Three Converts

Part 60

Gordo really did take care of everything. He left with Rocco and Griffin, and they came back with food and drinks. He fired up a grill in the front yard and found some lawn games in the basement. "Hey, I made this!" Griff said, dusting off a bean bag toss game. The boards were flat with holes, and the idea was to break into teams of two and throw the bags into the holes. Sophie gave one a toss and it went straight in on her first try. "I call Sophie as my partner!" Gordo yelled from across the lawn. I tucked her smile away to savor later.

Guests began arriving and our true colors came out. I sunk back, creating busy work for myself so I wouldn't get sucked into in large groups, while my extroverted friends bounced around chatting easily with every person there. Sophie hung back at first, but as promised, Gordo talked her into a game. The girls they played against raved over her bold summer haircut. I protectively looked for any trace of sarcasm, but they seemed genuine. Soph looked so pleased, I let my guard down a little.

"Hello there, darling girl," a whisper snuck up behind me and I jumped.

"Dobson!" I hugged him, thankful to see somebody I knew. "You're here!"

"In the flesh," he said with a little bow. "I've missed you. What's new?"

"Oh gosh. So much, Dob. So much."

"In that case, hold on. Let me get a drink." He brought one back for me too, and led me to the steps. Before I launched into my story, I looked around for Sophie, who was talking to the two girls that complimented her hair. Her arms were crossed in front of her body, which was a new posture for her, but she was talking and smiling, so I figured she was all right. I sipped whatever Dobson brought me and cringed. "Ugh. This is awful, Dob!" He laughed and took it from me. "I'll help you out with it, then." He tipped his head skyward for several seconds and, then tossed the can in a trash can several feet away, making the shot while smiling at me. I tried not to look impressed.

"Now fill me in," he ordered, leading me to a couple lawn chairs. I was so familiar with the telling of my story now that I didn't even cringe at the part where I stomped on Franklin's eyeball. Dobson looked sufficiently horrified. "Wait!" he exclaimed, holding a hand up and taking a long swig of his drink. "I'm sorry. Did you say you crushed his eyeball?"

I nodded.

"Huh. I just don't give you enough credit, Luce. Maybe you should come work with me." I searched his face for the sarcasm and was surprised to find nothing but an honest offer. There were a lot of reasons to say no. I landed on the gentle explanation that I had to keep helping the runaway Robes.

Dobson stared straight ahead. "Plus, him. Right?" He thrust his chin at Griffin, who was taking on Misty and Rocco in the bean bag toss. His partner was some guy I didn't know. He was so handsome when he was trash talking. I searched quickly for Sophie and seeing her safe and sound, was able to focus on Dobson again. He was continuing, "I heard you two are a thing now."

"A thing? I don't really know what that means, but yeah. I guess we're a thing."

"Well. That's that then." Now Dobson drained his cup and stared at the ground. I was a little shaken at his disappointment. He was Dobson for heaven's sake. He didn't have gushy feelings. Certainly not toward me, anyway. I squeezed his arm and he gave me a wink.

"Hey," I really wanted to change the subject, "what do you know about Griffin being in jail?"

He blew out a puff of air. "That was a brutal time. That girl. What a piece of work. She was a liar through and through. I was there every time Griff hung out with my crew and he never even looked slantwise at her."

"So who was the dad, really?" I was overstepping my bounds, no doubt, but I couldn't stop the words.

"Luce. I don't know. There's speculation, but I can't say for sure, so I shouldn't say anything at all. Right?"

"Do you speculate Gordo?" I saw him now, handing Soph a plate of food. I knew the look on his face. It was the same one I'd seen on Griff. It about did me in. Soph was not in a position to be looked at like that. By anyone, especially somebody who had a kid floating around somewhere.

"Gordo?" Dobson widened his eyes. Had the thought really never occurred to him before? "No, I never ever speculated Gordo. Gordo's more straight-laced than he'd have you believe, Luce. He most definitely did not impregnate that girl. I'm one hundred percent sure nobody but Griff and I know she got pregnant. And Sam." He said Griff's dad's name like a curse word, which I fully appreciated. "Gordo slipped off like he does before she made the announcement, and didn't come back until Griff was almost out of jail. Gordo's not perfect, but he wouldn't do that to his brother."

"You guys! Quit being so lame! This is supposed to be a party!" Misty ran over and pulled me up off the chair. "It's time to dance!"