Page 48 of Bad Words

Justin

Will you guys calm down we’ll figure shit out when we’re there.

Christi

WE will not figure anything out, if you’re included in that statement.

Elena

Lol yeah when have you literally ever contributed to planning, Justin?

Justin

jesus fine I’ll just shut up I guess

Parker

Justin, you don’t need to shut up. It’s true that we’ll be able to do some planning when we’re on the ground. Elena, when does Katy get back from Palo Alto? I’m sure we can figure something out that works for all of us, plus the kids.

Elena

She comes back down Christmas Eve. Around the same time you land

Parker

Okay, awesome. Would you two want to do the big family feast as Noche Buena dinner instead? Though totally understand if you don’t want to cook before mass.

Elena

Yeah that could maybe work except Mom will def still want to do gifts at hers. So it’d be a lot to have everyone over at our Airbnb, and then go to Mom’s to present swap, then Misa de Gallo, then Katy and I go home to clean up after twelve people …

Parker

What if we cooked at Mom’s that night? Then we could all pitch in to clean the next morning when we meet up.

Kevin

Wowwww am so excited to do ten million dishes on Christmas can’t wait

Elena

Kevin you have no appreciation for anyone or anything. So typical. Here I am, trying to plan to cook for YOUR ungrateful ass, and you’re complaining about POTENTIALLY having to wash like, MAYBE four dishes.

Christi liked Elena’s message

Justin liked Elena’s message

Kevin

Nobody asked you to make this dinner Elena, but I guegss now you get to play the martyr so thank god for that

Kevin

Also why are you liking that message Justin you’ve never touched a dirty dish in your fucking life

“Parker, you okay?”

“What?” I looked up from my phone at Arthur, who was lying on the sofa, reading something about the Etruscans. He’d swaddled himself in several blankets, making him look like a patchwork quilt come to life. New York had hit its first real cold snap of the season, the kind that clings to you hours after you’ve come in from the chill.