assuming any are home.
He returns with a little more than just the neighbors.