Devin worked for ABC studios, specifically with their newest hit show. The show was in its third year and one of the most watched non-cable shows. It was about high school students (the actors weren’t even close in age to being in high school, I’d like to add) who were in an a cappella club, fighting their way to the top. I had to admit Devin did a great job of “sound mixing,” whatever the hell that meant. All I know is that every Wednesday when the show comes on at nine, it sounded crisp and clear, and I could set the volume level at 20 and never turn it up or down and still hear everything perfectly.
“Yes, I suppose that was a compliment. And no middle names, Devin Theodore!”
“That’s a family name. I couldn’t control that,” he said, collapsing onto one of the lounge chairs in the living room. He grabbed the channel changer off the coffee table and turned the TV on. “Anything you want to watch?”
I shook my head. I was usually up for watching anything. I could even watch sports—shocker, I know. About the only thing I couldn’t watch was news and politics. I had to be in the right mood or it would just suck my spirit. Oh, and also some of the Health Channel programs. I could just about vomit with some of the stuff they showed on that channel.
Devin flipped through the channels and even looked at the cable guide and found nothing he wanted to waste his time on. “Want to just watch Lost ?” he asked, getting up from his chair.
“Sure, you know I’m always up for it. But put in Season 5, because I love it when they jump through time.”
“You’ve always had a fascination with Season 5. I don’t understand it.”
“I appreciate the absolute genius behind the two different timelines and how everything eventually comes back together. I mean come on, they are back in 1974! And then, by unearthing an atomic bomb, buried by their own advice back in 1956, they use said bomb to destroy the Dharma Initiative. I mean, seriously! How do they come up with such craziness? And by setting off the bomb it creates two futures.” I huffed in excitement and admiration.
Devin chuckled and put the DVD into the machine. He was familiar with everything in our house. He was like family, but if I said he was family, that would mean he had some place in my heart. And that was so not the case. He was a friend, maybe, but not family.
We had almost gotten through an entire episode when the pizza arrived. Devin got up and paid the delivery guy and took the pizzas into the kitchen.
I stood up and walked to the stairs. “Em! Dinner’s here!” I didn’t hear any reply. “Emily! Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you. I’m coming, okay?” she said aggressively.
“All right, I was just checking. You don’t have to snap at me,” I said calmly.
She didn’t respond, but instead walked past me into the kitchen. She was still mad. Mad at me, and mad at Devin. She hated that he didn’t pay her the slightest attention.
“You got a salad, right?” Emily asked upon seeing the pizza boxes on the table.
“Yeah, Devin ordered one.” I sidestepped past her to grab a plate. “Here.” I gave her a plate and took one for myself. “I didn’t know what dressing you wanted, but I figured you could just use the stuff you have in the fridge.”
“Yeah, okay, whatever,” she said, practically stomping to the fridge. She pulled the fat-free Italian from the drawer and slumped back in her seat.
“Something wrong, Em?” I wasn’t sure if she was mad because Devin was still here and he was hanging out with me, or if she was mad because I didn’t invite her to join us. Or maybe both?
“Nothing,” she said through clenched teeth.
I looked over at Devin, and he shook his head as if to tell me to just drop it. I shrugged my shoulders in an “oh well” manner then lifted up my plate and extended it toward Devin. Without me even having to say anything, he opened the pizza box near him and loaded the plate with two slices of my favorite, pepperoni and black olive. I smiled and nodded my head in approval.
After loading his own plate with two slices of bacon and onion and one slice of pepperoni and black olive, he motioned toward the living room.
I nodded my head at his proposition. “Hey, Em, we’re watching Lost and figured we could eat and watch it at the same time, so if you want to join us, feel free.” I stood up with my plate and cup in hand.
“Whatever, I’m just going to eat in my room. I was talking to Stacy before you yelled up the stairs.”
“Ok, if that’s what you’d like to do. Feel free to join later, if you want.” I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. The fridge slammed shut behind me, and I figured she put the dressing away and maybe grabbed a water or coke. Then she stomped up the stairs, making sure we knew she was still angry.