All I Ever Wanted(107)

“He’s coming a little later. Saturday hours,” I answered.

“You guys serious?” Fred asked. Bowie sang in near-orgasmic pleasure as Fred found an itchy spot.

I blushed. “Sort of. Yes.”

“He seems cool,” my brother said, rising and brushing off Bowie’s fur. “Callie…I was thinking.”

“What? Are you okay?”

“Be serious.” He folded his arms over his chest and looked over my shoulder. “Noah left the rights to all his boat plans to us three, did you know that?” I nodded. “I was thinking I might try boat-building,” he said. “Continuing the tradition.”

My mouth fell open. “What about college?”

“I’ve changed majors six times in three years, Callie. I’m guessing that says something.”

“Weren’t you thinking of becoming a lawyer?”

“Yeah. But only because I’m good at bullshitting,” he said. “But…well, I’ve just been thinking about it, and the truth is, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. Helping Noah out in the shop…that was always the time I felt best. Less like someone going over jackass hill, more like I was doing something…meaningful. Whatever.” Freddie rolled his eyes, embarrassed, but I could hear the sincerity in his voice.

“I think you’d be great,” I said.

“Could I make a living at it, do you think?” he asked.

“Well, Noah did just fine. You might have to cut your prices at first, do some marketing…hey, I could help you! Noah never did let me advertise, but this would be so nice. Noah’s Arks would be a family tradition. Multigenerational. We could do a Web site, a photo gallery…”

“I won’t do as good a job as Noah, though,” Freddie said, looking for a minute like the little boy I had so loved.

“Maybe not at first. But you’ll do great. I know it.” Bowie, in complete agreement, licked Freddie’s boot as encouragement.

Fred gave me a quick hug. “Thanks, Calorie. I hope Mom won’t freak when I tell her.”

“She’s too busy rediscovering Dad,” I said.

“Which is disgusting,” Hester said, coming up with the girls.

“Yeah, right. Like you’re any better,” Bronte said. “Callie, guess who’s coming to dinner? Louis. He wants to, like, ‘get to know us.’” She made quote marks with her fingers. “Freak.” Hester rolled her eyes and gave her daughter a fond nudge.

“Louis made me a death mask,” Josephine said, letting Bowie lick her chin. “It’s in my room. I’m wearing it for Halloween. I named it Mooey.”

“That’s a great name,” I said. “What do you think of Louis, Josephine?”

“He’s nice,” she announced, then, apparently finished with that subject, said, “Grammy’s taking me shopping for my flower girl dress. I can pick out whatever I want.”

“Leopard skin, I’d say,” Freddie recommended.

“Buy me popcorn, Uncle Fred,” she commanded.

“Yes, my liege,” he said, taking her by the hand. “See you guys later. Bronte, you coming?”

“Sure. You’re my only cool relative,” she said.

“I resent that,” I called after her.

“Then stop singing the Black-Eyed Peas in public,” she retorted over her shoulder.

“Love you!” Hester called. Bronte didn’t answer, but she held up her hand, her pinkie, forefinger and thumb sticking out…I love you in sign language.

“Aw!” I said. Hester smiled. “So,” I continued. “Louis is…” shudder “…good to you?”

She shrugged. “The sex is amazing. We did it in a casket the other night—”

“Oh, my dear God in heaven, please strike me down right now!” I blurted, causing Bowie to bark in sympathy. “Hester! Come on! I’m a normal person. I’m disgusted with that kind of information.”

“What? You and Ian haven’t done it anywhere…unexpected?”

“Well.” I paused, feeling my cheeks warm. “He has this dock, you know? And we went out there the other night to look at the stars, and we had blankets, and things got…romantic.”

“Yawn,” said Hester.

“It wasn’t yawn, okay? He made me happy. Twice. It was…” Special. Beautiful. Meaningful! Betty Boop and I sighed happily, dopey grins across both our faces. I’d been having quite a few dopey grins these days. I paused, looking up at the achingly blue sky. Thought of my honey’s eyes. Bowie nudged my hand, reminding me just who my true love really was, and I scratched his ear obediently.

“Well, whatever. Don’t rule out the caskets. When Mom’s out, of course. Oh, look. Speaking of Mom, there they are now.” Hester shook her head. “Look at them. Who the f**k would’ve guessed?”

Our parents were wandering along the riverbank, holding hands. “Are you glad they’re back together, Hes?” I asked.

She sighed. “Not sure if glad is the right word. But what the hell, right? Their lives to f**k up.”

“I guess we know who’ll be making the toast at the wedding,” I said. “That was beautiful.”