I usually loved that my brothers knew my ex-wife so well. But not today.
“I’m trying to get in front of it.”
Beau held the burger with both hands and paused before taking a bite to say, “Yeah. Sure. That’s what this is about.”
“Fuck you,” I grumbled before taking my own bite.
He swallowed before asking, “Why can’t you just admit you like this woman?”
“Okay, fine. I do like her; she’s a nice person. But that’s not what this is about.”
“Look,” my brother paused and sucked a ketchup blob that had dripped onto the webbing of his hand then continued. “If you want me to give up my Friday night to help you, the least you can do is be honest with me.”
I shoved fries into my mouth to buy myself a few seconds before responding.
Beau lowered his burger, like he’d had an epiphany.
“Unless you aren’t even being honest with yourself.”
“What does it matter? I’m not going to pursue her. We both agreed that we want different things.”
Beau took another bite and studied me while he chewed slowly.
Finally, he asked, “Is she going to be there on Friday?”
“I think so. At least to let me in.”
“She doesn’t have to be home to do that, Boomer.”
I remembered the night I took her home from Flannigan’s, and she opened her garage door with her phone.
“I know!” I snarled.
“Well, find out if she’s going to be there.”
I looked at my brother suspiciously.
“Why?”
“Because I’m only helping you if I get to meet her.”
“Why do you want to meet her?”
“Derrick said she’s your soulmate. I want to see if I agree.”
****
Gretchen
I pulled out my phone during lunch to play a few games of sudoku while I ate my sandwich and noticed I had a text message.
Gabe: Are we still on for tomorrow?
Me: If that still works for you. Do you know what time?
Gabe: My brother, Beau, and I can get there around six.
That didn’t leave me a lot of time after school. It was a good thing I was almost finished boxing up the kitchen.
