Merciful Law. Darby Sr. Rae

in my underwear. I just have a way of making women feel comfortable …admit it. Didn’t I tell you she would totally freak out once you walked in the room—even if Chase and I stayed totally relaxed? Damn I wish I had a camera. The look on her face when she saw you—and having her cute little ass exposed was just an added bonus. I don’t think I ever saw anyone blush from head to toe including their ass cheeks. That was a first.

      “So,” Mitch continued, “Emmet won the first round—she held down the tequila—but round two is definitely mine. In fact, I should take away your point for round one. What happened to the speech you were going to deliver?”

      They were all still laughing when I stepped into the family room. Mitch had his back to me still in his underwear but the others saw me coming. They gave Mitch no indication I was right behind him so I had the perfect opportunity to get him back, but I couldn’t think of anything fast enough. I gave him a love tap on the back of the head—lots of love.

      He sat down and pulled me into his lap and kissed my head. “You’re a great sport, Annie.”

      “I’m now beginning to understand why you burn through personal assistants so quickly,” I said, glaring at Emmet, feeling profoundly awkward sitting in Mitch’s lap while he was in his underwear. Squirming to get up I asked, “Would someone mind telling me how many rounds there are to this game so I’ll at least know when it’s over?”

      “Six,” Chase offered, “seven, if there’s a tie.”

      Because of the tequila involved last night they didn’t get a true sense of my competitiveness. So upstairs was all part of this ongoing game? Fine, I’d play; but if we were playing a game—I’m playing too. Finally escaping Mitch’s lap I smiled, looked him in the eye and whispered, “Bring it on, caveman.”

      “You’re not offended?” Mitch asked.

      “Should I be offended?”

      “You don’t feel the least bit used or violated?”

      “Do you want me to feel violated?”

      We bantered back and forth for several minutes. Each time Mitch insinuated I should be upset I responded with my own completely composed question. Finally Mitch seemed to run out of questions and I mentally claimed it as my own personal victory. My gut told me whatever each round entailed, Emmet would be betting I remained composed and Mitch would bet against it. My gut also told me this was the end of round three.

      I walked toward the kitchen, “Anyone hungry?” No one answered, but I could swear I heard Emmet whisper, “That’s two for me.” A few minutes later I returned with a tray of muffins and fresh fruit for everyone. We ate in silence until I finally spoke. “In fairness,” I said, “I should be entitled to ask a few questions.”

      “Ask away. Not that we’re going to give you any answers,” Mitch laughed.

      I ignored him and looked at Chase. “You’re not playing?”

      “No,” he said. “I’m the referee. We learned years ago we need a ref or the game gets completely out of hand.”

      “That’s comforting,” I said sarcastically. “Is each round already determined?”

      “Yes.”

      “When did it all get set up then?”

      “Last night after the euchre game. That’s how it always starts—with the euchre game. We didn’t come over last night planning to do this…it just evolved. If you hadn’t put Emmet on the spot with story time I don’t think he would have allowed it.”

      Emmet said nothing. He just winked

      “Is this why you go through so many personal assistants?”

      “No,” Emmet said quickly. “I just have a knack for hiring the insane.” They all laughed.

      “Well, I have four requests then. Number one—when it’s all over,

      I still have a job. Number two—nothing will be physically harmful to me. Number three—nothing will cause public attention or humiliation. Number four—no matter what—we all agree to be good sports and to keep our senses of humor.”

      “What do you mean ‘we’ all?” Mitch asked.

      “Well, I don’t want anyone getting mad at me for having a little fun along the way.”

      Three different expressions looked back at me. Chase was clearly excited. This was a new spin to an old game and he liked it. Emmet looked curious. Curious to see if I had what it took to run with the big boys, while maybe impressed that I wanted to try. Mitch looked surprised and maybe a bit worried. All of them quickly realized that since I worked for Emmet, Mitch would be my main target.

      We sat around and talked a bit longer. Then the boys came downstairs.

      “Good morning Uncle Chase, good morning Uncle Mitch. Why are you in your underwear?” Eli asked.

      “Because Uncle Mitch has no class,” Susan sniped.

      “Oh, good morning, Hagitha,” Mitch said. “I didn’t see your broom in the driveway last night. Come give Mitch a big kiss!”

      “Sorry, beast. I’m not up on my rabies shots.”

      “You’re out of uniform today. Where’s your pointy hat?”

      “Must you shed all over the furniture? Maybe you could vacuum that chair before you leave?” She retorted.

      “Vacuuming really isn’t my thing, witchiepoo.”

      “Still puzzled on how to use your opposable thumbs, ape?”

      “Don’t you have some apples to poison?”

      “Isn’t your family on display at the zoo today?”

      “Good morning, Susan,” Chase said, intervening. As he walked up to her he dropped a blanket in Mitch’s lap. “How’s my favorite Nanny this morning?” He put his arm around her and they walked into the kitchen. I couldn’t hear what else he was saying, but it was obvious he was in full rescue mode.

      “I have to get ready for a workout,” I said stepping into the kitchen. “But I can’t wait to hear the story behind that. Promise to share it Monday?”

      “It would appear you have a story to tell too, Annie.”

      “Yes, we’ll swap stories on Monday. Chase, don’t beat me to it,” I said, shaking my finger at him as I walked out.