“Oh my goodness!” Melissa exclaimed when she saw the blood running down the side of Grant’s face and dripping onto his t-shirt.
Grant stared at his brother. “If you’re planning to bludgeon me to death with that umbrella, can it wait?”
David grabbed hold of Grant’s t-shirt and practically slung him inside. He poked his head out the door and took a quick look around.
“What are you doing? Checking for rain?” Grant smirked.
“What have you done now?” David asked insistently as he tossed the umbrella aside and locked the door. “I swear that if there are people chasing you, and you came here where my wife and my daughter…”
“Baby, are you alright?” Melissa interrupted her husband as she tenderly examined the cut on Grant’s forehead.
“I’m okay; it’s not as bad as it looks,” Grant said nonchalantly.
“I’m gonna get towels and bandages,” Melissa said as she rushed off toward the bathroom.
“What happened?” David groaned, kicking the umbrella out of his way as he began pacing the living room floor.
Grant rolled his eyes. “Just FYI, Mary Poppins…that gun they issued you when you made cop would probably be more intimidating to your average intruder than any props you may find in a Broadway production.”
“Answer my question,” David said sternly. “How did this happen?”
“Listen, I need your help,” Grant sighed.
“Let me explain to you how this game works,” David grumbled. “I ask a question and then you answer it. It’s called a coherent conversation…perhaps you’ve heard of it?”
“He has a gash on his head, David. Could you please not yell at him?” Melissa huffed as she returned to doctor Grant’s face.
“I borrowed someone’s car without his permission,” Grant gulped.
“Translation…you stole a car,” David nodded. “Go on.”
“Exactly, and now I need you to help me get it fixed and returned before the guy that I took it from notices that it’s gone,” Grant replied.
“Grant, be still, Sweetheart,” Melissa sighed as she gently attended to Grant’s face.
“I’m sorry, I must have misunderstood that last part,” David replied sarcastically.
“It’s called English…perhaps you’ve heard of it?” Grant grinned. “Car… crashed… wrecked… totaled… brother… help!”
“Let’s add a few significant adjectives in there, why don’t we?” David nodded. “Stolen car… idiot brother… deeply….”
“Deeply is an adverb,” Grant interrupted.
“Would you and your smart mouth like to bleed to death outside on my patio?” David smiled. “Because I could very easily head on back to bed right now.”
“It was just an observation,” Grant shrugged.
“Grant, you’ve got to hold still,” Melissa sighed.
“David, this guy that we’re talking about will kill me if he finds out that I wrapped his precious, little sports car around a tree,” Grant insisted.
“Grant, you’re lucky you weren’t killed,” Melissa exclaimed.
“Have you been drinking?” David asked sternly.
“No,” Grant replied quickly. “I swear. I would offer to walk the line for you, Robocop, but, honestly, my head injury has me feeling a little woozy. I know it was stupid, but I crashed the car with no help from any mind-altering substances, just sheer speed and stupidity. And now I need your help.”
“What exactly do you want me to do?” David shrugged.
“The owner won’t be back for a week,” Grant replied quickly. “Just loan me some money; I’ll have the car fixed up as good as new; I’ll put it back in the same spot I took it from, and he’ll never know that anything ever happened. I’ll be good for the money on my next birthday, and I’ll pay you back with interest.”
David turned to his wife. “It scares me that he’s serious,” he shook his head in disbelief.
“Come-on, David,” Grant begged. “You have always told me that I could come to you with anything. Please! We’re brothers; we’re in this together!”
“Yeah,” David exhaled. “Frankly, I fear that the jury would share your opinion.”
“David, do this for me, and I’ll never ask for anything again,” Grant promised.
“You know, Bro,” David nodded, “people in my profession tend to look down on things such as this.”
Grant let out a loud groan. “Okay, well, listen, Barney Fife…”
David smacked his brother hard across the back of the head. “Don’t even bother finishing that sentence.”
“David, don’t hit him,” Melissa scolded, and Grant grinned victoriously.
“Did you see that?” David pointed. “Did you see that little smirk, Mel?”
