Brad

Brad. Your one o’clock is here. A chat window comes up on my screen.

I open my email calendar and see that I have no appointments today. Confused, I scoot my chair back and stand. I smooth my jeans out and pocket my phone as I walk to reception. I see no one in the waiting area and approach the desk.

“Hey, funny joke. Was that my reminder that I needed to move? You know, I could get a Fitbit and it would do the same thing.” I smile at the receptionist.

“Funny, funny, har har. Your meeting is sitting in the conference room. I didn’t see anything on the schedule, but I know how absent-minded some of you techies can be,” she says. By her tone, she’s clearly bored and she never takes her eyes from the magazine in her hand.

I walk over to the doorway to the room and peek my head inside. There are four people in the room, two male and two female.

Why are the four of them here?

Is this a four-person fuck you?

A Maddox Family middle finger?

I clear my throat and approach the table and sit down. My palms are sweaty and my heart is hammering in my chest.

“Hey, guys. So, uh, what can I do for you?” I nervously ask.

“Software development? That’s different.” Tyson says, splaying his hands out, motioning around the space.

“You’ve never mentioned software as something you were into.” Jacob adds.

“It was initially just something to keep me busy.” I shrug. I look to Allie and Beth and they both offer me a smile.

“So, what brings you guys here?” I repeat.

“We wanted to come by and see what our brother does for a living. He’s no longer a part of Mad Designs, so we’re poking around.”

“You called me your brother.” Honestly, I didn’t hear a word they said after brother.

“Turns out you weren’t lying,” Jacob says dryly. “For once.”

Beth elbows him in the ribs and he winces.

“We haven’t completely forgiven you, but we’re trying to,” Tyson explains. “We checked in with the lawyers and it turns out that Dad had a whole shit-ton of skeletons in his closet. He kept some journals that were given to us in the event we found out about you being who you are. It explained a lot, which makes sense and doesn’t at the same time. So, we kind of understand why you kept that secret from us.”

“You’ve done some fucked up things, but Beth was right: you’ve paid for it all. So, we’re extending an invitation for you to – I don’t know – join us for dinner?” Jacob asks, running his hand through his hair. Beth grasps to his other hand and smiles as he speaks. I see her squeeze his fingers as he looks her way.

“Dinner?” I finally say.

“Dinner.” Beth and Allie repeat in unison.

“Sure. When?” I ask nervously.

“Friday night?” Jacob looks to Beth for confirmation.

“Sure. I’ll be there.”

“Great.” Everyone stands.

“Can I bring a date?” I ask.

“Not if it’s Candy.” Jacob immediately says.

Both Beth and Allie hit nudge from both sides.

“Ow. What? It’s definitely a legit no if you want to bring Candy,” Jacob mutters.

“It’s my girlfriend, Mika, actually. If not, I understand.”

“No, we would love to have her over and meet her,” Beth says with a smile, as everyone exits the room.

Tyson and Jacob both extend their hands out and I eagerly take their hands to shake. As they leave, I stand there in the waiting area like a fool watching them walk to their car outside and drive off.

“No matter how long you stare, it still won’t bring them back. Who were those beautiful people?” the receptionist asks.

“My family,” I say quietly.

“Huh,” she grunts in acknowledgement, and then looks me up and down. “I can see that. They dress nicer than you, though.”

I blow out what seems like the first breath since I walked into that conference room and head back to my desk. I pull out my phone and type a message to Mika.

Me: We have dinner plans Friday night.

I see the bubble appear on my screen. Moments later her message pops up.

Mika: Um, I have Jared. Is this a date or something he can come to?

Fuck! I didn’t think about that. It’s probably too much to ask to add one more to the dinner plans.

Me: Maddox Family Dinner.

Mika: WHAT? R U 4 REAL?

Me: They surprised me at my office and just left.

Mika: Gimme a sec. Let me ask my parents to watch him.

I’m staring intently at my phone, willing her to respond. A moment later, my phone buzzes in my hand.

Mika: As long as it’s not a really late night, my parents will hang out with Jared.

Me: You are amazing.

I don’t think she understands the enormity of her agreeing to come to dinner with me. I’m terrified that the dinner will be horrible, but I know that as long as she’s beside me, I will be fine.

Mika

Holy shit on a stick! What the hell am I supposed to wear to meet Jacob and Tyson Maddox? I mean, they are celebrities. I don’t have anything that resembles something their fashion line makes. Being in the same room with them when they are fashion, will make anything I wear look like a trash bag.

I have Target clothes and scrubs. Lots of scrubs.

I don’t think it would be acceptable to show up in either, but looking at my closet, I don’t have a lot of options. Brad walks into my bedroom with Jared behind him. The two of them plop down on my bed and watch me as I stare at my closet.

“Mom, why do you look sad?” Jared inquires.

“I’m not sad, Jare. I’m just not sure what to wear tonight,” I say honestly, looking to Brad for some direction.

“Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. This isn’t a dog and pony show. I’m not dressing up.”

“I want to see a dog and pony show. No fair!” Jared pouts, crossing his arms over his tiny chest and sticking his bottom lip out.

Brad pulls at Jared’s lip playfully. “One day, when you’re older, we’ll go to a dog and pony show.”

“I’ll be older in one minute. Then we can discuss,” Jared proclaims proudly.

I laugh and turn back towards my closet while shaking my head.

“Seriously. What do you wear to these kinds of things?” I stomp my feet.

“Clothes. People tend to wear clothes when they eat dinner with others,” Brad deadpans.

“High five!” Jared says, holding his hand up, eagerly waiting for Brad to slap it with his.

“I mean, we’re eating dinner with people who own a fashion line. A fashion line, Brad! That’s some serious shit!”

“Potty mouth.” Jared points at me.

“Look, the girls are down to earth. They only dress up if it’s an event. Jacob may seem all proper, but he’s comfortable in sweats. Tyson is the only one who doesn’t seem to ever dress down. I’m wearing what I’ve got on plus a blazer. Wear whatever you want. You can wear a potato sack and I’ll be fine with it. This dinner is not to impress anyone; it’s a reconciliation – I think.”

I turn and notice the nerves radiating off him.

“I’m sorry. I’m making this about me, when this whole night is for you.”

“Is it your birthday?” Jared asks, looking up at Brad.

“No buddy. Just dinner with my brothers.”

“You have brothers? I WANT BROTHERS!” Jared exclaims.

I roll my eyes, turn back around to the closet and pick out a fuchsia dress and a black cardigan. I throw it on my bed and usher the guys out of my room.

I dress quickly, add some blush and lip gloss – that’s as much makeup as I’m willing to fuss with – and go downstairs. I hear the voices of my parents and suddenly realize I didn’t give any warning to Brad or them. This is the first meeting. How could I have let that slip from my mind?

Entering the kitchen, I find Brad leaning against the counter, while my mother leans toward him. My father is sitting at the dinette talking to Jared, oblivious to my mom’s flirting. I stand just inside the kitchen. Brad notices me first; his eyes light up as he stands straight. My mother’s head turns, then her whole body as she opens up her arms.

“Oh honey, you didn’t tell me you were dating such a wonderful fella,” she says into my hair as we embrace.

“Sorry, it just slipped my mind. A lot has been going on,” I say quietly. My mom holds me at arm’s length and smiles a knowing smile.

“Reed filled us in. I’m sorry, dear,” my mother says, palming my cheek and trying to not look too concerned.

“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay,” I say quietly. I’m not sure if I’m telling her that or telling myself that.

My mother releases me, claps her hands and says to the room, “Now, back to this beautiful man you have in your home.” She turns to Jared, “Why has it been so long since I’ve seen my grandson?”