Sister Mother

Chapter 8

Leo

I never once thought about how much teenagers text until one started blowing my phone up every waking hour of the day for the past two weeks. I asked for updates on how the McKenna's were doing, and Beatrice was happy to oblige. She told me that Addie and Gabe were back on their medicine and that they all visited their parents today.

Visiting the parents. That's something I rarely did and knew I had to do a better job of.

I was sitting in my truck drumming my fingers on the steering wheel. My phone buzzed.

Beatrice: We're back. Addie's @ work and Gabe is doing HW

Leo: How was it?

Beatrice: Mom and dad haven't changed for the worse or better. Addie almost bit my uncle's head off and Gabe went off on Addie bc she's killing herself.

Beatrice: But we're getting pizza for dinner. Whoop.

It was very hard to tell if she was being sarcastic or not.

Leo: I'm sorry to hear that. Anything I can do to help?

Beatrice: Either go back in time and cancel my parents' dinner reservation, cut the brakes of the driver's car or win the lottery for us so Addie can stop worrying.

Leo: I can't go back in time and I've never won the lottery, but if I could do either of them I'd do it to help your family out.

Beatrice: I know. Thanks for listening.

Leo: Anytime. Addie's working at the diner tonight, right?

Beatrice: Yup. She's going to be wicked tired after bc of her hips. She thinks G & I don't know she's hurting that much, but we know.

Leo: When she gets home, duct tape her to the couch and don't let her get up.

Beatrice: I'll put The Cat on her lap. What if she needs the bathroom?

Leo: Make her hold it. Her bladder can take a hit if it means her legs get a break. Don't let her do any important stuff after work

Beatrice: I just told Gabe to hide her laptop in his room.

Leo: Good idea. What kind of pizza are you getting?

Beatrice: Addie said Gabe and I could pick. I like anchovies, olives and pepperoni. Gabe likes mushrooms and Addie likes sausage and onions.

Beatrice: That's probably going to cost a lot of $$$ isn't it?

I thought for a moment. I shrugged.

Leo: Does the pizza place you guys go to have a website?

Beatrice: Yeah

Leo: Text me the link. I'll order it using my card and Addie's name if you pretend to call in front of your brother.

Beatrice: Gabe knows about u. I have a fat mouth. Won't she know something's up when they don't charge her card?

Leo: I don't think she'll complain about someone not charging her.

Beatrice: You're buying us pizza?

Leo: Anything else?

Beatrice: Breadsticks and garlic sauce.

Leo: Link please