Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 43

"I win," Link says as he flips the Monopoly game board over. We all sat on my living room floor, with the game board in the middle. I sat in between Grayon's legs as he watched us play.

"No, you don't," Marcus and Kyle say in unison.

Link moves his head backward as he says, "twin telepathy," then shivers and adds, "creepy." The twins glare at him, and he grins at them.

"This is the third time you flip the board," Gina says, yawning as she inspects her nails. "Even the twins aren't this childish and their children."

"Why do you hurt me," Link says as he puts a hand over his heart and falls backward.

"So, who won?" Matt says as he comes through the kitchen with Alex, both holding bowls of popcorn. Matt was still in his uniform since we had just come from watching his game. Matt had taken our team to victory as we all knew he would and now was our after-party celebration.

"Who's the best," my father yells as he emerges from the stairs with my mom behind him like a train.

"Matt, Matt," my mother chants. They both had the silver river colors painted on their faces in support. My father still had a foam finger, when he was cheering for Matt on the stance. I can see Matt get flustered and lean his head on Alex's shoulder, but it isn't long before they set down the popcorn and join the new conga line as they continue the chant. We watch as they stand up one by one until they all go around in a circle around the living room. I watch them for a moment, taking a mental image of this night. The room was filled with laughter, the smell of freshly made popcorn and brownies around, and my heart was filled with joy. I'm pulled up by Gina and smile at Grayson who stays sitting. I can imagine him doing the same thing I had done, wanting this moment to last forever.

We all sit back down, sighing in exhaustion. Matt fixed the Monopoly game board and looked at us. "Link flipped over the board again?"

"Link flipped over the board," I told him.

"I won," Link says.

"No you didn't," the twins instantly speak up. Link's eyes widen and takes a step back, shuddering.

"Still creepy." He looks at me, "How do you deal with their evil twin telepathy."

"We're not evil," they say again.

"Then stop doing that," Link argues.

"Mom," they yell.

"Ahh," Link yells again.

"Alright, everyone calm down now," my mom says. The twins huff and take a seat on the couch with their arms crossed, pouting. Link on the other hand rolls over Grayson and me to grab the popcorn from Matt's hand.

"Matt, should I send a copy of the video to your parents?" My father asks him.

Matt gets quiet and I can see Alex squeeze his hand in support, before nodding to him.

Grayson gets up and sits with my brothers on the couch, joining them in playing with their Nintendos. My father took a seat beside him, rewatching the game. I lean in a little closer to Matt and ask, "how are things going for you guys?"

"It seems to have finally hit them, everything, especially when I introduced them to Alex."

"They're trying," Alex says reassuringly and hugs Matt closer.

"I know," Matt says, "it just sucks."

"I'm sorry Matt," I tell him and give his hand a squeeze.

"No worries, we're taking it one day at a time. I didn't even tell them about this championship. They're going to be pissed. I just didn't want them worrying about the stares. That's what they worry about. How others perceive me."