* * *
Geroge opened the driver’s side door of the convertible, taking a seat and throwing on Vertical Horizon’s “There and Back Again.” He looked over to his brother from another mother, watching Kody slumber the sweet sleep of the angels. He tapped on Kody’s head, tapping out the chorus to the introspective “Lines upon Your Face.”
“Dude, seriously, ya’ smell like ass. And I’m not talkin’ Burrito Bell ass, I’m talkin’ full-on happy hour buffet at Pancho’s House of Greasy Delights ass.”
He watched as Kody came to, looking around and needing a moment to remember where he was.
“What? Oh, sorry. Still haven’t gotten used to the food.”
“Yeah huh. Mini K’s doin’ well, just so ya’ know. Her b-day party went off without a hitch. Picked up a stuffed kitty for her, just like ya’ asked.” Geroge reclined his seat, throwing his boots up onto the dashboard. “But on to other news. Tell me brother man—what’s the deal with you and the lady gorgeous? Don’t see much lovin’ goin’ on.”
Geroge glanced through the windshield, watching as the sun began its retreat and catching Kody’s reflection in the glass. Kody sat rubbing his eyes, equal mix of waking up and being enamored with the same scene. Geroge spoke up.
“Ri—ght. I forgot in the drama land you come from everything’s about the latest happenings of your cock. Well, wanna hear a fun fact that ain’t about you?” Geroge paused. “Jeany’s pregnant.” Kody looked over Geroge, saying nothing. “Anyone in half the damn town could be that kid’s dad, but I got a feelin’. Don’t matter much if it’s me or not anyway. Still love the woman, still gonna love the little bastard.”
Geroge chuckled, rubbing his matted hair as he watched the horizon devour the sun. Kody offered him a hand, the two shaking on the news.
“G, that’s amazing, man! I mean, it’s amazing right?” Kody looked over, waiting for Geroge’s response. Geroge nodded. “Congrats, man.”
“Yeah, thanks. Just found out not too long ago myself, and I didn’t wanna tell ya over the phone. It’s scary man, it is. It’s gonna be hard, and I dunno if we can pull it off. But we’re gonna give it our best. The reason I’m tellin’ ya this though, other than because I didn’t really think it through, is because it got me thinkin’ about a lot of things.”
Geroge raised his pointer finger and stuck it in Kody’s face. “You, my friend, need to stop screwin’ around. I don’t give a shit if you decide to stick out with the princess or go back to your old fuck-buddy, but I’m tired of watchin’ these sweet young ladies gettin’ torn apart because of you. Neither one of these fine women deserve the shit you’re puttin’ ‘em through.”
“G—”
“That’s it brother, said my piece. The rest is on you. So get your shit together so we can go home and Jeany can stop cursin’ us both. Got a pregnant girlfriend to look after and you got a godchild to start preppin’ for. ‘Cause the last thing I want my future son or son-ette to learn is how to pimp from you.”
Kody looked over to Geroge, grinning.
“Oh, Jeany’s gotta be hatin’ me right now.”
“You and me both, brother. You and me both. So go, shoo! Fix your shit!”
Geroge waved his hands in Kody’s face, pushing him toward the car door. He kept pushing until Kody climbed out of the car and headed indoors. Finally getting a moment to himself, Geroge cranked the radio up and started rocking his head back and forth, practicing his air guitar to Four Star Mary.