The Rebound Game

Fifteen

So Karen made an announcement today and depending on how you take it, it could either be good or bad news

My brother has always made it a mission to shy away from family drama and gossip. He is giving me the dirt, willingly. This is big.

She is finally getting a plastic surgery to fix her attitude? If so, this would be the highlight of my day.

To my delight, Alex is online and replies after a few seconds.

Oh sissy, always assuming the worst. She announced over dinner that they are expecting a baby.

What the actual fuck?

I bet she is bitchier than usual.

She has to be. I hear pregnancy hormones are no joke. I am just glad not to be the one living with them.

No she is n't. Come on be happy for dad at least. And Karen is not as bad as you and Annie want everyone to believe. She is currently helping me with college applications.

The traitor. I bet she will be helping him with college essays too.

Weird.

I get a call from Annie and I have never been so quick to swipe right.

"Have you heard?"

"That mom and Jess are setting you up for a glamorous job in Nakuru? No, I have not heard it from you."

Shit, how do I get out of this mess? Annie will side with mom that's for sure.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you about it. Scold me about it later, have you talked to dad or Alex?" I ask impatiently.

"No, why? Is there something I should know?" There is a hint of concern creeping in her tone.

"Well, it's about Karen. I strongly advise that you take a deep breath first." I must admit this is fun, making Annie wait. You can count on Annie and Shirley to react accordingly to news regardless of the time of the day. Whatever the reaction you are expecting, they never disappoint

"She is flying to Kenya with dad? That's not news. This reminds me that early this year, dad mentioned that they could spend one weekend of summer in Kenya. He has a few old friends in Zanzibar and might want us to tag along."

"I had forgotten about that. I don't think they will though, pregnant women don't like travel." It takes Anne about five seconds to fully process the news.

"Wait, Karen is pregnant?"

"Yes. I am surprised dad hasn't told you."

"Maybe he doesn't want to overwhelm me too soon. I have a wedding to plan and a mother in law to visit next weekend."

"I could accompany you for moral support," I jokingly suggest.

"Back to Karen. Let's get this straight, so she is pregnant and is even in a duller mood? Wow. How is your twin brother holding up?"

"Apparently they have become bffs. She is helping him with college applications. You recall that her rich parents influenced her admission to Yale, right?"

"Wait, what? Has someone taken over her body? She wouldn't even show me the guestroom herself the last time we visited. I could swear..."

I don't get to hear the rest of the statement. I try to call her back but she is offline. I figure she forgot to charge her phone. So typical of Annie.I shower, put an oversized T-Shirt and microwave popcorn. I watch a preview of Tera Nova and decide I am not too sleepy to watch a few episodes.