“Matthew,” Nikki chided me, “I must
protest your storytelling. While somewhat engaging, it seems as if you draw
your stories out unnecessarily. This story feels as if it’s been going on for a
year.”
I shrugged. “I can stop here.”
She glowered at me.
“Okay, where was I? Right, I told
Mikey about Paul trashing my hat and our feud.”
“I
don’t want her to be mad at me,” Mikey said slowly, not making eye contact.
“Yeah,
kinda sucks when you’re mad at each other, huh?”
“No.
She’s just a girl and her doll is stupid. Maybe. Wish she wouldn’t keep shoving
it in my face, though.”
“Like
I did to my brother with my hat.”
Mikey
didn’t say anything, but he raised his head enough to sneak a glance my way.
“You’re
a smart kid. What’s your next move?”
“Say
sorry, I guess.”
I
nodded, sagely. “That’s what my brother did, but he also got me a new hat.”
“I
have to get her a new doll?” He frowned at that.
I
understood that frown, too. It was the frown of a man with low means.
“I
don’t think it’s going to affect your allowance. I might have a cunning plan.”
“Really, Matthew?” Nikki looked at
me disapprovingly. “Quoting the Black Adder?”
“I admit, it’s not Chandler, but
he’s snarky enough to be worth quoting.”
“I suppose you are also quite fond
of Monty Python.”
“Ni!”
Nikki winced and rubbed at a spot
on her temple. “I should have expected you and your brother would engage in
such juvenile entertainment.”
“Ni!”