Starting From the Top (Starting from 5)

I pointed at his bleak bank account and pulled a “yikes” face when he drew a card that sent him to jail. Again.

“Tough luck, man,” I commented ruefully.

“It’s okay, Daddy. You might win next game.” Penny beamed.

The kid was sitting pretty with a stack of five-hundreds and was in the midst of taking over a couple of Parker’s holdings. He didn’t seem as bummed about his eminent doom as his dad, though. I had a notion that he was slightly entranced at the idea of his father not being good at something. It looked like my evil plan was working. Until…

“Next game?” Sean croaked, folding his arms over his chest as he slouched in his chair.

“Yes. We don’t have school tomorrow, so we can stay up. I’m not even tired,” Penny assured him.

Poor Sean. I patted his knee under the table sympathetically. “How about a different game?”

“How about a movie?” Sean suggested.

“Okay, but I get to choose since I won.” Penny neatly gathered her properties and money and reached for Parker’s.

He shielded his side of the board and shook his head. “You didn’t win. The game isn’t over.”

It wasn’t? I widened my eyes in disbelief. “Parker, it’s not looking good for the rest of us. She won.”

“Technically, she’s ahead now, but that could change. And I’m not watching another ice princess movie,” he declared heatedly.

What ensued was a small lesson on why I’d probably never be a parent. The siblings bickered about winning, losing, who always went first, who was a bigger jerk…you get the picture. Sean placated, then got frustrated when the argument escalated, and Penny burst into tears. He glanced my way with a heavy sigh, looking so damn defeated, apologetic, and miserable. And just like that…a lightbulb went on.

Sean wasn’t embarrassed or upset that his squabbling kids were giving an outsider a front-row seat to their dysfunction. No, he was overwhelmed. He was a problem-solver who’d lapsed into the role of pleaser to keep his family happy. When it came to business, he played to win, but here…he was terrified to lose. He’d admitted it to me once. It wasn’t that I’d doubted him; however, witnessing his distress over what ultimately was no big freaking deal was enlightening.

In spite of my lack of experience, the solution seemed obvious. If he wasn’t going to step up, I would.

“Cool it,” I barked, softening my sharp tone with a smile. “When you fight, you forfeit. I think those are sports rules, but don’t quote me. The logical choice is for me to decide what we play or watch next.”

“Why you?” Penny wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and glared at her brother.

“I’m the guest.”

“But I won.”

“Congratulations. It was—”

“You always win, and you always get your way. I’m not playing. This is stupid.” Parker tossed his game piece on the board and stormed out of the room.

Penny burst into a new round of hysterics and Lullah joined in, whining, then howling in sympathy.

Sean cast an impotent look their way before meeting my gaze. “Welcome to my real life.”

Oh.

So, it turns out that real life isn’t easy, and problems don’t get solved sitcom-style with a word of wisdom from a well-meaning outsider. People get mad, hurt, and frustrated, then retreat to their corners and try again later…or the next day.

I didn’t know if there was a process to handling family drama or if there were any rules of procedure. I’d petted Lullah while Sean calmed Penny down with a coloring book and attempted to talk to Parker. That was when I left. Since I was basically the guy who’d stoked the fire, my instincts were to lay low with my fingers crossed, hoping I hadn’t done any irreparable damage.

My cat wound herself between my legs in greeting when I got home then disappeared, leaving me alone in my near-empty house feeling lonelier than I had in a long time.

I texted him before I went to bed. Just a simple, Is everything okay?

He replied ten minutes later, Yes. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

I stared at the message, raking my teeth over my bottom lip till it actually hurt. I typed and deleted another note, rewording it a second and third time. Eventually, I gave up and pressed Call.

Sean answered on the first ring. “Hey, are you okay?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing. I’m really sorry about tonight. I shouldn’t have interfered. I don’t know what I was thinking. How can I fix it?” I blabbered.

“Fix what?”

“Your house! I started a fire, then ran out of the burning building and left you to deal with everything. I feel terrible.”

Silence filled the line. My stomach sank with dread as I pulled the duvet over me. I opened my mouth to say fuck knows what when Sean chuckled.

“You have a flair for drama. Good to know,” he teased, adding, “There’s no reason for you to feel bad, baby. None at all. I’m the one who should apologize. We weren’t on our best behavior tonight. We’ll do better next time. I promise.”