Free Love in the Time of Cynicism by Jani Berghuis

can’t bring myself to call Joel, jumps in here. “School for Rhett and his lovely female guest is in forty minutes, so don’t dilly dally. Tannis, you’ve got an hour. Sawyer, I’ll drive you in at eight thirty and pick you up three fifteen. Rhett, you’ve got an appointment at-”
    “Dad, I know ,” Rhett cuts him off with a concerned glance in my direction.
    I return with a questioning one.
    “That reminds me!” Susie stands up and runs over to a cabinet. I follow her with my eyes and Rhett slinks further and further into his chair.
    Worried, I glance at him and ask, “You okay?”
    “Yeah, it’s just-”
    At that moment Susie drops a small yellow and green pill in front of Rhett and ruffles his hair. 20 mg Prozac . This only makes me wonder about him more. The antidepressant plus the constant long sleeves forces me to some grisly, most likely incorrect assumptions about his past. Maybe someday we’ll be close enough I’ll have the lady balls to ask.
    The subject is changed almost instantly after Rhett swallows the pill.
    “So, Cordelia,” it’s Mr. Tressler, turning toward me, “Rhett told me your parents belong to the Country Club? And your dad works for the school?”
    “Step dad,” Rhett and I correct at the same time. We lock eyes for a moment and I smile.
    “Sorry, I didn’t know.”
    I stop Rhett from talking again by responding, “It’s fine. Michael’s the superintendent at the high school and mom’s what could only be described a professional housewife. Except she doesn’t fulfill any maternal duties on a regular basis.”
    “I see.” He nods modestly.
    Attempting to fill the suddenly awkward gap, I ask, “What do you guys do?”
    God, Cordelia, that is such a weird gold-digger thing to ask .
    Luckily they don’t see my internal monologue as Susie tells me, “Joel runs a radio show in the evenings and I work as a chef down in Dallas when I’m not at home caring for these rascals.” She affectionately runs her hair through either Evan or Ethan’s hair. Can’t remember which.
    Joel squeezes her hand and adds, “We’re both doing what we love, and that’s what matters.”
    Like an idiot, I reply, “I completely agree. I’d hate wasting my life on a job I can’t stand.”
    “That’s what we’re always telling Rhett. He thinks he’s got to get a practical job and make loads of money, but we think he should just do what he’s passionate about.”
    My eyes trail over Rhett’s inflamed face. Under his caramel skin, there’s a rosy tone of embarrassment and it’s making me smile all over. I keep my eyes on his as I ask, “And what exactly is that?”
    Mr. Tressler laughs heartily as Rhett’s obvious discomfort. “I don’t think he’d appreciate me telling-”
    “Poetry!” Tannis erupts in laughter. “Rhett writes super sappy poetry about his raw teen emotions .”
    “Really?” I laugh as everyone else does, caught up in an honest moment. Something wells inside me at the thought of spending evenings or mornings or any time with these people who actually have fun and care about one another. With parents who are in love and siblings who tease. Sitting alone in my kitchen tonight for dinner is going to pale in comparison. “Your raw teen emotions?”
    “Doubtlessly,” Rhett chuckles and runs a hand through his still messy hair. “I’m a very emotional person, Cordelia Kane, as I’m sure you’ll soon figure out.”
    Jesus Christ on a cracker, he winks at me. With those fantastic golden eyes aglow with flirtation. I bite my lip, unsure of how to respond as my stomach flutters, until he breaks into an open grin.
    Tannis pretends to gag and the other siblings groan.
    Susie chides, “No mushy talk at the table, youngsters.”
    Her husband cracks up and nudges her on the shoulder like they’re two teenagers in love. I’d like to fall so hard for someone we’re still teasing each other after five kids and twenty years. Rhett’s gaze shifts to me as he gives me