Chapter 5

“Hey, baby bro. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Jesse replied. He could hear his three-year-old nephew, Jorge, chattering in the background. The shrill wails of Jorge’s one year old sister, Kayla, echoed as well.

“Nah, it’s fine,” Jeanette said calmly. “Jorge, no, don’t eat that. Anyway, I wanted to know if you’re around this weekend? David and I were thinking about bringing the kids down for lunch.”

“Yeah, that works. And of course I’m around, where else would I be?”

A disapproving hum came through the phone. Jesse sighed, knowing what was going to come next.

“About that,” Jeanette began, but Jesse cut her off.

“Don’t even start,” he warned. “I’ve heard it too many times.”

“Clearly not, ‘cause you’re still hiding away in an old lady beach house.”

Jesse groaned in frustration. “I’m not hiding, I’m working. And I don’t remember you complaining when I set aside Tia’scuckoo clock for you.”