William took the folding chair so Casey wouldn’t have to. Willow might’ve made a
scene if it had been left for her. He tried to avoid awkward moments where he
could. Asking Willow to behave never worked.
Casey sat between William and his grandmother, leaving the seat beside his father
open. Casey scanned the room, polite but hungry. William knew she wouldn’t grab the
first slice.
“So, Casey, how did you and William meet?” his grandmother asked as she reached for
a slice.
“Officially, we met in the hallway at school a few weeks ago, ma’am,” Casey said.
“But I had a class with him last year, though we never spoke.”
“Because he was sleeping?” his grandmother asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Casey replied, then sat up straighter. “But it was first period and
the teacher was rather boring.”
“Casey, I swear, William could sleep through anything. He used to fall asleep at
any time of day, no matter what was happening. Two years ago, the neighbors hired
contractors to build a deck. Hammering, shouting, it echoed through the house. But
this one,” she pointed at him, “slept through all of it. His grandfather and I were
amazed.”
“You forgot to mention I was sick that day,” he said, trying to defend himself.
“Honey, just because you stayed home from school doesn’t mean you were sick. I seem
to recall you still going out with your friends that evening.” She set down her
slice. “And if I never have to talk to that Dave friend of yours again, I’ll die a
happy woman. I think he’s a bad influence.”
Casey shot William a mock-shocked look. She hadn’t had a class with Dave, but his
reputation preceded him.