Slice of life - 3/26/09 (Thursday)

Laurie, Matt and myself are all seated at the kitchen table, with Ander in my lap playing with the small train cars on the table. It is 8 p.m.

“Laurie, I know something happened here today and I want you to tell me what it was,” Shane says. He is standing at the end of the table with his arms crossed.

A knowing silence fills the room. We all know the truth. How long will she play chicken this time?

“I got up and Matt came over and I made some breakfast,” Laurie says.

“And?”

She takes a bite of her cinnamon bagel and cream cheese. Another long pause.

“And Matt and I started making out and got carried away.” She tries to sound factual and indignant, but it comes off weak.

Another long pause.

“And? I’m waiting,” Shane says.

I chime in, “I’d like to remind you, Laurie, that when the conversations start this way, we already know the truth and we’re waiting for you to tell us.”

She repeats, “I already said it, Matt and I started making out and got carried away.”

“Which led to….” I prompt

“Sex.” She says, then smirks.

“It’s not funny Laurie, “ Shane says. “You know that I’m against having anyone here when we’re not home and this is the exact reason why. And Matt, you know this too because I told you no one was to be here when Cathy or I wasn’t home. In the last few weeks, you’ve had Justin over. And Chris. And Matt. Since you can’t be trusted, you need to give me your house key. You need to leave the house by 7:15 in the morning and you’re welcome to come home when I get home after 4 or 5.”

Laurie begins to dig in her pocket as I prompt Shane, “And this will continue for how long?”

“Two weeks.”

She tosses her key to the edge of the table where Shane is standing. He takes it and removes the house key as I say, “And then we’ll try this dance again,” and look at Laurie.