Nathan: A letdown, but I will still glory in being asked for advice
Lucy: It’s going in my diary
Reed: I’ll pick up a couple of pizzas
Luke: I’ll get the pizzas
Luke: You’re dealing with enough asking these bozos for help
Graham: One bozo
Nathan: I wear my clown nose with pride
Reed: I should have gone to Mom and Dad
Lucy: We’ll be serious. I promise
Nathan: I’ll bring Graham so he doesn’t get lost
Graham: My GPS doesn’t retain signal out there
Lucy: Pick me up, too
Luke: We’re here for you, whatever’s going on
Reed: I appreciate it
Nathan: While we’re there, we might as well fish a little, right?
Graham: Fish and pizza. What a combo
Nathan: Graham’s on board
Graham: That was sarcasm
Nathan: I couldn’t see your exaggerated wink through the phone
Reed: So glad I reached out
34
reed
It’s never beenthis loud out here before. Even the coyotes that come through don’t make this much of a racket with their howling.
We’ve got five camp chairs set up at the riverside, with pizzas and drinks on two small fold-out tables. Nobody’s saying much of anything, but they’re filling the silence while they wait. They’re being patient with me, but it’s clear they’re curious why I asked them out here.
Time to get down to business.
I clear my throat. “I have some confessions to make.”
Nathan rubs his hands together, but Luke swats him. “Let’s hear him out.”
“We might never get this chance again.” Graham has a slice of pizza in one hand and covers the top of his pop can with the other. As kids, he once left a can unattended in the back yard while we played. The yellow jacket that found its way inside left a lasting impression on both Graham’s mouth and his psyche.
He’s got the worst luck with the outdoors.
“We’ll be serious.” Lucy glares at the lot of them. As if she never rivals Nathan on the silliness meter.
