“You just missed out on two spectacular fights,” Henry, husband of my oldest sister Marni, said and scowled at Devina. “Your parents told us about your new worker getting in trouble. I hope you gave him a whipping for being such a pain in the ass.”
Devina kept her head down.
“I took care of it,” I assured them. “Devin understands and will keep close to me. There won’t be any more problems.” I tried to appear annoyed that I’d had to leave.
“Is it true that you missed the last of Emmerson’s fight?” Henry’s question to me was followed by another scowl in Devina’s direction.
I nodded. “Did he win?”
“Yeah, he fucking won, and it was spectacular.” Henry went into a detailed description of Emmerson’s impressive victory and how he’d fought off an audience member who had managed to break through security to attack him.
“You should have seen it,” Wilma’s eyes shone with excitement. “The man attacked Emmerson from behind and he got so enraged that he turned around, picked up the man, and threw him through the air like he was nothing but a child.” She laughed. “The idiot landed in the first row of spectators and everybody laughed at him.”
“Why did he attack Emmerson?” I asked.
My dad shook his head. “Who knows? Maybe he wanted a minute of fame or it could be that he was upset for losing money on Emmerson’s victory. Most people believed he would lose. Anyway, Emmerson is a confirmed champion now and so is Wayne, and Scott Thomas. There are two more finals and then the wedding can begin.”
Scott Thomas was at least five years older than me and I’d been surprised to see him sign up for the tournament. He was a strong warrior, but I was sure my sister’s silly ways would be exhausting to him. If she chose him, I feared it would be a lonely marriage with their having nothing in common.
“Shit, did Emanuel loose to Scott Thomas?”
My mom furrowed her brow. “I’m afraid so. Wilma was disappointed, but at least there’s Emmerson and Wayne.”
Devina and I spent about forty minutes in the VIP section eating food and talking to my family. It was hard for Devina since only Frederick, Wilma, and our parents knew her true identity and we were always surrounded by others.
“Devin, do you mind a word,” my mom had the tone of someone scolding a boy for being naughty and had a strict face on when the two of them walked away from the crowd.
I knew my mom well enough to know she would find a quiet place to make sure Devina was okay, but my sisters Marni and Claire exchanged a look.
“You shouldn’t have brought that troubled boy. I can’t believe he ruined those fights for you and now Mom has to use her energy on giving him one of her lectures.”
“It’s the empty nest syndrome,” my dad joked. “With Wilma leaving us today, there will be no more kids left to fuss about. Taking in a troubled teen is a way for her to feel needed.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” Marni nodded. “But if you need more life in the house, I’m happy to send over my boys. Henry and I would welcome the break.”
“Frederick, I lost Devin’s glasses and my shirt when I removed him from the… ehh… fight. Do you know if there’s a lost and found?”
“There is. Come on, I’ll take you.” Turning to our father Frederick asked, “Can you cover for us for a few minutes?”
Pushing out his chest, Henry gave a look of importance. “We’ve got this, don’t worry.”
Frederick and I were happy to have a few minutes to ourselves.
“What the hell happened?” he muttered as we moved out of the VIP area and got swallowed up in the masses.
“It was a heat stroke because of that stupid hoodie.”
“Yeah, there’s been several cases of heat stroke today. They’ve been telling everyone to hydrate and seek shade. It’s too fucking hot.”
“Tell me about it.”
“So where did you take her?”
“To the meadow.”
Frederick raised an eyebrow. “My meadow?”
“I would claim it’s mine now.”
