As soon as Munch headed for the bus, he felt the clouds in his brain return. When the bus ride ended that man would be there and Mama would be giddy happy. It turned his stomach. Would his resolve hold when he saw that man? Would his resolve dissolve when he saw that man look at Mama with his big stupid goo goo eyes? His stomach turned again. He was never gonna make it through the next few hours, much less days without being pissy. He told himself, “One step at time, just one.” He couldn’t wrap up the week ahead of him in a single move. It was going to be a supreme exercise of tolerance for that man.

He saw Lolly waiting in line. She smiled at him but the smile was not as bright as he’d like it to be, as it usually was when her Pa was coming home. He knew what the trouble was and it was just weird how Trevor’s mom could infect so many people with her selfishness. This thought gave Munch pause. He didn’t want his selfishness to dampen any aspect of that man’s week at home. For three weeks the two people Munch loved most in the world, Lolly and Mama, had to live without that man. Munch doubled down on his determination to make a real effort to at least be civil to Trace Phelps. He might fail, but still he was going to try.

When he reached Lolly, she slid her arm through his and said, “Hey bud.”

“Hey yourself.” He knew, that she knew, how hard this was for him. Also, he suspected she was bracing herself for what might happen when they arrived home. Specifically, Munch knew she was worried about his behavior toward her pa. He and Lolly had gotten into a really bad fight when their parents were just dating. He had been horrible to Lolly, avoiding her and not talking to her at all, like it was her fault their parents had fallen in love. It had never been her fault. He had been such a dick, and it could have ended their friendship, if Lolly weren’t Lolly. She was fierce and had such a big heart. It was a heart he did not want to do damage to ever again, but he would. It was one of the cold hard realities of being stuffed in a human body with a human brain and a human heart.

They got onto the bus. It pulled out and headed for the Junior High. The bus stopped and Mrs. Anderson opened the door. Junior High kids filed on. Kevin was last, he took one look at Lolly and burst into sunshine and stars. Man that kid had it bad. Lolly was her usual kind self and waved at him. The way Kevin smiled back a body would have thought he’d just won the lottery, that is if they had a lottery in Texas, which they didn’t because of the Baptists. The bus pulled away without Max.

Munch asked, “Is Max sick or something?”

”No,” said Lolly. “Its his weekend with his dad.”

”Oh.” Since Max and Mitzi were with their dad, Grandma Toady would be at the house too and Munch would be stuck in the female love fest for Trace Phelps. He felt his shoulder’s slump in dread.

Just before they reached their stop, Lolly said, “Guess whose coming over tomorrow?”

Munch felt his heart leap in side his chest so hard it felt like he’d sprained it. Desperately, he tried to tamp it down. If she didn’t say the name he wanted to hear, he was going to be SO DISAPPOINTED. Purposefully, Lolly drew out a long pause. She was killing him!

A mischievous smile quirked her lips. The same mischief danced in her eyes. Slowly she said, “Grace.”

Dammit. He tried to shake off the disappointment, but it was not shake able.

“And, Tina.”

Good thing Max wasn’t going to be there. Munch managed to say, “That’s cool” His gaze drifted to the floor.

“And…uh, what’s that girl’s name?” Lolly took in a slow breath like she was actually trying to remember Lisa’s name. What a little turd. “Oh, yeah, her name is Thanh Ho.”

Munch nearly gave himself whiplash he turned his head so fast to look at Lolly. Her eyes were filled with such merriment that she had surprised him. He asked, “Really?”

“Yeah. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, Lisa is coming over too.”

This was really odd. Munch said, “But your pa is home. You don’t ever have anyone over when your pa is home.”

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“I know. But, things are real different now. I have to share him with more than Grandma Toady and ya know how that is. Besides, I want my friends to meet Pa. I want Pa to know my friends. The only ones he’s ever met is Trevor and he’s known you forever so you don’t really count.” She gave him the goofiest smile and then she punched him in the arm.

It hurt. He grabbed his arm and asked, “What was that for?”

“It was for not saying Thank You oh most Holy Goddess of Friendship for granting me my wish.”

He frowned at her and said, “Well, it took you long enough.”

Again she punched him. Her voice was stern, but her eyes were still filled with light “You are an ungrateful little turd.”

“Indeed I am my Sister!” Really, he just wanted to hug her so hard. A huge smile spread across his face. Lolly raised her fist again. She really didn’t know her own strength. He grabbed hold of it and said, “Don’t, and thank you.”

