“Hell, that’s how Chandler got his job too.” My father slaps his hand on my back and laughs, as though he’s just made a joke.
Now I briefly wonder if it’s bad form to deck your dad but decide to let it slide.
“I didn’t realize you were bringing anyone today,” Hudson says, and I guess that’s his form of a greeting, because he doesn’t offer anything else besides a nod in Genny’s direction.
I hope this isn’t a prelude to how he’ll react when we try to discuss Accelecom and Werner Media. Though that’s business talk. Business talk always cheers him up.
I’m overly convivial in my response, making up for my brother’s lack of cordiality. “I guess Laynie didn’t tell you?”
“She didn’t mention it. No.”
I try not to be too pissed at his lack of manners. He isn’t sleeping well, I remind myself, and he’s not warm under the best circumstances. Maybe I misjudged when I’d assumed he wouldn’t care if I brought a date. Or maybe he’s irritated that I’m mixing business with pleasure. Still, doesn’t please me when he acts like a doucheface.
“Hi, I’m Mira!” My sister pops up from her chair and, with the baby cradled in her arms, nods instead. “Sorry, my hands are full.”
“No worries.” Genny gazes at the newborn. “He’s quite beautiful.”
I surmise she’s about to ask to hold him, but before she can, my mother seems to sense it as well and has to get in first. “Mirabelle, give me that baby. You’ve hogged him all afternoon.”
“He’s a baby! It’s been so long since my babies were babies! But fine.” With a reluctant sigh, Mira hands him off.
My mother settles her grandson on her lap and stares affectionately. “He’s so attentive. Look at how he watches everything around him. Just like you were, Hudson.” She leans down to coo to the baby, “Yes, you are. Just like your daddy!”
Genny frowns in my direction. “Your mother doesn’t seem that mean,” she says so only I can hear.
Nope, today it’s my brother who’s being nasty.
I don’t say that though, and I don’t bother to keep my voice down when I say, “She’s only nice until they’re walking. I think she even liked me when I was still in diapers.”
“Which was longer than she liked any of us, since you were still in them until you were four,” Hudson adds without invitation.
Genny’s eyes light up. “You weren’t. That’s hilarious.”
“Isn’t it?” Mirabelle asks. Traitor.
“Hey.” I sweep my finger in the air, pointing at all of them. “There was enough of you willing to wipe up my shit—why wouldn’t I let you? Hashtag: benefits of being the youngest.”
“Hashtag: spoiled,” Hudson retorts.
“You’re one to speak, Mr. I Get Everything I Want.”
“Because I work for it. Not because it’s handed to me.”
This is how my brother and I tease, but I’m aware as much as the next guy that there’s always truth underscoring Hudson’s words. He’s very opinionated, and he doesn’t mind if people know it.
Usually, I can handle him. Today, I prickle at his innuendos. “Are you done?” Because I’d like to get past the bullshit and start a meaningful conversation. Preferably one that lets Genevieve show off her beautiful brain.
“Actually,” he says, “I wondered if we could talk for a few minutes.”
“I’ve already told you, H.” He hates it when I use his wife’s nickname for him, so I use it a lot. “You have to choose to share to your selected friends list and not public if you don’t want Mom commenting on your stuff on Facebook. The list she’s not on. Remember? I helped you set it up.”
“Chandler,” my mother says, not looking up. “You’re not funny. I know how to use Facebook.”
“Yeah, but does Hudson?”
Genevieve at least thinks it’s funny. She covers her mouth with her hand to hide her giggles.
Hudson, however, does not appreciate my humor. “Cute,” he says dryly. “Let’s talk.”
“Fine. Shoot.”
“Privately. Please.”
“Uh…” I consider insisting we talk here, but his expression says he’s not budging. And I can guess what he wants to talk about—he wants me to catch him up on the dinner the other night. It wouldn’t be appropriate in front of Genny, but it might be my opportunity to talk her up.
I place a hand on her arm and am about to ask her if she’ll be okay with the wolves when my father interjects. “Not now, Hudson.”
Hudson seems reluctant. “It will only take—”
“It can wait,” Dad insists.
I’m willing to slip away and get the business taken care of, especially because I’m more interested in convincing my brother to consider what the Fasbenders can bring to Werner Media since Genny made her remark about returning home.
But before I can say so, Laynie shows up with a swaddled baby in her arms. “H, you aren’t trying to work, are you?”
His smile is tight, and his eye twitches, and in the look that passes between him and my father, I’m suddenly very nervous about what it is that he has to say to me. Now I’m not sure I want to get it over with or postpone it as long as possible.
Hudson decides for me. “Of course not, precious.” He puts his hand affectionately around his wife.
It’s not long before I’ve forgotten all about business myself. Instead, I’m holding the littlest baby Pierce, staring into her blue-grey eyes, and trying not to imagine it’s my own baby I’m snuggling.