So Stephanie met up with Ranger a couple days later.
"What has he said about this competition?" Ranger asked.
"He's interested. I hope you two don't have another argument who gets me when this thing is over with."
"Why would we do that crazy thing to win a competition like that, Babe?"
For a long time, both Joe and Ranger would let this argument go for a long time until one of them wins something. She wouldn't let this happen again.
"Do you want to tell Joe I'm going to join the competition?"
"He'll figure it out for himself," Stephanie said, and then added, "I don't need to tell him anything."
"Makes sense. I even remember that one time you tried over and over to eat the sweet stuff you love."
"I'm not giving up on that either."
"It's not going to work anytime soon."
No matter how hard she's tried, he wouldn't listen to her on trying it.
As far as she knew, Joe wasn't doing much at the police station these days, so he has time on his hands for something fun. At least the good thing was, it's on the weekend.
Even Ranger didn't have a busy day, which was a good thing.
"Even if we do argue over you on Saturday, who would you pick?"
"Batman, we're not going through this again. I'm just tired of being in the middle between you both."
"Do you think he would bring that up at the bowling alley?"
"I hope not. The next time I talk with him again, I'll tell him the same thing you just heard."
It was true what Stephanie said – she was used to being in arguments with these guys, even though she grew up with Joe, Stephanie always chose Ranger over Joe.
"We are acting like children again, huh?" Stephanie asked.
Ranger had to agree.
"Isn't it mostly Joe who starts acting like one?"
"Yes. You both have worked with me for a long time enough not to act like that. It can be fun once in a while, but not all the time."
"I know what you mean, Babe. It will be a fun day hitting those pins."
Stephanie agreed with him.
"At least we're agreeing on something here without either of us starting any arguments," she told him.
Another thing they agreed.
"What's going on tonight?" Stephanie asked, trying to change the subject about arguing over something useless.
"Not sure. Probably watch some TV," was his answer.
"What's on tonight?"
He shrugged.
"No telling at the moment. I'll figure it out."
She nodded.
"I guess you're right."
Now they were almost finished with their conversation, she decided she'd figure out what to do when she gets back home.
But what could it be? She'll find out.
A minute later, they separated.
"Will talk to you again soon, Babe. Have a nice rest of your day."
"Same to you."
He was the first one to leave. She did the same thing.