Chapter 36: Coal Digger III
I sighed.
"I'll talk to her," I murmured, heading toward Gloria's room. After a quick knock and hearing her soft "okay," I stepped inside.
"Hey, Gloria," I said, taking a seat across from her.
She started, "From the beginning, I feel like Manny and I are not welcome in this family."
"How come? I was very welcome; I even let you take me in at your house," I joked, trying to ease the tension. That earned a small smile.
"And that's not fair, Gloria. Phil, Cam, and even Alex - in her own way - were welcoming. The problem is us Pritchetts," I went on gently. "Claire, Mitchell, Jay, and I… we're too judgmental. I bet Mitch had doubts about Cam at first, and Claire definitely did about Phil."
"When I first saw you at the hospital, I thought the same thing Claire did. But maybe because I'm a genius, I didn't blurt it out loud to a ten-year-old loudmouth," I quipped, making Gloria chuckle.
"It didn't take long for me to realize how wrong I was," I continued, taking her hand. "You welcomed me with open arms, and I saw how you and Jay made an incredible couple."
"I have a theory," I added with a faint grin. "Some divine providence must've seen that after thirty-five years with that witch, Jay deserved a break - and sent him the best woman possible."
"Ay, mi niño lindo," she cooed, hugging me before giving a deadpan look. "You smooth talker, you're going to make me a grandmother soon."
"Hey, don't jinx it! I'm trying to comfort you, and you're throwing curses," I complained, pretending to be offended.
She smacked my arm playfully. "What curse? Children are the best thing in the world!"
Then someone knocked on the door - it was Claire.
"Okay, I'll let you two talks," I muttered, standing up and heading back to the living room.
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I sat down to watch the last minutes of the game while Marissa, Summer, and Haley chatted in the corner - not very interested in the match, though they sometimes laughed in my direction.
"Oh great, now we have two more Haleys," Alex remarked sarcastically from her seat.
I ignored her and kept my eyes on the TV until Claire and Gloria came down the stairs.
"Hey, you two work that out?" Jay asked, giving them a quick glance.
"Almost," Claire answered. "Gloria just wants me to jump in the pool."
"Okay then," Jay replied casually, turning back to the game.
"What?" Phil exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupted, standing up.
Claire looked half surprised, half wary.
I smirked, "Let me grab my camera first." She just shot me a murderous glare.
Claire walked outside toward the pool, and of course, we all followed.
"This is so awesome!" Luke shouted.
"I know," Haley added. "Mom does not look good wet."
"Is she really gonna jump?" Marissa asked curiously.
"Of course," I nodded confidently.
Jay groaned, "Gloria, is this really necessary?", as Claire stood at the pool's edge.
"It's fine, Dad. If I have to jump into this water to prove how sorry I am, I'll do it," Claire declared. "I'm fine."
But she hesitated, then turned to Gloria, "You're serious? You're not gonna stop me?"
"Why would I do that?" Gloria asked innocently.
"Because I'm showing my willingness to-" Claire stopped, realizing Gloria wasn't budging. "No? Okay then." She sighed and jumped.
"Yeaay!!", we all burst out laughing and cheering.
"Are you happy now?" Claire called from the pool.
"Yes! I forgive you!" Gloria shouted back, smiling.
"Then give me your hand," Claire offered, swimming closer.
"Oh, that's the oldest trick in the book. She's gonna pull you in," Jay warned.
Claire denied, "No, I won't!"
"And that's my job," Jay declared, pushing Gloria straight into the pool.
"AY Jaaay!" she screamed mid-fall.
Phil chuckled, and decided to speak up. "This is funny, but this is also a teaching moment. Think about-" He didn't finish; Jay shoved him in too.
Luke and Manny raced to push Jay next, followed by Mitchell dragging Alex along for the ride.
"Cannonball!" Cam bellowed, leaping dramatically into the water.
I was laughing by the edge when I heard, "Payback time!" Summer tackled me like a football player.
We crashed into the pool, laughing
I pulled her into a hug with one arm, while the other hand wiped the water from my face.
Summer brushed a strand of wet hair from her face and whispered, "Hey, Jake," glancing toward the two who were still dry.
"Leave it to me," I grinned, already reading her mind.
I got out of the pool casually and ran, scooping up Haley and Marissa - one on each shoulder - as they screamed.
"No, no, no!" Haley struggled, Marissa's laugh turned into a squeal as she kicked weakly, but it was too late.
I jumped in, dragging both of them with me, splashing everyone in sight.
In the pool, I was wiping my face when two people leaned on me, pushing my head back underwater. (I could've avoided it, but I let the girls counterattack.)
"I'm all wet," Haley complained lightly, and I bit back an improper innuendo.
"At least we have the new clothes we bought today," Summer remarked.
I kissed her cheek. "Little Sunny has everything planned."
After a while, we decided to get out of the pool. I said I'd grab towels for everyone.
I took off my shirt, so I wouldn't soak the house too much, making four girls stare at me. I wasn't bulky, but my body was very well-defined.
"Wow, not bad," Summer looked eagerly without a hint of shame.
Alex turned away quickly, frustrated, and Marissa also looked aside.
Haley said nothing but was still staring at me
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