My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 21: Playing Dumb

I'm so happy that lunch is over.

It's great seeing my parents, but it's never nice when things get so intense with my parents.

And most of the time, they do.

The elevator doors close, and I walk back to the kitchen.

"Thank God they're gone." Simon exclaims as I enter the kitchen.

"That's not a nice thing to say." Melanie says as she softly pushes him.

"I was just saying what we all were thinking, wasn't I, Alana?" He asks me, and I shrug.

"I guess but I was more thinking about what time it is because I could use a drink right about now." I tell him, and he sighs.

"See, she was thinking it too." He says, looking at Melanie.

"Okay, okay..." She says to Simon.

"But what time is it anyway?" She asks me and I shrug.

"That's what I would like to know because if it isn't five o'clock here, it's five o'clock somewhere." I tell her, and she nods.

"I know how you feel. I could also use a drink right about now." She says.

Elijah turns and looks at his wristwatch as he does, "It's 4:15." He says.

"Thanks, that's close enough." I say and walk to go grab some red wine.

I need something to get my spirits up before I finish one last assignment for tomorrow.

I grab a bottle that looks kosher and head back to the kitchen.

"Oh, good!" Melanie exclaims as I enter the kitchen. "May I have some too, please?" She asks me.

I smile and nod, "Sure, does anyone else want some?" I ask and notice Elijah at the sink washing dishes.

"No, I think I'll pour us some whisky. How does that sound, Eli?" He asks Elijah.

He nods, "Like, exactly what I need right now. Thank you, Simon." He says as he continues to wash the dishes.

I put the wine bottle down and walk to Elijah.

"How about you go grab that whisky neat, and Melanie and I can finish up the rest of the dishes for you." I tell him as I go stand right next to him.

"That sounds nice, but I'm almost done in any way, so you don't have to..." He says but gets interrupted by Melanie before he can continue.

"Just go, we'll finish up here. It's the least we can do after you made us lunch." She says, and he puts everything down in the sink.

He looks at me and smiles, "Okay, just let me know when you ladies are finished so I can dry them off." He says as he takes a step back and looks at us.

"Okay, we got it. Just go." Melanie says, and he lets out a chuckle and walks to Simon, who's in the living room.

He glances at me before completely leaving the room. I can't help but smile.

"Sometimes he can be so annoying." Melanie says and sighs.

I nod, "I know, right?" I say and go grab us some wine glasses.

"Oh, I thought you would disagree." She says as I open the wine bottle and pour us each some wine.

"Why would you think that?" I ask her curiously.

I close the bottle up and give her, her glass of wine.

"Thank you." She says as she takes it.

I take mine and put it down on the counter next to the sink, "No problem." I tell her.