+8 Points
16: Trouble
Easton
Something hits my mattress and I crack open one eye. It’s Saturday and no game today, which means we can sleep. Unless you have a four–year–old named Cole. Little hands touch my cheek and I pretend I’m still asleep. He moves even closer whispering “daddy.” I lift the covers over him and wrap him in my arms smiling at his happy little squeal. “It’s early buddy.”
“My clock was green.”
Ugh that “Ok to Wake Clock” will be the death of me on weekends. “Could I turn on cartoons and you let me sleep thirty more minutes?”
“Can I watch Bluey?” He practically vibrates with anticipation.
“Yep. Two episodes.” I am not above simple bribery to sleep forty–five more minutes.
“Ok Daddy. You sleep. I lay next to you.” He moves to lay on the extra pillow with the covers pulled up to his neck. I set up his episodes before collapsing again to sleep. I wake to him singing along, making it easy to wake this time. Not sure where he got his good nature from. Because it wasn’t me. On a good day, I’m prickly. “Thank you for letting daddy sleep. Want breakfast?” I ask as I stretch and reach for my sweatpants.
“Uh huh and then we go to the fall carnival.”
“We sure will. You ready for rides and games?” I head into the bathroom to brush my teeth.
“Yes. Can we take Luci?” I pause at that and finish brushing my teeth.
I step into the doorway. “Why do you want to take Luci?”
“Because she took me trick or treating. So I could take her to the carnival.” I can’t fault his logic.
“Luci might need the day off. She has homework and stuff.” And she’s probably not in the mood for me. She was not a fan of my nickname for her. “Let’s go see what Baker made for breakfast.”
I lift him up and he rides on my shoulders to the kitchen, laughing the whole way. My brothers are not up. “Pancakes this morning.” Baker says smiling at him. “Chocolate chip with sausage and fruit.”
“Baker is the best.” Cole says happily making Baker smile wider.
“Thank you, Baker.”
The other three troop in as we are almost finished. Mother’s heels click along getting louder as they near. “Ah good everyone is up. I have something for all of you today. There is a charity golf game late this morning and you’ll be going. You can even play if you choose to.” She looks pleased with herself. “A few of my friends‘ daughters will be there serving refreshments at the end. You can meet them.” She points to Jackson and
Kingston.
“We already have plans.” I start and she holds up her finger.
“I know. I took it upon myself to schedule Luci to take care of Cole. No excuses.”
Dad walks in and Cole is staring down disappointed.
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16: Trouble
“What’s that face, Cole?” He asks, completely oblivious to the train wreck he walked into.
“Nothing.” Cole says sadly.
“I was taking him to the fall carnival in Evanston. Why do we need to go to this charity golf tournament?” I
ask quietly.
Kingston speaks up too. “I’m supposed to meet Kendall to help with his failing calculus grade.”
sex
Dad glances around. “Then go do those things. Honestly, I was hoping to skip the golf tournament myself. Maybe Jackson and Becker will come with me to the new restaurant opening. I really should be there to supervise that instead. We can have lunch. Tomorrow I’d like to take Cole to the hobby shop. Spend the day with Kingston and Easton too.”
“Jason, they need to meet these girls.” Mother begins, but he waves her off.
“And they will. I want to spend time with my boys this weekend.”
She doesn’t hide her irritation. “Then I will go to ensure our family is represented.”
Dad sighs before he sits down with us. “Your mother only wants the best for you boys. Baker, breakfast looks fabulous. Cole, how are those pancakes? You better eat up, little buddy, before you go to the carnival. Lots of walking for those legs.”
He takes a bite of his plate before turning to all of us. “So can you boys spare a day to spend with your dad?! won’t be going out of town again for a while.”
“That would be good, Dad.” Becker says before glancing at all of us. “Maybe we could all go to dinner one night without Cole or Mother. One night for the big boys.”
“I’d love that. Let’s do that Wednesday. I’ll tell Imogen about watching Cole.” He swallows some orange juice. “I’ll get Luci to stay with him instead. I think that’s when his friend Barrett comes for a playdate.” I add, hoping to head off Mother knowing about it too early.
“I’d like to talk to you about her too.” Dad says, looking none too pleased. What the hell is his problem with her? Before he can say more, I hear the front door closing.
“Coco?” Luci’s happy voice calls out before we all turn to see her round the corner. She stops immediately. “ Sorry. I thought everyone was gone to a golf tournament.” She averts her eyes as Cole leaps down to race for her. He wraps around her legs and I meet Jackson’s eyes. None of us are wearing a shirt and she won’t look
our way.
“Luci! You’re here. You can come to the carnival with me.” She crouches down to his level, taking his hands in
hers.
“A carnival? You want to set one up in the playroom today? I can probably do that.” Her whole focus is on him.
“No Luci! The real carnival.”
“Oh, I don’t think we can do that. Sorry Coco.” She gives him a regretful look. Dad is watching them carefully, and I focus in on his frown.
