Family Don't Break

CHAPTER 6

JACK'S POV:

"Jack, I need your help with something." Davey shouts. "Coming, I'm coming." I sigh. I climb down from the roof and into the building, walking to where Davey is standing in the middle of the room. He's holding Spot and Race apart, both of them glaring at each other. "What's goin' on?" Davey raises an eyebrow, eyes moving between the two boys.

"Spot says that clam chowder is disgusting and tomato soup is the best soup." Race says, shooting an accusatory look at Spot. "Well I'm right! Clam chowder isn't good!" Spot argues back. "Well, tomato soup is just a hot smoothie. I said what I said." Spot gasps, putting a hand up to his chest. "You take that back." he hisses. "Make me."

"Tell them to stop fighting. I've been trying to stop it for ten minutes and all I've achieved is a burst eardrum," Davey looks at me with pleading eyes. "Alright. Race, Spot, sit down. Davey, you referee." Davey shakes his head no, but I ignore him.

Spot and Race take a seat across from each other on the floor. "Okay. Someone tell me how this argument started." I say. "Well, Race was talking about how he was craving clam chowder. I, as the good boyfriend I am, tried to gently help him realize that clam chowder is a monstrous creation." Spot explains.

"Gently? You called me a bitch and then went on a rant about how clam chowder is the devil's soup!" I massage my forehead. I'm somewhere between amusement and pity. "Let's talk this out calmly. Race, did what Spot said hurt you?" Davey asks. "Of course it did! He insulted my favorite soup, which is like insulting my mother."

"You don't have a mother!" Spot argues. Before Race can rebuff this, Davey holds up a hand. "Spot, did what Race said anger you?" Spot nods. "He called tomato soup a hot smoothie. I'm pretty sure that would anger anyone." I have to agree with Spot on this one. Calling tomato soup a hot smoothie is just plain wrong.

"You both caused each other pain. I'd like for you both to apologize and hug it out." Davey orders. "I'm not apologizing! I'm right!" Race shouts. "Well, if he's not apologizing I'm not apologizing either!" Davey looks at me hopelessly, silently asking for help. "Hey! Stop! If you two don't apologize to each other, I'm volunteering you both for cleaning duty for a week." I cross my arms, staring them down.

Both boys stare at each other, glaring. "Fine. Spot, I'm sorry." Race says. "And Race, I'm sorry too." Davey waits a beat. "Hug it out." They start to argue, but Davey shakes his head. "Hug. It. Out." The boys roll their eyes, but they stand up and hug each other. "Better?" I ask. "Maybe." Race mumbles. Him and Spot are holding hands, a sign that the fight is pretty much over.

"We done? Because I need to get to work at the theatre." Davey smirks. "You mean you have to go see your girlfriend." he says in a sing-song voice. "No, I actually have work to do. I might just happen to see Alex while I'm there." Davey stands up, pointing a finger at me. "So you admit it! You two are dating!" I shrug my shoulders. "Maybe." I mutter.

"Albert! You owe me a quarter!" Race shouts out. "I told him they were dating." he says with a self satisfied smile. "Okay. Well, I'm leaving this mess. Spot, make sure that Race doesn't spend his quarter on something stupid. Davey, make sure Spot makes sure that Race doesn't spend his quarter on something stupid." I wave and walk out, shaking my head. I love these guys, but they sure can be idiots sometimes.