(New group of characters I've been thinking about for a while. Also trying to practice revealing backstory through subtle hints in the writing, so we'll see how this goes...)
"Jamie? It's time for dinner."
He looked up from his place on the couch. They always wanted him to eat with them at the table so he got up and walked over. He had to sit on a booster seat so he could reach the table, so Steven picked him up and sat him down on it. Jamie wished he wouldn't do that. He didn't like being grabbed by people very much. Once he was seated and Steven had pushed his chair in, Jamie looked down at the plate in front of him and almost smiled. Mac and cheese was his favorite...
"Did you want to say a prayer before we eat?" Jeffrey asked Steven. Jamie looked up at him. Jeffrey had a big smile on his face.
"Shut up, smart-ass," Steven replied. Jamie looked over at him. He looked kinda mad...
Jeffrey laughed. "Steven doesn't like saying prayers, Jamie, so we don't do that when we eat."
"It's stupid. What's the point of praying for your food when it's already there?" Steven asked.
"We don't pray at my house, either," Jamie said.
"Good, because this is a strict no-prayer zone," Steven said.
"Unless Steven's not here, then you can pray all you want if you feel like it," Jeffrey added.
Steven glared at him. "You trying to corrupt him or what?"
"If I wanted to corrupt him, I'd take him to a Christian day care," Jeffrey replied. "There's no need to get so riled up, Steven. I was just kidding."
"I'm not getting riled up," Steven growled. "I just don't want him to fall for that bullshit."
"And I don't want you to scare him when he's only been here three days," Jeffrey said. "Let's just try to have a pleasant evening, okay?"
"Hey, you're the one who brought it up in the first place."
Jamie couldn't stand it anymore. He didn't like it when grown-ups argued with each other. "Do you have to talk about this right now?" he asked.
Both grown-ups looked at him, and Jeffrey said, "Sorry, Jamie. We'll talk about something else now."
"Like how awesome tomorrow's going to be," Steven added. "You excited to go to Sea World, Jamie?"
"Um... yeah, I guess," Jamie said. "But my dad doesn't like me going on trips like that. He says they're stupid and expensive."
"Well, your dad's not in charge of you anymore, so we can take you on all kinds of trips," Jeffrey said.
"Besides, it's not like he's paying for it," Steven added.
"Who's paying for it, then?" Jamie asked.
"We are. In fact, we'll be paying for everything as long as you're with us," Jeffrey said.
"But... that's a lot of money, isn't it?" Jamie asked.
"Not for us," Jeffrey said. "Besides, we want to take you with us tomorrow. It'll be more fun for us that way."
"But I thought having a kid was just stupid and annoying," Jamie said.
"Did your dad tell you that?" Jeffrey asked.
Jamie nodded.
"Well, your dad is an idiot. Kids are awesome and fun, and you'd better not forget it," Steven said.
Jamie looked down at his plate. He guessed Steven didn't want him saying things like that anymore...
"So, Jamie, you want to watch a movie tonight?" Jeffrey asked.
"I don't know."
"I'll make popcorn," Jeffrey said.
"I don't like popcorn. It makes my poop all weird," Jamie said.
Both grown-ups laughed. Jamie felt embarrassed. Why had he said that?
"Oh, wow, that's... you've got a really good point there, actually," Jeffrey said.
"I think someone's going to grow up to be a good comedian," Steven remarked.
"Huh?" Jamie asked. He wasn't trying to be funny...
"He means the way you think is unique enough that you could be really good at telling jokes when you're older," Jeffrey said. "It'll make more sense when you're older, but right now all you need to know is that you're adorable and funny and we love you for it."
Jamie smiled just a little bit. Jeffrey and Steven were really nice. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all...
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