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“It’s something to do when people… spend time together?” El says with hesitation, clutching the purple and pink card to her chest.
“Uh hang out?” Jonathan guesses.
Will is watching the exchange with rapt attention, eyes bright with competition. Good on you, little bro. You can be competitive enough for the both of us.
“No,” says El, little face full of dismay.
“You’re doing great, sweetie,” Joyce encourages, laying down a plate of snacks. Entirely too many veggies for Argyle’s liking. “No one gets it on the first hint.”
“Okay,” she takes a fortifying breath, fingers tracing the words on her card. “Married people?”
Jonathan hesitates, eyes flickering to his mother who is plumping a pillow, diligently straightening the living room.
“Partner?” Jonathan queries safely.
“No…”
Argyle reaches for a piece of broccoli, dabbing it liberally in the ranch dressing in a small bowl.
“Like… Mike and I are…” she trails off.
“Dating!” Jonathan snaps his fingers.
Will inspects the little hourglass intently, watching the sand slip between the two plastic tubes.
“Almost! Like you and Argyle.”
Argyle chokes on his broccoli, eyes watering violently as he coughs.
“Time,” Will pipes up quietly.
“Uh,” Jonathan is looking at him curiously, a faint pink to his cheeks. “What was the word, El?”
“It was ‘couple’,” she turns the little card so they can all see. So it is.
El looks disappointed, her brown eyes soft with faint sadness.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s probably my fault for not guessing,” Jonathan reassures her.
Will draws a new card, examining it hard then looking up at Argyle, waiting for him to get his hacking under control. Suddenly, a glass of water appears in front of his face. He looks up, accepting the glass from Joyce. She looks amused, a smile tugging at her lips, eyes full of mirth. He drinks the water, meeting Jonathan’s tentative stare when he finishes it.
“You ready?” Will asks.
“Uh yeah,” Argyle replies. “I’m ready for anything.”
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