Pandora's Jar

13 - Break, Day One

Minna covered her face with her comforter.

Laila laughed and tugged it down. The light filtering through the window pierced straight into her blue eyes, and Minna covered her face with her arms.

"Wakey-wakey!" Cat cheered. "Eggs and bakey!"

Minna groaned. "Go 'way."

"You have the cutest Irish accent," Laila teased. "C'mon. Up. You need to pack, you're getting on a plane to New York at noon."

Minna groaned. "Why didn't I get a night flight?"

"Because your brother bought your tickets," Cat said. "Get up! You need to pack!"

Minna whined as she got out of bed. "I don'wanna get up."

Cat snorted. "Too bad, Minna. Up!"

Minna tugged on a Fox hoodie and shuffled out to the kitchen.

Jeremy was cooking pancakes and bacon (and eggs for Minna), and he turned around with a bright smile. "Hi!" he said. "Break!"

"Break," Minna agreed dully. "Kevin."

Jeremy's joy dulled. "You need to talk to him."

"I know."

Laila and Cat looked between them.

"I get the feeling we missed something," Laila said tentatively. "We don't need to know, but if you ever feel like telling us..."

Minna forced a smile. "Just a disagreement between siblings. Jeremy knows the feeling, so we talked about it."

Cat shrugged. "Okay. If you ever want to talk about it, you can always come to me. I grew up with a ton of cousins, so I know how it feels."

"Thanks, Cat," Minna said.

The four settled at the table and ate. Minna gave Jeremy a thumbs up across the table. He smiled brightly back.

•|⚜️|•

Minna gathered her luggage and dragged it outside to the cold of New York. She swore viciously as the cold bit into her hands and face.

"Nice language, Minna," an amused voice said behind her.

Minna turned sharply and grinned. "Matt!"

"Hey! I ordered an Uber here and back. C'mon. New York's a mess right now. Everyone's getting in. Kevin and the cousins back at Mom's."

Minna heaved her bags into the back and hopped into the car. "I'm excited to meet your mother, Matt. You always have such great things to say to her."

Matt smiled brightly. "Oh, you'll love her! Kevin told us that you got yourself some freedom."

Minna nodded. "Yeah. Fifty percent of my professional salary and keeping my mouth shut is the deal. It's nice. I don't have to deal with them anymore."

"And I saw some articles of last night. Apparently, you were quite foul toward some college athletes?"

"They were being foul toward me first," Minna shot back.

Matt laughed. "Classic, Minna. Classic."

She swatted him. "They were the ones demanding I sign something while I talked to a coach. Not my fault they have no manners."

Matt laughed again as the Uber driver pulled over. "Thanks, man. Have a nice evening."

"You too," the driver said. He popped the trunk for Minna to drag out her suitcase.

That done, the two walked inside and hopped in the elevator.

"Mom!" Matt yelled as he unlocked the apartment door. "It's us!"

A woman who nearly matched Matt's height (and Minna thought she was tall!) came rushing into the entryway. Nicky, Aaron, and Kevin followed.

"Minna!" Nicky bellowed. He tackled her in a hug.

"Hi!" Minna said brightly. It occurred to her that she was not this cheerful at the end of last year.

"I told you she would be happy," Nicky said to Aaron. "This is Randy! She's super nice and you'll love her!"

Minna held out her hand to shake Randy's, but the woman brushed it away and gave her a tight hug.

Minna squeaked and gave Kevin wide eyes over Randy's shoulder, but her brother just shrugged. Good Christ, he was no help.

Randy released Minna and squeezed her shoulder. "I hope you'll have fun in New York! Have you been up here before?"

"Um, not that I can recall," Minna mumbled "other than games and interviews."

Randy nodded solemnly. "Your brother said the same thing. Matt will make sure you kids have fun. Won't you, Matt?"

The junior smiled. "Of course, Mom. What's for dinner?"

Randy laughed. "Oh, Matt."

Minna felt a smile growing on her lips. Break would be fun, indeed.

•|⚜️|•

Still no Kevin talk... it's coming.