Lochlan held out until we sat down in church, with Caleb jockeying to be on my other side. Lochlan leaned out and looked at him.
What in the hell are you doing? He whispered.
Caleb leaned across me. Making up for lost time.
Everyone is in church this morning. Our pockets are loaded with Halloween candy to fill the collection plates.
(We still torture Sam every chance we get. One Sunday earlier this fall we used Hot Wheels cars)
Caleb sits back and picks up my hand, bringing it to his lips, kissing it firmly and then putting it back down but not letting go. Lochlan stands up. I do too because I think we're probably leaving, candy and all and then suddenly Lochlan pulls me toward him and then steps around me, sitting beside Caleb, elbowing him hard as he sits down and then apologizing profusely as if he hadn't meant to do that. He throws his right arm around me and holds his left hand up as if Caleb should take it and kiss it, glaring at him all the while.
I open a tiny Baby Ruth chocolate bar and eat it, ignoring both of them, waiting for Sam to start the service before Loch and Caleb come to blows.
They manage to behave, though Caleb offers to share the hymnal, Loch refuses, turning distinctly to the right so that his back is to Caleb. He holds the book in both hands, me within his arms. Ben looks at us and then looks past us at Caleb and chuckles. I sing from Ben's book because I don't want him to feel left out. Somewhere God is also laughing at me while I try to manage all of this. Somewhere Jake is too.
On the way out after the service (which turned into a trick or treat fest as Sam collected the plates and sent the candy right back out, asking everyone to enjoy a treat courtesy of his landlords, dedicating the collection to us), Caleb invited me to lunch. I declined because we were going out anyway, and he said that was fine, that I already had plans on short notice and that maybe next weekend we could spend a little time. I said maybe and he took it as a yes, and left quite happily before I remembered that next weekend is Halloween.
***
You prefer sweet or scary?
In regards to...candy? Movies? Music?
Me.
Sweet.
Little liar.
Today. Maybe tomorrow I'd have a different answer.
Then maybe tomorrow I'll ask again.
***
Duncan came in the house all huffy.
I wanted to knock his arms off at the shoulder and wipe the smirk off his face.
Why?
He was acting like Bridge was his.
So are you, right now.
Dude, I didn't mean any harm.
That's what everyone says, until it becomes an issue.
***
PJ is rinsing cups to put in the time machine.
Want coffee?
I'd love some.
Too bad. I can make you a hot chocolate though.
Why did you offer coffee then? And why can't I have some?
Lochlan said not to let you have any. I figured you should know that.
What else has he forbid?
How much time do you have?
I feel in my pockets for more chocolate bars but they're all gone. Not as much as I thought.
