“Meanwhile, Dad and Mom are up in their room… they put up the ‘do not disturb’ sign on their door.” Lexie said, chuckling knowingly.
Our parents were way into their sixties, but they still behaved like teenagers in love. They enjoyed each other’s company, and displayed their affection anywhere and everywhere.
When I was much younger, it felt embarrassing and only made me want to barf every single time. But now… now I want something so deep and real with someone too… with Licia Michaels.
“I see…” I replied with a smile of my own.
“They’ll be down soon though. Lunch will be ready any moment.” She announced delightfully, “I already checked with the kitchen.”
“I'm quite famished.”
“Yeah, I heard the loud growl from your stomach some seconds ago.”
I knew she was teasing me. “Don’t you have anything better to do than be a thorn in my flesh?”
“Nope!”
I let out a cackle, “Fine, I have an idea. Wanna hear it?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s play NBA 2K24. No better way to return the favor, than beating you at your own game.”
“Wanna put your money where your mouth is?” Lexie challenged, already throwing me a controller.
***
My parents walked down the stairs, a few minutes into our game, arm in arm, like a couple attending a royal ball.
“I see you guys are enjoying yourselves…” My mom asserted, wearing her ever-radiant smile.
“Who’s winning?”
“Mom, Kevin is cheating. He is a fraud.” Lexie complained, tapping the buttons of the controller furiously.
“Easy, Lexie. I am gunning for a flawless victory.” I had won three rounds already, but she was still putting up a fight.
Mom tried being her advocate. “Son, go easy on her. You don’t need to prove a point.”
“I will, after I teach her a few lessons. Just to clip her wings a little bit.” I smiled mischievously.
“You two and your squabble. Kevin, when did you get back from the hospital?”
“Like thirty minutes ago, dad. I didn’t want to disrupt your… rest” I said. Lexie and I shared a mischievous look, stifling our laughter.
They took their seats and that was my cue to sign out of the game. They wanted to hear about the visit to the hospital.
“Lexie, I am done playing.” I dropped the controller and faced my parents.
“Agree that I won then?”
“Really? Or what will happen?”
“Or you play till the end.”
She knew I couldn’t play for longer, hence her insistence.
“If you quit, I win.”
