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“You tell them, and I’ll show them the photo album of you during the head gear years.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Robo-Sharkey 2000.”

“I take it back. You’re a mean old man.”

“That’s my girl.”

“I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, Sharkey. Let’s do dinner at the house soon, okay?”

“Okay, that sounds nice. Bye, Daddy.”

I hung up and went back to what I was doing previously. Staring at the stack of briefs on my desk that I desperately wanted to ‘wish away into the cornfield.’

My phone buzzed again, and I summoned my energy for round number two with my well-meaning but sometimes emotionally draining father. However, this time it actually was a text from Sweet Pea and he wasted no time getting right down to business.

Sweet Pea: Hey, Counselor. You free tonight?

I resisted the urge to instantly type back YES and instead played it cool.

Me: New phone. Who dis?

Sweet Pea: Remember when I said you were funny? I’d like that stricken from the record please.

Me: Too late. No takebacks.

Sweet Pea: I’m not sure you went to real law school.

Me: Where to?

Sweet Pea: How am I supposed to know where you attended fake law school?

Me: No. Where to, as in where are you taking me tonight?

Sweet Pea: An engagement party.

Of all the places I may have expected, that wasn’t one of them.

Me: Really?

Sweet Pea: I know it sounds stupid, but it should be a lot of fun. More like a big family dinner.

Me: Sure, if you think I’d be welcome.

Sweet Pea: Pick you up at your place at 8:00?

Me: On your bike?!?!

Sweet Pea: I have a car. Dress casual. See you at 8:00.

* * *

Rob walked into myoffice just as I was finishing my text conversation with Sweet Pea.

“You busy?” he asked. “I need a second set of eyeballs on this settlement agreement before going into arbitration tomorrow morning.”