Just a real short little chapter here. Exploring a little of Lynda and Bernard's relationship. Dialogue heavy, but I do believe this is the first bit you getto see the youngest and middle child interact together.
"You know, there's no way in hell, that Uncle Jesse won't be outed by Weathers."
"Bernie, you're sounding like dad. I hate it when you start sounding like dad." She stared blankly at him leaning against the doorframe.
"I'm not trying to be like dad, I'm just pointing out that if you ever plan on him meeting Uncle Jesse, he's going to recognize him. We are talking about your boyfriend Strip Weathers here; he did a report on him in school. Do you know how awkward it was to be in the same class as him for the rest of the year after that? And now he's dating my little sister. Do you really have to call me Bernie still?" He pushed himself off the wall.
"Yes I do." She crossed her arms. "What do you have against nicknames? You only ever call me Lynda, or are you still sore that Uncle Jesse called you Bernie? And you made it awkward yourself, bragging about dad like you did. That's not my fault. Speaking of dad, aren't you supposed to be meeting up with him today?"
"Yes, but he's going to be late anyway. He's back together with Karen." He crinkled his nose at the thought, and she did the same.
"I thought mom was taking you shopping for a dress to that racing event Aunt Emily is coming to? And I'll have you know, I have an aversion to nicknames unless it's dad and even then nowadays I'm not overly fond of it from him either."
"Ah ha. Nice to know he's late for his favourite child too. I don't want to hear about that. Mom was, but one of her girlfriends is having a midlife crisis or something, so I'm on my own for that. And you always wondered why Stephen and I think of Aunt Emily and Uncle Jesse as more of parents. If they set time aside for us they actually are on time and are there."
"Yeah, but for the most part we have to go to them, because Uncle Jesse doesn't like to travel a lot in case he gets recognized."
"You still don't like to admit how much our parents aren't that parent like?"
"They're still our parents, even if they don't act like it." He rolled his eyes like it was obvious, leaning against the wall again.
She shook her head. "Well as nice as it is to start arguing about our parents, again, I do need to go find a new dress, because mom will not allow me to show up in one I already have this time." She said gathering her coat and purse.
"And you want to impress Strip. I'm pretty sure you've already bagged him, he follows you around enough."
"Bernard! You're just awful, talking like that. You make it sound like I was after his social status or name."
"I'm just saying that one day, maybe not soon, but one day he's going to ask you to marry him. And dad will be a hard sell."