“Daddy is taking me and I can take you now. You said you’ve never been.” Cole turns to me. “Daddy, can we take Luci? Please.”
“Cole….”
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16: Trouble
*#4
Mother rounds the corner dressed in what is probably a thousand dollar “casual” outfit. “Jason, darling, can you come help me with my necklace? Luci, you’re here. Looks like you aren’t needed any longer. You can go home.” She turns on her heel and walks out. Dad stands up and follows her. He passen Luci, the frown remaining on his face.
“Cole, why don’t you go and pick out your clothes? Get your toothbrush ready.” He nods to me and scampers
off smiling.
“Luci, come help me.” She spins to follow him.
“I need to talk to Luci for a minute.” She halts, her shoulders slumping. Barely turning, she focuses on her fidgeting fingers.
“Having trouble, sweetness?” I ask mildly.
“Nope. Are you?” She answers quickly and I smirk.
“What would I be having trouble with exactly?” I am curious.
“Not being the center of attention due to your lack of clothing.” She fires back. Little rabbit has teeth today. “You know you can look at us. We’re fully clothed from the waist down. Scared the half–naked images of us will live rent–free in your head, sweetness?” I tease her. Kingston mutters something about provoking trouble under his breath.
Her cheeks flush, but she meets my eyes and I see she’s mad. “Sounds like a horror show; maybe a comedy.” With that she turns and walks toward the hallway.
Jackson shakes his head. “Damn, she’s getting braver with you.”
“East doesn’t remember how to flirt with women.” Becker grins before shoving half a pancake in his mouth.
I raise my eyebrows at him. “Definitely not what’s going on. Trying to get her to face me. She can insult me sometimes, but then she can’t meet my eyes. It….unnerves me.” I admit. “Trying to figure out her issue too, because she has something. Like she disappears sometimes.”
“She definitely completely zones out. Last year, the professor had to go drop something on her desk a few times to break her out of it in that class I had with her.” Jackson adds.
Kingston speaks up. “I think she’s afraid to see if she pisses you off. Think about how she usually lets most of it slide with the football team. You haven’t lost it on her yet, so she keeps doing it, but there’s underlying fear and worry.”
“Nice psychoanalysis.” Becker chuckles. “Kingston Freud gentlemen.”
“Learning to stand up for herself at least against me.” I say as I head down the hall to talk to Luci and Cole. I do a quick search on my phone describing her blank faraway look and how it takes a long time for her to refocus. The top three things it could be don’t make me feel better about her driving Cole around. I’ll be asking her for my peace of mind.
I step inside Cole’s door listening to him telling her about all the things he wants to do today. I had to look up the full list of the rides and games the other night and show him. “You didn’t go as a little girl?” “No I didn’t.”
lost them?” He asks so softly and I wonder what Cole is talking about.
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16: Trouble
“Yes. Now you should be warm enough like that with your jacket and hat.” She steps back and I clear my
throat.
“I’m ready Daddy.” Cole turns to me. He takes off for the door and Luci stops him.
+8 Points
“Your daddy needs to get dressed, Cole.” Her voice is mildly reproachful. Her eyes blaze fire and I am intrigued by her temper today.
“Yes I do. Are you dressed warm enough for the carnival, Luci? I can lend you a hoodie of mine if not.” I fire off crossing my arms over my chest.
Her eyes snap to mine now. “Wait, I was only here….I’m going….”
“Oh yes sweetness, you are going with us. Hear that Cole? Luci just agreed to go to the carnival.” I smirk at her and she purses those pink lips. “Holding back those lightsaber words, sweetness?” I can’t resist poking at her after I won that round. Wasn’t my original plan, but I think I like it even more.
She smiles sweetly as Cole excitedly jumps up and down in front of her. “Just saving them for when they will have the most impact.”
“Let me clothe my body and we can go.” I add mockingly as I head to my room. I shower before throwing on jeans, a shirt and a hoodie. I grab an extra one figuring Luci might need it. She thought her and Cole would be here at the house.
I’m slipping on my shoes when I hear the knock on my door. “Come in.”
Dad steps in eyeing me. “Easton, I was hoping to have a word about Luci.”
I point towards the connecting door and he nods stepping closer. “Is she a puck bunny in disguise?”
“No, definitely not. Wallflower is more like it. Truly cares for Cole.”
He nods. “Wanted to make sure because Madison was. Your mother…well sometimes she’s not the best at hiring people.”
Which reminds me….
“Dad, I want to talk to you about Coach Humphries one on one at some point.”
“We will. It’s good to be home.” He hugs me briefly.
“We’ve missed you, Dad.”
“Missed you, Easton. Have fun.” He leaves.
I open the connecting door. “Who’s up for some games?”
Luci’s face tells me I provoked all the trouble I’m going to have today.
Ivory Row
Carnival trip for them together coming up next.
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