This family dinner sucks. But let's be fair, any family dinner my brother invites his girlfriend to sucks. Molly doesn't like her, and I don't blame her, but Molly makes it known she doesn't like her. She won't let her near me and is constantly growling at her, and any time she laughs, Molly barks.
Mom has asked me not to bring Molly, but I told her Molly is part of the family, unlike Bimbo Barbie. Her real name is Barbie, and that got me a glare when I asked her if that was her stripper name. Maybe, that’s where we started off on the wrong foot? I have no idea.
But here I sit in my parents’ living room with Molly at my feet, and I can feel her vibrating growl against my leg, even though no one can hear it. Barbie flips her pin straight, bleached blonde hair, and Molly finches, like she does, when I bring out her favorite toy and wants to play, but she knows she can't.
I stand up. "I'm going to go help Mom in the kitchen.”
"Oh, I'll go help, too," Barbie says, standing.
So, I sit back down. "Then, I guess I'm staying here." I cross my arms and pout, like a five-year-old.
Barbie shoots me a mean look, before going to help Mom in the kitchen, and I know what's coming next.
"You could be a bit nicer," Leeland says.
"Or you can date someone who actually gets along with your family. Dogs are the best judge of character, and Molly has been one wrong move from attacking her all night," I say.
"Then don't bring the dog."
"Don't bring the girlfriend, and I won't bring the dog." I glare at him.
Just like that, we’re locked in a staring contest that ends, when my phone goes off.
Unknown: Hey, it's Easton.
Despite everything, I smile at that, and then I save his number.
Me: When did you get the phone?
Easton: Today from Noah.
Me: That's why he asked if it was okay to give you my number.
Easton: I know you’re with family, but I just wanted to give you my number.
Me: Actually, you just saved me from a huge fight with my brother.
Easton: About what?
Me: His girlfriend, what else?
Easton: What did you use to ask your mom for? An SOS call?
Me: YES! To get out of dates that were duds.
Easton: Do you need an SOS call? Just give me the word.
I laugh at that and look up to find both my brother and my dad, staring at me.
"I like you smiling like that. Do I get to meet who is making you so happy?" My brother asks.
"Maybe, but it's too soon," I say, and he nods.
Me: Not yet, but the night is still young. How's your book?
Just like that, Easton and I talk, and it seems like it's easier to get to know him this way. He isn't actually having to talk out loud. It's only a few minutes later, when my mom pokes her head out of the kitchen.
"Dinner's ready," she says.
We all make our way to the kitchen to help carry something to the table, and then we take our seats. Molly sits down right next to me, knowing I’ll feed her some food, especially the Brussels sprouts. I hate Brussels sprouts, even the ones drenched in butter my mom makes, and that Molly eats for me. My mom and dad pretend not to notice I do it, so it's all good.
"Why is the mutt at the table?" Barbie asks.
"I don't know, Leeland. Why is your mutt at the table?" I sass back, knowing my mom is going to call a truce.
"Okay, enough. It's time to eat and be polite." Mom says in her stern don't mess with me voice.
"So, what's new at Oakside?" Mom asks. It's how we start every dinner.
"Not much. Molly has made friends with some of the men. They meet on the back porch to throw a ball with her. She's favoring one guy, who was a prisoner of war, and she seems to really be helping him."
Dinner continues with a little light chitchat, and they ask about my brother, and how things are going at work for him. He does something financial with one of the historical homes in Savannah. I can never quite grasp it, because he can't explain it without using all technical terms.
When there’s a lull in the conversation, I decide to go for it.
"Hey, Lee. You remember Easton?"
"Of course, we were best friends. Haven't seen him in a long time."
"What happened with you two?"
"Well, he enlisted after school, and it wasn't long after that he got stationed, and then he was shipped out on his first deployment. I was a freshman in college, and though we exchanged a few letters, they got fewer and fewer, but then just stopped. I checked in with his mom before she passed to make sure he was okay. She said he was, and that was the last I really heard of him."
Wanting some clarification, I ask, "So, you were best friends, and you just what, drifted apart?"
My brother cringes, "Yeah, I was young and stupid, and by the time I pulled my head out of my ass, I had no clue how to reach him. His mom had moved and retired to Florida and has since passed away, and that's all I was able to find out. I think he's still in the military, but I can't find him on social media, so I don’t know. Why?"
"There's a guy at Oakside that reminds me of him is all, and it got me to wondering." I brush it off.
After dinner, as I'm helping Mom clean the dishes, I shoot Easton a quick text.
Me: Barely survived the meal. Now, I want to try to get my dad alone to talk. Wish me luck.