She pulled her fist free of his hand and said, “That is better. And you are welcome.”

The bus pulled up to their stop. As they got off Mrs. Anderson said, “Y’all have a good weekend.”

Lolly said, “Thanks and you too.”

Munch echoed her words. It might just be a good weekend after all. He followed Lolly down the steps. The doors closed behind them and the bus roared off. Outside the air had grown heavy. Storm clouds were forming in the west. Munch looked down the drive and saw Lolly’s pa’s truck. Lolly was walking so fast he couldn’t keep up wit her. As soon that man steeped out onto the porch, she took off at a run. That man’s entire face lit up when he saw her running. The gap between them closed and then she was in his arms. For a second he rocked her back and forth. A memory of being hugged by his daddy surfaced in Munch’s mind. He had always felt so safe in his daddy’s arms. By the time Munch reached the porch, the two broke apart. Over Lolly’s shoulder, that man’s eyes met Munch’s. This was the moment. Though it was hard, Munch managed to say, “Hello,” without sounding hostile.

By the expression on that man’s face, a body would have thought someone had just given him a Noble Prize. He said, “Hey Munch,” and smiled. This made Munch feel a little guilty. Before that man had started dating Mama, Munch had always liked him. Would he like him again? Maybe, maybe not. The important thing was that he had passed the first test of the week. There were gonna be so many tests in the days ahead.

They went inside. Fluff was perched on the counter watching Mama cook something that smelled like stew. It was really hard for Mama to abide raw meat, much less cook it. The things people did for love. She turned from the stove. The grin on her face was so complete and so happy. Mama got to be happy. She deserved to be happy. As these thoughts flitted through his brain, he was amazed at himself. Maybe he wasn’t such a spoiled brat after all. Maybe he might just survive this week.

*

Grandma Toady came over for supper with her famous Mac and Cheese. That man apparently loved Mac and Cheese. Everyone at the table who ate meat had struggled through Mama’s beef stew. By the way Grandma Toady, Lolly and that man chewed, the meat must be tough, real tough. Mama seemed a bit flustered and embarrassed, but she didn’t comment. Fortunately nobody lied and said it was good because it obviously wasn’t.

Talk swirled around the table. Munch mostly listened. It was hard to get a word in when the three female worshipers of Trace Phelps were entertaining him with stories of all that had happened during his absence. It was rather nauseating, no it was totally nauseating. If not for Thahn Ho’s note in his pocket he may have given into a fit of rudeness or at least a snide remark, but he kept it together.

Finally the meal was over. Grandma Toady, Lolly and that man all went into the living room to watch their Friday night shows. Mama and Munch headed upstairs. Once they were in the studio, Mama burst into tears.

Though Munch suspected these tears had something to do with the failed stew, he asked anyway, “Mama what is it?”

She burst out into full out snot crying. He took her in his arms and she pressed her snotty nose against his jacket. It was so gross. Now what was the remedy for removing bodily fluid from tweed? Again he asked, “What is it?”

“Its, its…I’m upset because he just got here and all I can think about is how awful it’s gonna be when he leaves again.”

Mama was taking a real risk at this moment. The words, “Well you should have thought about that before you married him,” hung in Munch’s mind but he did not say them. Instead he said, “Its okay Mama. He’s here now. Remember what Grandma Toady says about now.”

She nodded her head against his jacket.

“Can you just think about now?”

With a shake of her head she said, “I don’t think I can. Maybe if I go watch some TV it will get my mind off the stupid track its on.”

“Okay.” Munch looked at Mama’s face. It was going to be SO obvious that she had been crying. It was also SO obvious that what she wanted most was to be as close to that man as she could. Grandma Toady wouldn’t mind the company, but Lolly might. She was having her own struggles with sharing her dad.

Mama let go of him and gave him a peck on the cheek. As soon as she was down stairs, he yanked off his jacket and held it to the light. Oh GOD! Mama was wearing makeup and now it was smeared on the shoulder of his jacket. He pulled a book on stain removers from his book shelf. To remove a stain from tweed, he needed a damp sponge or a soft brush and mild soap. He took the jacket downstairs. As he passed the living room he saw all Mama and Lolly on the couch with THAT MAN squeezed between them. Grandma Toady, who was in the rocking chair looked highly amused, but Mama didn’t, she still looked sad. As for Lolly, she looked slightly pissed. Fun time with Trace Phelps! Yuck. Munch headed for the kitchen.