Page 67 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

“Fuck, this is awkward,” Bridget says.

Thanks, Bridge.

Patrick

Patrick looksover at Courtney and nudges his head toward a stand selling hot dogs and soft pretzels. He hands her some cash, and she nods and walks over.

“See, what … I … uh …” Wesley tries to explain himself.

On the one hand, I feel sorry for the brother, but on the other hand, wouldn’t it have made more sense to check in with Aimee?You know, make sure she’s not with anyone before making such a bold declaration?

“Wesley, it’s okay. Just go,” Aimee says.

“Okay, sorry. Bye.”

Patrick has never seen someone rush off so fast in his life. The secondhand embarrassment he’s feeling is cringe-worthy. He can’t imagine how Wesley feels. Hopefully, this didn’t put a damper on Courtney’s love for his books.

Patrick, Aimee, and Bridget just stand there for a minute. Bridget starts to chuckle.

“Bridge, it’s not funny,” Aimee whines.

“Yes, it is. Man, Lyric was right about you having that good good cause you got brothers begging you to take them back, left to right.” Bridget laughs some more.

Lyric wasn’t lying.

“Hush, Courtney’s coming back.” Aimee shushes Bridget.

Courtney returns. She offers Patrick a hot dog. He takes it while she nibbles on a pretzel.

“I see Mr. Trammell left,” Courtney observes.

“He did,” Patrick replies.

Everyone stands around quietly for a minute until Bridget says, “Aims, go get your stuff, and all of you stop being weird. It’s going to be okay. We’re all going to have a fun weekend and sell a lot of shit. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Patrick, Courtney, and Aimee reply at the same time.

“Sorry I cursed in front of you, sugar,” Bridget says to Courtney.

“Oh, right. Sorry. Courtney, this is my best friend, Bridget Nelson. Bridge, this is Courtney,” Aimee introduces them.

“Nice to finally meet you, Ms. Courtney.”

“You too, Ms. Nelson.”

“No, I’m Auntie Bridget.” Bridget smiles.

Courtney smiles back. “Okay.”

“Now, if you all will excuse me. I’m going to find my kids.”

“Tell LJ and Tanya to stop by my table.”

“If I can find them, but no worries. They’ll be at the panel.”

Aimee seems calmer.It’s clear she was not expecting Wesley’s reaction, how could she?How could any of us?It’s a good thing for all of us Bridget was here.