Page 59 of Reeves

I keep my face neutral, but inside, my brain is already trying to figure out how to shut this down without embarrassing my son or making Reeves feel like he just crossed a line.

He stands there with sand still clinging to his knees, the plastic shovel hanging from one hand while he waits for Reeves to answer. In Benjy’s mind, this is a simple thing. They built a trap together, so obviously they will come back tomorrow and check it.

Reeves doesn’t answer right away. He's looking at me, waitingto see how I untangle this. Knowing him, he wants an exit ramp, anyway.

I look to the water for a moment, watching a small wave fold over itself near the trap they built together. The edges of their fort are already softening as the tide creeps in.

Which is exactly how this afternoon should end.

It was always only supposed to be temporary and contained to this one meeting.

Benjy shifts his weight impatiently.

“We have to check to see if the pirates fell in,” he explains, as if Reeves simply needs the situation clarified.

Reeves lets out a quiet breath that might be a laugh.

“I might need you to be the boots on the ground for that.”

Benjy blinks at him.

“What?”

“Recon works best when someone local keeps watch,” Reeves says, glancing down at the trap. “You’ll have a better chance of spotting pirate activity if you’re here every day.”

Benjy considers this seriously, his eyes moving back toward the hole they dug together.

“That makes sense,” he says slowly. “Because pirates might scout during the day.”

“Exactly.”

I glance at Reeves, realizing what he just did. He turned the whole thing into a mission for Benjy instead of a promise from him.

Benjy nods with growing determination. “I can check it tomorrow after school.”

“That sounds like solid recon.”

I brush the sand from my hands and stand.

“Alright, pirate commander,” I say. “We should head back before it gets dark.”

Benjy looks up.

“Why?”

“Because PopPop is making a special dinner tonight and we don’t want to be late.”

Benjy’s face lights up immediately.

“Yes! I forgot! Crawdaddies!”

He jumps to his feet, suddenly far more interested in dinner than pirate surveillance.

“PopPop is bringing them back from his friend’s dock,” he says excitedly, turning toward Reeves. “We’re having a big boil.”

Reeves nods politely. “That sounds like a fun dinner for you.”

Benjy tilts his head, studying him for a second. Then the idea clicks into place. I already know what’s coming before the words leave his mouth.