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14
Davis
I avoidedmy brother for the majority of the weekend by staying at Katrina’s house. Lately, we’ve been having discussions of moving in together. I’ve put off the decision and further discussion until Sunday afternoon when Katrina’s parents and my parents made lunch plans with us.
“Davis dear, you lovebirds have been together for several years now, is that so?” Katrina’s mom started. I felt Katrina’s hand go frigid against my knee where it’s placed. I lower my hand and squeeze it.
“Yes ma’am. It’s nearly four and a half years.” I smile as I fork some salad into my mouth.
“You two living together yet?” Her dad asks.
“We’re talking about it, actually recently we’ve been discussing it more.” I state.
My mother smiles as does Katrina’s mother.
“Why the sudden interest on whether Davis and I are cohabiting?” Katrina asks.
“I want to make sure that you’re protected, a young, beautiful woman living alone can be quite daunting.” Katrina’s mom explains.
“Plus, we like Davis.” Her father chimes in.
“It’s something that we’re considering strongly sir. Although, I have some responsibilities to my brother, whom I currently live with, I will say it’s a strong possibility soon.” I say, trying to make it sound good and to not provide too much personal information about Max.
“How is he doing? He won’t return our calls.” My mom asks.
“He’s good. He throws himself into work now, kinda like how he did after the accident. But when he gets home early – he seems bored. Sometimes, I don’t see him, which worried me at first, but since he got back, he’s strictly in a work and home pattern.” I explain to my mom who has a worried look on her face.
“Please have him call us.”
“Davis is avoiding Max right now.” Katrina laughs.
“Why on earth would you be doing that?” My mom asks. I shoot Katrina a quick glare.
“He… um, dated a co-worker of mine. He didn’t know we worked together. But he found out before the weekend, so I just don’t want to answer any stupid questions that I would feel uncomfortable with answering yet.” I shrug seeming unaffected.
“Davis was a chaperone at his schools 5th grade dance. His co-workers picked him up, it was like a date.” Katrina is loving this.
“And you were okay with Davis going to a dance with this co-worker?” Katrina’s father narrowed in on her.
“Daddy, he was working. And plus, I’ve met them. They’re really nice.” She smiles rubbing my thigh.
Her father then narrowed his gaze on me. “Face your demons boy. Don’t avoid the inevitable.”
I nodded and again glared at Katrina as she smiled brightly at me.
The remainder of our lunch conversation reverted to our parents, our input was requested very little after that.
I may need to speak with my brother, but I wanted to talk to Sammie and Tatum first.
* * *
School startsin a week or so and all the teachers are back to work for meetings and beginning of the year planning. I got to the lunch table first on Monday. Tatum was sitting in her usual spot with what looked like a lunch for a sumo wrestler. I took a seat across from her as she forked bits of a pineapple into her mouth and hummed.
“I’m avoiding my brother because of you.” I state taking a bite out of my apple.
“Why?” She asks innocently after finishing her bite.
“He figured out who you and Sammie were. He wants information, and I honestly don’t know what to tell him. You present as an anomaly to him; you ditched him, creating a chase, whereas he had no opportunity to kick you to the curb the next morning.” I was blunt, but I didn’t know how else to put it.
“That’s what I was trying to avoid. Look, just say I haven’t told you anything, and I’m not willing to. I’m a private person.” She offers.
I think about it for a moment that could work. He would buy it, but his annoying texts about wanting to talk to me over the weekend proved otherwise.
“We’ll see what happens. Look, I don’t mean to be a jerk, but he’s my brother and you’re my friend. I’m in a tough spot.”
“I understand. If I knew he was your brother when we first met him, I doubt things would have played out the way they did.”
“He can be charming. And he has my natural good looks, so I don’t blame you.” I smile.
