Step Brothers

Part Five

“So Luke, how was your first day on the job?”

Looking up in surprise, my mouth filled with food I glanced across the table to where Carl was watching me expectantly.

“Good.” I mumbled, spraying chewed up food all over the table cloth.

“Luke!” Mom chided.

“Sorry.” I muttered.

Rolling her eyes Mom turned to Calum, “How about you Cal, how was your day?”

“I had a wonderful day.” Calum replied sweetly, waiting until my Mom turned away before poking a hole in his roll and going to town on the thing with his tongue.

Disgusted, I opened my mouth to call him on his crap, however before I could get the chance Carl spoke again.

“How’s the band going Cal?”

Setting his bread down on his plate Calum turned to his dad, “It’s going great.”

“Have you find anyone else to join in or is it just you and that strange boy with colorful hair.”

“He’s not strange.” Calum spat.

“I didn’t know you had a band Calum!” Mom said conversationally.

“Yeah,” Calum replied with a smirk, “I play the bass. We’re kind of a big deal.”

“I had no idea you were musical!” Mom gushed, “Luke plays as well.”

“Mom!” I hissed.

“What do you play Luke?” Calum asked pleasantly, turning to look at me, “The triangle?”

“No.” I snapped, “I don’t actually play all that much.”

“Oh Luke don’t be modest.” Mom laughed, “He’s quite the musician, he has won several competitions.”

“Mom.” I warned.

“What do you play son?” Carl questioned.

“I don’t play anymore.” I grumbled.

“Luke,” Mom sighed, “You’re too modest, you’re very good.”

“What does he play….. Mom?” Calum asked innocently.

“Luke plays the violin.” She answered.

A cat like smile tugged at the corners of Calum’s lips.

“You play the violin?”

“No.”

“Yes,” Mom said, giving me a weird look, “He’s been playing since he was eight.”

“Oh wow.” Carl said, “That’s impressive.”

“Very impressive.” Calum taunted, “No, the violin…. That’s the little wooden instrument little girls play with a stick right?”

“Calum.” Carl chided.

“What?” Calum asked innocently.

“Luke used to be the first chair in his school orchestra.” Mom said proudly.

“Wow.” Calum breathed clapping, “First chair.”

My blood pressure rising, I dug my nails into the palms of my hands trying to keep my cool.

“He also plays at the local senior center every Christmas.” Mom continued.

“That’s very nice of you Luke.” Carl praised.

“Tell me?” Calum said, taking a bite of bread, “Does the old fiddle, get the females flocking. I mean Classical music is such a chick magnet, you must get the girls swooning.”