Page 40 of Three Not-So-Little Words (The Lawson’s #3)

forty

I think with my Metaphorical Dick

Ronnie

" S mile!” My sister, Michelle, says while holding up her phone.

"What the hell are you doing?" I ask.

"I think this needs to be documented." She looks at what she just snapped.

"What are you talking about?"

“Veronica Lawson is out shopping for stuff to decorate the bedroom…of her boyfriend's son. I never thought I would see the day."

"You're being awfully dramatic."

"I'm really not. This is brand new territory for you.” She holds up her phone. "Why do you look like such a sour puss?"

"Maybe because my sister is a smartass."

“Oh, don't be cranky. You know I love you. And I'm proud of you."

I sigh. "While I get the sentiment, it's just getting old hearing it from everyone. I'm trying to be calm and cool, but it's hard when everyone is busting my balls."

"You're right. I'm sorry.”

"It's okay." I tell her. "I know it's weird. Anyway, I brought you along to help me pick out some stuff. You had a six-year-old once."

She laughs. "Yeah. Quite a while ago. And mine was a girl, not a boy."

"Eh, how different can they really be?” I ask.

"Well, you’re a girl…how much are you like a guy?" She asks.

I shrug "I like to drink. I like to fuck. And more often than not, I think with my metaphorical dick."

She purses her lips together. "You're a terrible example."

I hold up two Spiderman wall decorations. "Which one of these do you think would look better?"

She looks back and forth between the two of them. "Uhm..."

"You're right. It's impossible to choose. We'll get both."

“Man, you're really going all out for this kid."

"I'm invading his space by staying there. It's the least I can do.”

"Fair enough."

“If I'm being honest, I'm also doing it for a little bit of selfish reasons."

“Oh?”

"Colton's been too scared to sleep in his room, so I've been riding the couch. I don't mind, but Drew feels so bad he's barely getting any sleep." I feel the need to add, "Plus, it would be great to be able to fuck in bed.”

"At this point, I would settle for fucking anywhere.”

"How long has it been?" l ask.

"Trust me, you don't want to know the answer."

"Yikes.”

"Yeah, I'm starting to give up hope that I'll ever find someone decent to settle down with."

I scrunch up my face. "Why does it have to be someone to settle down with? Why can't you just find someone to rattle your cage?"

"I don't know. I'm just tired of all the games. Like I said at the wedding, I'm ready for my prince charming, but I’m giving up hope."

Out of all of the Lawson siblings, Michelle has always been the most romantic.

She always wanted to have her life be a fairytale.

That's why when some boy in high school promised her the world and endless love, she believed him.

He took everything back the moment the pregnancy test turned positive.

She was devastated. Ever since then, she has been searching for something wonderful.

I could give her shit for it, but I won't. Michelle has spent her life making sacrifices and being an awesome mom. If anyone deserves to be happy and in love, it's her.

Seeing a certain sadness in her eyes, I say, “Come on. Let's take a break from shopping. I'll buy you a cup of coffee"

We find a cute coffee shop around the corner and each order a latte and a scone.

"How are things going?" I ask her.

"Okay, I guess. I'm raising a teenager, so that's fun."

“Is Eve still messing around with that boy?"

“No. Thank God- I think her talk with you, coupled with the fact that he had sex with her friend was enough to make her lose interest."

?"What a little prick.”

She stares down at her cup.

“Michelle, What's wrong? That sounds like a win."

She waits a moment before answering. "I had been telling her for months to stay away from Mikey. She has one conversation with you, and it sinks in."

"To be fair, I think Mikey and his bad decisions had more to do with it than I did."

"And instead of coming home, she went straight to you.”

Confused, I ask, "Wait a second, are you mad at me?"

She lets out another loud sigh. "No. I appreciate the fact that you are there for her when she needs you”

“Alright, sis. You're sending me very mixed signals here. I don't have kids, so you're going to have to spell it out for me a little."

"It's always just been the two of us - Eve and I were best friends. Now, I feel like she does nothing but shut me out"

I nod. "Ah, I got you. Michelle, she's a teenager. That's pretty par for the course. Did you want to tell everything to our mom when we were kids?"

"No, but my relationship with Mom was way different than mine with Eve. And I don't want Eve to turn out like me. I don't want her to have a baby as a teenager."

"I don't think you have to worry about that."

"God, I hope not. I'm too young to be a grandma "

She gets lost in her thoughts for a moment before changing the subject.

“So, things are good with you and Drew?"

"Yeah, I think so. I'm trying not to jump into anything too quickly, so I don't get spooked."

"Is that why you're redecorating his kid's room? Because you're taking things slow?" She winks.

I know she has a point.

But I don't give a shit. I'm going to do it anyway.