Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 119

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Second Chances in New Port Stephen - Chapter 119

Max broke through his reverie by tossing a box marked BED LINENS on the crispy winter grass
with more force than was necessary. “Why is it that I always seem to get assigned chores
related to you every time I have a winter break?” There was no animosity in Max’s tone, only
wry amusement.
Eli shrugged in apology. “In my defense, it’s happened a grand total of twice.” A change of
conversational topic was in order. “How are your photography classes going?”
“Fine.” Max had gotten a scholarship to a state school; the pros of saving money had
outweighed the cons of staying in Florida, but just barely. Eli had been Max’s sympathetic ear all
through the spring when Max was agonizing about the decision, taking calls between scenes on
set. “I can’t wait to use my art to further the corporate advertising machine.”
Eli patted Max’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit. Welcome to the club, sellout.”
Nick’s dad’s girlfriend, Mei-hua, came out of the house bearing a stack of disposable cups and a
huge thermos. Her dog, a shaky chihuahua named Noodle, followed close at her heels wearing

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a tiny pink hoodie. Mei-hua said something to Eli in Taiwanese that he couldn’t parse, so Nick
gave up his spot in the back of the truck to come over and translate.
“She says it’s chilly out; we need to drink something warm.” Nick literally had sweat on his brow,
but Eli wasn’t about to mention it.
He accepted his cup of what turned out to be hot water from Mei-hua with a smile. He was not
going to get on the bad side of his semi-father-in-law’s lady friend. Nick also took a cup and
sipped politely at Eli’s side. Together they surveyed the chaos of the lawn and the truck full of
dads and the assorted pieces of their lives being packed away by their families. Over on the
loading ramp, his dad and Hank were arguing about the safest place for a standing lamp. The
lamp itself looked dangerously close to shattering on the ground.
“Regretting anything?” Eli asked, putting his arm around Nick’s waist. “Wouldn’t blame you if
you did.” He drank more hot water.
“Nah.” Nick slung an arm around him. “I’d do it all over again.” He pressed a kiss to the top of
Eli’s head. “I already kind of did, but you know what I mean.”
Eli smiled to himself, privately pleased, then glanced up and saw the neighbor’s curtain
twitching. A memory flashed through his mind: that same neighbor spying last year around
Christmas Eve. He wondered what sort of picture they presented now with their hot waters and
their arms around each other and their chaotic family running around like manic ants.
Whatever it looked like, Eli loved it.
He lifted his cup in the neighbor’s direction. “If I wasn’t holding on to you and this water,” he
said out of the side of his mouth to Nick, “I’d be flipping the bird.”
Nick toasted with his own cup. “I think the message is the same, honestly.”
“Cheers to the snoop next door.”
“And a happy New Year.”

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