Page 41 of See You Next Tuesday

“Good man.” Walt gave Zeke a clap on the back.

“Your father’s been in character all afternoon.” Judy rolled her eyes. “Let’s get upstairs and see if a beer can’t fix him.”

Anya gave her dad a hug as they all crowded into an elevator. The doors were about to close when someone said “Hold on!” and a hand shot in to block them—

“Oh,” Gabe said when the doors opened back up and he realized who was inside. “Hi.”

“Hey, Gabe,” Anya replied, hoping her voice didn’t sound as unbelievably awkward as she felt. He was wearing olive-green chino shorts and a thick navy tee with cuffed sleeves. “These are my parents, Walt and Judy. Mom, Dad, this is—”

“We know who Gabe is.” Judy waved Anya off and smiled at Gabe. “You worked together in Ohio! And then I found that video of him kitesurfing on your phone, remember, Anya?”

“Is that right?” Gabe grinned and shot Anya a look. Anya closed her eyes. This wasn’t happening.

“Right, kitesurfing guy.” Walt nodded at Gabe. “But then, you’ve seen my videos too.”

“Your videos?” Gabe frowned.

“A certain backstage tour of our opponent’s rally?” Walt peered over his glasses.

“That was you?” Gabe’s eyes widened with recognition. “Anya, you didn’t tell me your dad was our best tracker!”

“Best?” Walt beamed. “Really?”

“Absolutely! You’re the one who always wears a Mets cap, right?”

“I think it’s important to work some aspects of my real personality into the character,” Walt said seriously. “Makes it more believable.”

“Wait, and you sleep in a Mets shirt.” Gabe turned to Anya. “But I thought you guys were from Chicago?”

“He knows what you sleep in?” Zeke gave Anya a curious look.

“This is my boyfriend, Zeke!” Anya said much too loudly.

“Right.” Gabe nodded. “Hey, man. Good to meet you. You work for Flannery?”

“Sure do,” Zeke confirmed.

“Zeke’s one of their top organizers in the state,” Anya bragged.

“Good for you.” Gabe smiled. “I was actually Florida field director for Flannery four years ago.”

“Nice.” Zeke gave Gabe a friendly nod. Anya dug her nails into her palm.

The elevator lurched to a stop and the doors slid open with a ding. Thank god, Anya thought as they all walked into the bar—a fairly plain space with spectacular views of Las Vegas and the desert beyond. The bar was pretty much empty except for the Sessego team (Vegas wasn’t exactly a popular destination in late August). Simone and Kira came rushing over.

“Walt, Judy, you made it!” Kira threw out her arms to hug them.

“Wouldn’t miss it, kiddo,” Walt said.

“I baked!” Judy added.

Simone gaped at Judy. “Stop it, no you didn’t.”

“Flourless chocolate cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese icing?” Judy affected a blasé tone. “I may have.”

“You’re the best mom ever.” Kira wrapped her arm around Judy’s shoulders.

“Where do you want them?” Zeke asked, and Kira pointed out a table in the corner of the bar that was piled with gifts.