Reed closed the cover of the grill he’d just scrubbed, grabbed his beer bottle, and sat in a chair pushed back from the table. Ah, his first chance to sit all night.
Everyone had eaten and now swam or lounged by the pool. Iz’s white “Christmas” lights strung along the roofline sparkled against the dark night. Two of Iz’s guy friends walked onto the covered patio, deep in the middle of some serious discussion.
“Reed,” Mike started.
“Yes.” He took a swig from his bottle.
“Maybe you can settle this.” Ray pointed.
Iz came back outside from carrying in dirty plates and serving bowls. She rested a hand on the back of his chair, gazing at her friends.
“If a person doesn’t fulfill their obligation of work—” Ray started.
“Like some kind of service you specifically hired them to do,” Mike int
