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Chapter 27: Lina
As I settled on my couch, a notification popped up on my phone. A video call from Mike? Perfect timing! I answered, ready to tease him about his uncanny ability to interrupt me at just the right moment. But the screen was pointed towards the ceiling, Mike's face nowhere to be seen.
"Mike?" I called out, a hint of confusion in my voice. But it quickly became apparent that I had been butt-dialed. I was about to hang up when Mike's voice rang out, his signature sassy tone making me smile.
"Sure, Daddy, after I organize the entire universe," Mike's voice came through, dripping with sarcasm.
Joe's voice followed, sounding amused but exasperated. "Well, the universe may be a bit too big for you, so let's start with your toys, shall we?"
I couldn't help but eavesdrop, the dynamic between Mike and Joe always made for a good laugh.
"I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of my awesomeness," Mike retorted.
"Your awesomeness doesn't include cleaning, I see," Joe replied, his tone feigning indignation.
"Cleaning is for mortals, Daddy, and I'm a fabulous Little god," Mike shot back, his voice filled with theatrical flair.
I found myself giggling at their exchange, imagining the expressions on their faces as they bickered back and forth.
"Daddy, your expectations are as high as Mount Everest, and I'm wearing flip-flops!" Mike exclaimed dramatically.
"Then put on some hiking boots, young man," Joe's witty response came.
Mike's over-the-top vocal expressions of disbelief at Joe's requests were met with equally playful and sarcastic responses from Joe.
"I'd love to help you, Daddy, but my hands are too delicate and refined for such menial tasks," Mike said, his voice dripping with haughtiness.
"You do realize that your 'delicate and refined' hands somehow manage to make a mess every single day?" Joe countered, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I can't help it, Daddy. Genius is messy!" Mike replied, his tone full of innocence.
"That's convenient," Joe said. "Just like how your 'genius' always seems to disappear when it's time to clean up."
My laughter must have finally reached Mike's ears, as his startled expression filled the screen. He poked the camera on his phone, his confusion clear as he murmured to himself, "Why isn't this darn thing working?"
I couldn't help but laugh again. "Mike, I can see and hear you, you donut! You're on video call!" I shouted, watching as realization dawned on his face.
His cheeks turned a shade of pink, and the screen shook wildly as he laughed at his own silliness. "Oh, hello there, Lina! Just your friendly neighborhood eavesdropper, are we?" he teased.
I chuckled. "Well, someone's got to keep an eye on you."
"Well, I was tired of the phone ringing when I tried to call you, so I got distracted and completely forgot I was supposed to talk to you," he said.
But then his excitement took over. "Guess what? Elijah has invited us over to his cabin in the woods next week to meet his pet gorilla, Samson!" he exclaimed, his body wiggling from excitement.
He even did a little gorilla dance, complete with chest thumping.
"I can't wait! This is going to be so much fun!" I exclaimed.
Uncle Joe appeared on the screen to say hi, and I waved back. "Hi Uncle Joe!" I greeted warmly.
"Daddy, stop photobombing!" Mike playfully complained.
I then asked Mike how he'd been holding up since he lost his teddy bear. His smile dimmed, the mention of the lost teddy clearly striking a nerve.
"I swear that bear has a mind of its own, like it just grew legs and walked off. Bubbles is suspect number one. She had been eyeing it suspiciously and meowing at it for weeks," he said, trying to muster a smile.
"I'm so sorry. I know how much that teddy meant to you."
