‘Did you at least win, dipshit?’ There’s my sister. She could be such a bitch, but she really did care. After she said that she came over and pu...t her hand on my cheek and looked at the swelling red mark. Pulling me into a small, unexpected embrace. ‘Just glad you’re okay. Did you win, though?’ ‘We took down three of the guys but the teachers separated us all before we could fight the last guy.’ I chimed with laughter. ‘Well, you’re father will be home in a few hours, along with some cousins.. My Father had an annoyed look on his face.Good. I wanted to spend time with the rest of the family. Pissing off my Father was just a bonus.Harri and Sam gushed over their trip. Sam was excited by what he learned about the cooking. Harri was amazed at the sense of community, the many similarities to living on their commune.They replayed large portions of the trip and seemed as excited telling it as they must have been living it.The mood changed as Harri intertwined the fingers of her left hand. When I did, I saw her frown and give a barely perceptibleshake of the head. There seemed zero chance of having any conversation inhere that would not be overheard - or at least not right now. Sighinginwardly, I said out loud: "C'mon, lets gets some drinks out," and busiedmyself loading up a tray.When the guests arrived, there were two surprises. One was Miss Everettleading them in. But it was the other that really stopped me in mytracks.All the guests today were women.There were both. Can you be ready by eleven?”“I think so. I’m out for a walk and have to get permission from Mom and Dad. I’ll call you in half an hour. Okay?”“I’ll wait for your call. Please come with us!”“I will if I can,” I answered. I guess I didn’t sound enthusiastic enough.“Please?”“I will,” I said. “I’m on my way home now.”It was no problem with Mom and Dad. I didn’t even need to do a sales pitch. They expected that I’d do something with my friends on the holiday. Em was already out and Pey was going to.