Page 65 of The Puck Bunny

Not a good way to receive this information.

“Time to open the envelope, honey,” Sheila says.

I nudge Jonas to sit up and prepare himself.

He unfolds his arms and pulls himself from his slumped posture.

Mindy pulls a single sheet of paper from the envelope and reads it silently.

“What does it say, goddamn it?” Jonas asks, leaning forward.

I hold his arm to prevent him from snatching the paper away from Mindy.

She looks up and meets his eyes. “It says you’re the father. Of course.” She hands the paper to him.

He grabs it and speed reads through to where it says his name in bold print. Even I can see it from over his shoulder, plain as day. Not that I ever doubted it.

Sara vibrates with excitement and tension next to me. She covers Mindy’s hand with hers and offers an encouraging smile.

“This is fucked up,” Jonas says, throwing the paper back across the table at Mindy.

He’s about to get up, but I keep him in his seat.

“I’m not marrying you,” he says to Mindy, leaning forward. His eyes are wild and he looks like a trapped animal.

I’m about to say something, but Sara stops me, putting a hand on my arm.

“That’s fine with me,” Mindy says. “I wouldn’t want you to. You’re terrible husband material.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Jonas asks, “I’d be a great husband. I’m a catch. And I’ll be a great father, too.” He’s breathing heavy and staring at Mindy. There’s a beat of silence between them while they stare and I’m holding my breath, prepared to restrain him if necessary.

“I know you’ll be a good father,” she says.

“How would you know?” Jonas asks.

“I can tell. You have enough bravado to put the fear of God into a kid, and yet….” She gives him a knowing smile. “You have a soft underbelly. Especially for animals and people you care about. I’ve seen it. Glimpses.”

“Me, too,” Sara says. “I mean I’ve seen glimpses.”

Jonas scowls at her and I scowl at him until he turns away, muttering, ”Sorry.”

Jonas and Mindy bicker back and forth, making tentative plans to get married, with Sheila refereeing.

I half listen and order a pitcher of beer from the server without interrupting the conversation.

“Good call,” Sara says. “Have you been listening?”

I shake my head.

“We’re all invited.”

“Great.” I turn to Jonas. “Are you sure about getting married?” It’s a question I have to ask as his friend and teammate.

Mindy glares at me.

Sara answers for him. “He’s sure.”

Jonas doesn’t object and he continues arguing with Mindy about where it’s going to happen while the server delivers the pitcher and I gratefully give her a fifty-dollar bill.