Софи Келли - A Night's Tail

“So they got book names,” Ethan said.

I nodded. That was true, for the most part. I didn’t add that Hercules was actually named for the particular incarnation of the Roman god on the cheesy nineties’ TV show Hercules: The Legendary Journeys . I knew I’d never hear the end of it if Ethan had that piece of information.

Once the kitchen had been cleaned, Ethan and Milo decided to drive over to Red Wing to check out a club. “My turn to be the dee-dee,” Milo said.

“What’s a dee-dee?” I asked.

“Designated driver,” Ethan said over his shoulder. He turned and grinned at me. “Don’t worry, big sister. We won’t do anything irresponsible.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” I said, getting to my feet. I leaned in close to Milo. “I have bail money if you need it,” I stage-whispered.

They all laughed, all except Derek, who was sitting at the table seemingly lost in thought, humming quietly to himself.

“Dude, are you coming with us?” Ethan asked.

Derek didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure if he hadn’t heard Ethan or didn’t realize the question had been directed at him.

Ethan leaned over and waved a hand in front of his friend’s face. Derek started and looked at Ethan, giving his head a shake. “Umm, scrambled,” he said.

I could tell by the confused look in his eyes that he had no idea what he’d just been asked.

“I wasn’t asking about breakfast,” Ethan said. He and Milo were struggling not to laugh. And failing for the most part.

I caught Milo’s eye. “Forty-two,” I said.

He thought for a moment and then comprehension flashed across his face. He smiled, nodding. “Well, of course,” he said, holding out both hands.

Now it was Ethan’s turn to look confused. “Hey, some of us have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Milo said.

Ethan shrugged. “Sorry, I don’t get it.”

“Me neither,” Derek said.

“In the book, ‘forty-two’ is the answer to the ultimate question about life, the universe, everything,” I said.

“The only problem is no one knows what the question is,” Milo finished.

Ethan still looked lost. I got up, put my arms around his shoulders and gave him a sideways hug. “Read the book,” I said.

He stuck his tongue out at me, but I knew he would find the book.

“So you coming or what?” Ethan said to Derek.

Derek swiped a hand over his stubbled chin. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I really need to do a little more work on this song.”

Ethan and Milo exchanged a look. “Better find Derek’s fanny pack,” Milo said. He was leaning against the counter, surreptitiously—he seemed to think—dropping sardine crackers down to Owen and Hercules, who also seemed to think I didn’t know what was going on. Milo had also absentmindedly eaten two of the crackers himself. I was waiting to share that particular piece of information with him.

Milo looked at me. “Hey, Kathleen, if later on tonight you see Derek wandering along the street, make sure you steer him back to the place we’re staying or he could end up in, oh, I don’t know”—he looked around the kitchen as though he was trying to orient himself—“say, Michigan.”

“Driving here we almost did end up in Michigan,” Derek retorted. “Thanks to you and your cheapo GPS.” He smirked. “Turn left in two, two, two, two, two miles,” he mimicked a stilted robotic voice.

“There’s nothing wrong with your writing style, Derek,” I said, folding my hands on Ethan’s shoulder and resting my head on them. “It’s better than someone’s technique, which is to sit around unshaven in his tighty-whities, eating Cheetos and burping.”

Ethan twisted out of my grasp. “I do not sit around in my underwear burping when I’m writing a song,” he said, his voice indignant.

I held up my phone. “I beg to differ and I have the video to prove it.”

“There’s no way you have that video because Sara would never have given it to you.”

I gave an elaborately casual shrug. “I don’t mind showing you.”

Ethan’s mouth moved like he was tasting his words before he spoke them. “Fine,” he said. He held up a finger. “Once, once I might have been working on a song first thing in the morning before I had a chance to put on a pair of pants. One time, and certain people”—he glared at me—“never let you forget it.”

Milo made a face. “Man, I don’t care what your process is, but I could have gone for the rest of my life not knowing that you wear tighty-whities.”

The guys laughed and Ethan slung an arm around my shoulders. “You better sleep with one eye open, big sister, because I am going to get you for this.” He was grinning, too, so I knew he wasn’t angry with me. I also knew that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to get even. On the other hand, if anyone else even hinted at coming after me for any reason, real or imagined, my little brother was my fiercest defender.

For a moment my chest tightened, as though I’d pulled on a too-tight sweater. I’d missed this, Ethan and his friends, cooking, eating and teasing one another. Ethan razzing me about Bigfoot sightings on the phone wasn’t the same thing.

As if he could read my mind, he leaned over and dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m glad I’m here,” he said in a quiet voice.

I nodded. “Me too.”

Milo had run out of crackers, so both Owen and Hercules had disappeared. I was guessing Hercules had gone upstairs to prowl around in my closet while Owen was likely in the basement rooting in his catnip chicken stash.

“So what’s your plan for the morning?” I asked Ethan. He and Derek were teaching a one-day songwriting workshop at the St. James Hotel on Sunday.

“Can I get a ride down with you? Milo wants the van. He’s going to some flea market place Maggie told him about.” He smiled.

“Sure,” I said. “My meeting’s at nine.”

“Why so early and why on a Sunday?” He held up a hand. “Not that it’s too early for me. Derek and I need to get stuff set up.”

“There’s a quilt festival coming up. It’s mostly centered at the library but there will be a big product show and tea at the hotel. Things need to be moved back and forth. I have to go over the schedule and coordinate with Melanie, the hotel manager, and tomorrow morning is the only time we could make work for both of our schedules.”

“Yeah, Derek talked to her when he was getting this workshop set up. The whole thing was pretty much his idea.”

I glanced over at Derek, who was showing Milo something on his phone. “Well, since it’s keeping you around longer, I’m glad,” I said.

“You know, when Jake said he was going back to school I was afraid we were going to be screwed,” Ethan said, sliding the leather cord bracelet he wore up his arm. “But he was actually the one who suggested we at least hear Derek play. One time was all it took. Lucky for us he was looking to make some extra money. You heard him say his kid is headed to college in the fall.”

I nodded.

“Don’t get me wrong, Derek can rub people the wrong way sometimes and, yeah, there are lots of days I wish Jake was still with us, but I’ve learned a ton in the past couple of months. My guitar playing is better. So’s my songwriting.”

“I’m glad it worked out,” I said, “and I’m sure the two of you will be a big hit tomorrow.”

Ethan grinned. “You might be a little biased, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Marcus arrived just as the guys were leaving.

“Do I have time for a shower?” I heard Milo say.

“You don’t need to wash your hair,” Ethan replied. “It looks fine and it smells like a piña colada. You’re good.”