Easton: Talk about what?
Me: Honestly? You.
I wait and don't get an answer, so I tuck my phone away and go to the living room.
"Dad, can we go for a walk?"
Barbie shoots me another dirty look. She knows it's because I want to talk to him without her around.
"Of course, P. Let's go."
Molly loves taking walks around my parents’ neighborhood because there are all sorts of new smells in their yards. So, she walks happily in front of us, stopping every so often to make sure we’re still following.
"What's on your mind?" Dad asks.
"I need some advice, but you have to swear not to talk to Leeland about this, and probably not Mom. At least, not right now, because it isn't just me involved.”
Dad looks over at me. I rarely ask him to keep secrets from Mom, but when I do, it's pretty big.
"Of course, I won't say a word, until you do."
"I asked Leeland about Easton because I ran into him... at Oakside.”
I let it sink in. Easton was over at our house all the time and almost like a second son to my parents. I know they hate that Leeland lost contact with him, because I've heard them say so before.
"He was injured?" Dad asks.
"Yeah, he’s the guy who was a POW that I mentioned that Molly has taken, too. It's Easton." There’s a sharp intake of breath, and my dad stops and closes his eyes.
"He's okay now, but he’s trying to deal. He asked me not to tell Leeland just yet. Easton is still... very jumpy. He doesn't like people in his room, and he doesn’t leave his room. Well, he's just still trying to deal." I say again.
"But physically, he’s okay?"
"From what I can tell. He’s always wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts, so I'm guessing he's got scars he's hiding, but I haven't seen them. He won't let anyone, but his doctor and nurse touch him and only when needed."
It all sinks in, and my dad starts walking again.
"You’re torn about him not waiting to tell Leeland?" He asks.
"A little, but not as much as I should be. The thing is, I had a huge crush on him growing up, and recently, he admitted he had a big crush on me, too. It's completely selfish, but without Leeland in the picture, there’s nothing stopping us. As soon as Leeland shows up, the 'don't date my sister' rule he pushes is back."
"You’re torn between wanting Easton and wanting to let your brother know he's okay?"
"Yeah. Not to mention, Barbie is the last thing Easton needs. I'm sorry, but he and Molly have bonded. She climbs into his lap and lies there the whole time. If Barbie sets off Molly, it will set off Easton, and then it will take the rest of the day to get him relaxed again. He's making so much progress, and I don't want him to regress."
"Your brother had rules for you growing up to protect you. He didn't want guys using him to get to you, and he put the same rule in effect, so girls wouldn't use you to get to him. Things are different now. If there’s something there, then go slow. Don't let it cloud Easton's care."
"Of course. I told Easton the other day I think he'd benefit from a service dog when he gets out of Oakside. Molly's been so good with him. After the pool party, I went to see him, and he did well with Atticus, too."
"Was it him you were texting earlier?"
"Yeah," I say and pull out my phone to see if I have anything from Easton, but I don't.
"Easton doesn't want me to tell Lee he's there yet. Right now, I agree. I'm worried that when I'm ready to tell, he still won't be."
"You can't worry about the future or all the maybes. All you can only worry about is right now. So many things can affect the future or change things. Worry about that bridge, when and if you get there." Dad says.
"Easier said than done.”
"Always is." He chuckles.
"Now, let's talk about Barbie," I say.
"I'm not a fan, but she makes your brother happy. The more you dig your heels in, the more he’ll stay with her out of principle. You have to let him see her flaws without egging her on."
"Again, easier said than done. When she insults Molly, she might as well be insulting me. Molly is like my kid. What would you have done, if someone sat around insulting me or Lee when we were younger?"
"I wouldn't have been as nice as you have been."
"Exactly. I hope he pulls his head out of his ass soon, or we’ll have to do separate family dinners because I can't take much more of her."
"Well, she won't be getting our ring set, that's for sure," he says.
My grandparents, Dad’s mother and father, left their wedding rings to Leeland for when he gets married, and Mom's parents did the same for me. Mom and Dad made it clear they wouldn't give them to us just for anyone. It has to be the one.
"Thank God! Because you know we'd never see them again," I say.
We finish up our walk, and I say my goodbyes.
Getting in the car and making sure Molly is ready, I check my phone again, and still nothing from Easton.
Me: My dad isn't going to tell Leeland, because I made him promise. I just needed someone to talk to.
I wait to see if he’ll reply, and I'm about to put the phone away when he does.
Easton: How did the talk go?
Me: Good. I guess he didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I can tell you about it, and the shit show that is Leland’s girlfriend tomorrow when I visit.
Easton: Deal.