Chapter Text
“And it’s not a problem for you to look after my boys?”
Karen smiled.
“We've raised three children, what’s two more? You just focus on your business trip.”
Joyce nodded and hugged Karen.
“Let me know if anything comes up.”
She hugged Jonathan and finally Will. Of course, they had been separated more often when Joyce or Jonathan had to work longer hours. But never had they been almost a two‑day car ride apart. Let alone across the country.
“And you take good care of him, yes, Jonathan?”
“Yeah, Mom… Nothing’s going to happen.”
Joyce nodded, though the sadness of saying goodbye was clearly visible on her face.
Despite that, she got into the car, waved out the window, and drove off.
“Two more boys, one of whom is dating our daughter… What could possibly go wrong.”
This remark earned Ted a hefty stomp on the foot from his wife.
“Hey, Will… you okay?”
Jonathan knocked on the door to Mike’s room and peeked inside, worried. Ever since Joyce had left them, Will had been like a different person. He had often had moments where he withdrew himself from everyone, but this time it was more strange, even for him.
“What? Yeah, no, everything’s fine.”
Will gave his brother a smile.
“Hey, what if we go watch a movie at the cinema? Like we used to?”
Jonathan couldn’t stand seeing his brother suffer like this. They didn’t have much, but Jonathan took his brother to the movies at least once a month or so whenever his salary allowed it and his camera didn’t need repairs.
“And what movie are we watching this time?”
“I was thinking… Sleeping Beauty? It’s not exactly an adventure movie… but Disney always works, right?”
Jonathan shrugged, which made Will grin.
“Okay, but if you cry, you owe me more popcorn!”
Fortunately, the cinema wasn’t too full. Most families were still on their well‑deserved summer vacation, while others were still busy burying their dead… or the leftover goo from them…
When Jonathan handed him the tickets for inspection, he headed to the snack counter to order their usual menu. A Coke, a Sprite, and one sweet and one salty popcorn each. They loved switching when one of them had enough of their own and needed a change.
“Tickets, please… Oh, Sleeping Beauty. Excellent choice. Mary Costa’s singing truly befits a princess.”
The usher smiled. Will smiled back. He knew him from pep rallies and from Lucas’s basketball training sessions, where he had been preparing for his first tryout.
“Chance? I didn’t know you worked at the cinema.”
Chance grinned, which instantly made everything inside Will turn upside down.
“Well, basketball doesn’t pay you a summer job. Cars are expensive. And Jason and Andy are out of town, so that leaves only me.”
He sighed. Suddenly Jonathan’s voice echoed in Will’s right ear, and Will wished the moment had never come.
“Enjoy the movie, then. See… you around?”
Will smiled.
“Sure, see you around.”
Seventy‑five minutes of pure entertainment and Disney magic. Exactly what Will needed.
“You two know each other?”
Will hesitated.
“What? No. Well… from seeing him around. Chance is on the basketball team. Lucas wants to join the team and I was at his practices.”
Jonathan nodded.
“Well, and we’re in the same grade.”
He grumbled.
“Well and… he’s nice.”
“He's nice.”
“He never followed with that Zombie Boy nonsense. If that’s what’s bothering you.”
It wasn’t exactly what Jonathan meant, but he nodded and left it at that.
“Hey boys, dinner is almost ready.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wheeler.”
Karen smiled.
“Oh Jonathan, you can call me Karen.”
Jonathan smiled back.
“Is… uhm… Nancy here?”
“Nancy? No, she wanted to take care of something. Mike is with her.”
Will exhaled in relief, which puzzled Jonathan.
“Is there anything we can help with?”
Karen smiled again.
“No, you’re guests here. But if you don’t mind, could you set the table?”