It didn’t reach the table until dessert. Chloe went rummaging for ice-cream, and Dad reached out to tap Shane’s wrist when he made to gather plates.
“Hang fire,” was all Dad said, and Shane paused before sitting down again, twisting his fingers into the tablecloth as Chloe clattered bowls and spoons.
“Ag-en-da,” Jason sounded out in a sing-song voice.
“Do you ever shut up?” Shane asked.
“Some of us have better s**t to do than cry and mope.”
“Jason,” Dad snapped. Shane took the quicker route, and kicked him.
“Ow!”
“Stop it!” Dad ordered, rapping his knuckles hard on the table. Shane subsided, but not before sticking his tongue out at Jason in a fit of childish pique. Seriously, Jason could bring out the ten-year-old in anybody. “Right. We need a discussion.”
“Urgh,” Jason said.
“Re
