Mind Games

“Why is that surprising? I’m a grammie.”

“My mom loves Bray—she loves all her grandchildren, and it shows. But this? This wouldn’t have been her idea of fun.”

“Well, like another song says, different strokes for different folks.”

“And so on,” he added, “and so on.”

On a laugh, she sang, “And scooby dooby dooby. All right, daddy of the birthday boy, it looks like you’re about cleared up here.”

“Close enough. I’m going to break out the adult beverages.”

“I wouldn’t mind one before I have Rem take me home.”

When they all sat on the porch, Lucy raised her glass. “To the birthday boy, and his very good daddy.”

“I’ll add friends to that,” Ty said, “who know how to throw a hell of a kid bash.”

“Here’s to all of us.” Rem took a pull of his beer. “Good times. Halloween’s just around the corner. You could throw a spook party.”

“Don’t make me hurt you.”

Undeterred, Rem shifted to Thea. “Remember how Mom and Dad went all out for it? Weird lights, really wild jack-o’-lanterns, spooky music. They even got a fog machine—big hit. They’d dress up, too.”

“Gomez and Morticia—that was my favorite. They’d have candy, of course, but they’d set up a buffet table. Eyeballs, severed fingers, fresh blood punch.”

“Good times,” he said again. “They do a trick-or-treat night in town, all along Front Street.”

“I could handle that.” Ty looked over as Bray sat up, stared blindly. “We could handle that. We could do that.”

Bray staggered over, very much like that barroom drunk, and crawled into Ty’s lap.

“I’m hungry.”

“How is that possible?”

“I’m five!” He held up a hand, studied it as he snuggled in. “Can we have pizza? Grammie stays, and Thea and Rem, too. And more cake.”

“Sounds like a plan. If you’re all in, I’ll go order some.”

“Since it’s somebody’s birthday, we can do even better. How about I make pizza?”

Bray smiled at Lucy. “You take it out of the box and put it in the oven.”

“Even better than that. Rem, why don’t you run on down to the house. You know what I need.”

“I’ve got everything, Grammie. I’ll go get it.” Thea rose. “My place is closer.”

“Take my truck, keys are in it.” Rem winked at Bray. “You’re in for a major treat now. Grammie’s pizza’s the best. And I’ve got time for a couple slices before I take off.”

“Like an airplane?”

“Like a man who’s got a hot date.”

“What’s a hot date?”

“Keep digging,” Ty murmured.

“It’s when I take a pretty woman to the movies.”