My brother pulled glasses from a green rack that looked like they’d just come out of a dishwasher and lined them up along the bar.
“Where do you teach at?” he asked Gretchen.
“Lancastle Middle.”
Fuck.
I tilted my head and asked, “What do you teach?”
“Seventh grade English.”
“My worst subject,” Derrick said with a laugh. “Isn’t it ironic that I did better in Spanish than my own native language?”
As she explained why that was normal for a lot of people, I subtly pulled my phone from my pocket and fired off a text to Brayden.
Me: Who’s your English teacher?
Brayden: Mr. Wetherbee. Why?
Me: I was just curious. I met Ms. Wainwright and thought maybe she had you in class.
Brayden: I wish! Maybe my grade would be higher if I were in her class. She’s so nice.
Not tomention hot.
But you probably had to be older than thirteen to appreciate her sex appeal. That was undoubtedly a good thing, considering some of the stories in the papers these days.
Me: She’s pretty, too.
Brayden: Yeah, I guess for an older lady.
I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling at my dumbass child’s text. Gretchen Wainwright was not “an older lady”. But I’d bet my son thought anyone over eighteen was old.
I remember feeling like that once. Now I found myself using phrases like, “when I was your age,” or, “back in the day”.
Brayden: I guess she just got divorced. Are you going to ask her out?
Me: What?! No! Of course not.
Brayden: Oh. Well, if you did, I’d be okay with it.
Me: Not sure Britt would feel the same way.
Brayden: She would. We talked at Christmas and decided you should get married again. We don’t like you being alone.
Me: You guys don’t have to worry about me. In addition to you two, I’ve got Grandma and Grandpa and your uncles to keep me company.
Brayden: Yeah, but it’s not the same. We just want you to be happy.
I wondered where this was coming from and questioned if things were getting more serious between Becky and her latest boyfriend. Hopefully he was content not having his own biological kids.
Me: I am happy. I’ve got terrific kids, a great family, and a business I love. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Brayden: Except a girlfriend.
I needed to end this conversation.
Me: Great game today! Uncle Derrick says hi and congrats on the goal. I’ll pick you up on Wednesday after practice. Love you, buddy.
