Page 107 of You Fall First

You and your nephew in?

So. These are the messages that were important enough to steal my Jo dream from me. A matinee at the theater downtown? What’s Link talking about? The place isn’t even open on Sunday afternoons.

Me

Back up. The theater’s closed then. And Dutton’s four. Aren’t all your films PG-13 or worse?

Link

Dude. WORSE is a little rough.

Me

I meant too action-packed. Intense. Manly.

Link

Nah. Lincoln James loves the kiddos. Gotta have movies for the families too.

Me

We’re talking about ourselves in third person now? Noah Stadler no like.

Link

Sorry. Side effect of one too many interviews with TMZ. But you missed the point, man. I’ve got a showing arranged of Baby Magnetron, Before the Magnet. Might not be my best work, but it’s not … WORSE. Invite everyone.

Me

Define everyone.

Link

You’re not a pod person. You have friends and family, right? Ask whoever. I rented out the whole place, so it’s closed to the public, but I always feel bad dragging staff to work just for me and Hadley, though.

We can’t go during regular hours, or we get mobbed. So having a few other people we know and trust there makes things more fun. No one likes watching movies alone. Except maybe pod people.

Me

OK. Sure. We’ll be there. I’ll send out a group text, see who we can muster. Last night was Landry and Brock’s wedding, though. We may be short on takers.

Link

Who’s this WE you’re talking about? You and Dutton? You and me? Or …???

I squint to reread my previous message. I used the word “we” three times. But this shouldn’t be a big deal. “We” is a typical plural pronoun with zero implications in a text. There’s no reason for this squirming behind my ribs.

Just normalize the situation, man.

Me

I meant Jo and me.

Link

Say more.

Me