“I’d like to start with an apology,” Tham says, his voice low but assured. Amy leans back in her chair, her arms crossed in front of her and her gaze wandering to the side. Naveen is fumbling with his hands on the table. “I’m sure I’m not only talking about me when I say that I’ve wanted to reach out a few times, but didn’t.”
I catch Prue’s eye roll and annoyed sigh, but no one says anything about it.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t. Now that I know the truth, I understand why both of you cut ties.”
“Yeah, right,” Prue mumbles, her eyes focused on the table in front of her.
“Look Prue,” Tham says a little sharply. “I know you’re upset, but it’s time to move on. We fucked up but we’re trying to make things right, here.”
“I’m only here because Jack wanted to come,” she says, leaning forward and pointing a finger in my direction. “And,Idid reach out. To Amy.Twice.”
We all turn our faces towards Amy, who’s usually pale freckled face is turning a bright red, only rivaled by the bright orange of her hair. She frowns as she looks directly at Prue.
“I thought you left because you hated us! I thought you were sending mepitytexts! And you think I wantedpityat those moments?”
Prue shrugs, seemingly unaffected by the conversation. “I’m just saying.I reached out.”
“And what the hell do you think Ifeltwhen—”
“We’re not here to place more blame or argue,” Naveen says calmly, cutting Amy off.
“How have you all been?” I ask, trying for a casual tone.
They all exchange a look, before Amy talks first.
“Fine,” she says tightly. “This pregnancy is hell, and I can’t wait for it to be over.”
“Oh, you’re pregnant?” I ask, trying to force a smile.
“Baby number 7,” Prue says flatly.
“Wow. Are you a full time mother?”
“I am,” Amy says. “5 of them are already going to school, so the days are not too bad. Evenings are a mess, though,” she admits.
“Wouldn’t be if your husband didn’t do overtime every day.”
Amy glares at Tham who just shrugs.
“Tham’s right,” Naveen says softly. “Derek is not taking his role as a father seriously. Oh, come on, don’t give me this look. He keeps getting you pregnant, then when the baby comes, he stays late, goes on work trips, and just avoids staying home at all costs.”
“Not that you would know, but kids cost money,” Amy snaps.
“I know. It’s one of the reasons Kate and I don’t want any,” Naveen says matter-of-factly. “Also, we enjoy being just the two of us, and taking holidays, and having sex whenever we want. But yes, having money and spending it however we please is a huge bonus.”
“You guys are selfish,” Amy mumbles.
“How so?” Naveen asks her.
All of our heads are going from one to the other. Except Tham, who’s sitting between them, his head buried in his hands. It’s obviously not the first time they have this argument.
“Having kids is a blessing. You need to think about the future of the population and—”
“Oh, I don’t need to worry about it. Derek and you are having enough kids to compensate for the whole family’s lack of descendants,” Naveen chuckles.
“Hey, I have kids,” Tham says with a frown, turning his face towards our other brother.
“Two. And, unless Jack and Prue have kids we don’t know about, that makes a total of 8 kids—sorry, almost 9,” Naveen corrects himself at Amy’s narrowed eyes. “With an average of 2 kids per couple, you guys are almost reaching the quota for all five of us.”
