Renee laughed and I gave her a questioning look. “Only you would think things were going good, after you had to quit your team, got fired from your job, and a bunch of ignorant asshats are talking shit about you.”
“What can I say? I’m a pessimist.”
“You’re my pessimist, and I love you. I can’t wait to help you plan your wedding.”
“Was that a hint?”
Renee smiled and got up. “Well, since you mentioned it. I have the suitcase in the back of my car, and it would help you get your mind off everything.”
“Go get it.”
Renee squealed and rushed down to her car to get her suitcase.
While we were picking out different table arrangements my parents knocked on the door.
“Look, Michael, she’s alive,” my mother mocked when she saw me on the floor with Renee and Norah.
“Maybe her phone’s broken, Grace. I mean, it’s the only explanation I could come up with on why our daughter ignored us on a day she’s plastered over social media.”
“Okay, you made your point. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back. I was busy, and then your other daughter ransacked me with wedding details.” I moved to hug them.
“Oh, yay! I want to help.” My mom got down next to us, grabbing a binder.
I leaned against my dad and he hugged me to his side. “How are you holding up, kiddo?”
My mom looked at us and waited for me to answer.
“Better than I thought I was going to. I quit the team, and I’m no longer employed by Dr. Bert.”
My dad stiffened and put my hand on his stomach to calm him.
“It’s for the best, Dad. I’m okay with it. Something better’s going to come along.”
“And would that something better be named Trip?” my mom asked, frowning at me.
“I need to have a talk with that young man. He’s parading around with Robin Sands and kissing you the next moment. I respect him as a player, and he has become close to us because of our family dinners, but I’m not impressed with him right now,” my dad stated gruffly.
“It’s not what you think,” I told them.
“Well, then explain it to us,” my mom said, a small smile on her face.
“Trip’s Robin’s beard,” I told them.
“I’m sorry, what?” my dad asked while Renee giggled on the floor and Norah shushed her.
“A beard is a person who poses as another person’s significant other because that person is gay.”
“Robin’s gay?” my mom gasped before laughing along with Renee, getting a longer shush from Norah.
“She is. She’s dating an actress and didn’t want her relationship to come out. Trip needed someone to help him get his reputation back and Robin needed a beard. It was a mutual agreement,” I explained.
“I knew that boy was smitten with you,” my mom added, getting up and hugging me.
“If you’re okay with it, then I guess I am,” my dad muttered, kissing me on the head. “Norah, do you want to go with Pop to get dinner and ice cream? I think it’s a perfect time for a family night.”
Norah paused her show, giving us specific instructions not to turn it back on before launching herself at her grandpa. My dad winked at me and walked out to get us dinner.
