Chapter 19

nineteen

JACKSON FAMILY CHAT

Gabrielle

Lucy enjoyed an afternoon of making fairy tale slime in my classroom. Aunt Gaby to the rescue!

LUKE

Do not send that home with my daughter.

Or you’re repainting my walls.

GAbrIELLE

She was four.

LUKE

And combing it out of her hair.

GAbrIELLE

We had the slime doesn’t go in hair conversation.

LUKE

I mean it.

GAbrIELLE

I’m not sending it home with you. She’s staying with me for a girl’s night tonight.

[gif of Rachel and Phoebe jumping up and down]

LUKE

It’s an early morning tomorrow. I can pick her up later.

GAbrIELLE

That’s nonsense. You’re entitled to adult time.

LUKE

I don’t need adult time.

GAbrIELLE

Is Ella okay?

LUKE

She’s fine.

GAbrIELLE

Other than the car thing.

LUKE

She’s fine.

GAbrIELLE

You need to be more in-tune with the Force. There’s no way she’s fine.

LUKE

[Anakin lightsaber gif]

You underestimate my power.

What do you want from me?

GAbrIELLE

That’s a little… dark. Are you hangry?

And there’s a long list.

I’ll start with you enjoying a kid-free Friday night. Eat. Drink. Be merry. But mostly eat.

Also. Keep my best friend entertained since I’m watching Lucy.

LUKE

Did you have plans with Ella?

Seriously Gaby. I’ll come get Lucy.

GAbrIELLE

She said she wanted a raincheck.

Hence the not fine.

Maybe you can work your Luke Jackson magic.

In a non-gross way.

LUKE

What are you? Five?

You’re sure you’re okay with Lucy?

GAbrIELLE

I was an eight-year-old girl once, you know.

I think I can figure it out.

And you know what I mean.

LUKE

I do not know what you mean.

Please watch the sugar. She’ll bounce off the walls all night.

And she’ll have nightmares.

GAbrIELLE

Yes, dad.

LUKE

This is your last chance to opt out of aunt duty.

She sleeps like a monkey.

GAbrIELLE

You should know I never mind keeping my niece.

I’ll sleep on the couch if she gets too crazy.

LUKE

What about clothes?

GAbrIELLE

We can go shopping.

LUKE

I’ll Venmo over some money.

GAbrIELLE

No. Stop acting like you put us out to help with your daughter. Let me spoil this child.

LUKE

It’s too much, Gabs.

GAbrIELLE

I can decide that, thank you very much.

We’ll grab dinner, go shopping, snag a couple of books and have a wild evening at home.

LUKE

They’re doing fairy tales at school.

GAbrIELLE

[dog smiling gif]

MY. FAVORITE.

That explains the note.

LUKE

Note? What note?

GAbrIELLE

There’s a Cider & Story time event next week.

Looks like it’s a fairy tale writers showcase.

I can come too!

Luke.

[Tony Stark rolling his eyes gif]

LUKE

Fine. We’ll figure it out.

GAbrIELLE

Are you okay?

LUKE

Fine.

GAbrIELLE

Go eat.

I’ll check in later.

LOVE YOU!

Lucy says she loves you too!

LUKE

Tell Lucy I love her back.

GAbrIELLE

Nothing for me?

LUKE

GAbrIELLE

Did you use an emoji??

You’re forgiven for ignoring me!

[Betty White dancing gif]

Gifs are next!

LUKE

Love you too. Stop texting me.

Unless Lucy needs me.

GAbrIELLE

See you in the morning!

[grumpy crossing arms gif]

Luke has notifications silenced.