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April 28, 1992 (Again)
Even when parties are not loud, raucous affairs, the time right after one is over seems very quiet in comparison.
Meg kind of likes it.
She and Laura have finished putting the leftovers in the refrigerator and loading the dishwasher, and are just sitting down in the living when Alain comes back in from taking out the trash.
"That did not exactly go as I planned," Alain says, dropping onto the couch next to Meg.
"Well, no," Meg says.
In that Heidi gave her number to his friend Marc, and his brother left with Meg's friend Donna.
"But I think everyone had a good time."
Meg kind of likes it.
She and Laura have finished putting the leftovers in the refrigerator and loading the dishwasher, and are just sitting down in the living when Alain comes back in from taking out the trash.
"That did not exactly go as I planned," Alain says, dropping onto the couch next to Meg.
"Well, no," Meg says.
In that Heidi gave her number to his friend Marc, and his brother left with Meg's friend Donna.
"But I think everyone had a good time."
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"You're not a wimp, honey," Meg says reassuringly. "Very handsome, and not a wimp."
"And being humored by my wife."
"Maybe just a little."
Alain takes one of Meg's hands in both of his, and then turns back to X. "So Bruce is good at fighting?"
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X's response is simple.
"I do not have to hold back. When we spar."
Well, except for the claws, but those do not count. In this context.
She flicks a quick glance between Meg and Alain.
"You could learn, too. If you wanted."
Meg could teach him!
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Meg has interesting friends.
"Um. I suppose I could.
"Do you think I should?"
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"I do not think it is relevant."
Meg has got him covered.
"Unless you want to. Learn."
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Though, really, he's probably more than capable of handling anything he's reasonably likely to be asked to handle.
So, no, it's probably not relevant.
Alain quirks an eyebrow. "I'll consider it. Thank you, X."
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"And I will be careful. With you."
Beat.
"If you decide to learn."
It's a promise!
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"I appreciate that."
Now, what can they change the subject to?
"So, X, anything interesting going on for you at home?"
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It seems safe enough, right?
"My team is not losing."
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It beats not not losing.
"Alain spent a couple of years playing baseball, when he was younger."
"I wasn't very good at it," Alain tells Laura. "I didn't always pay enough attention to the game."
It's a peril of the outfield.
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"You did not like it? Playing baseball."
It seems to be enough to keep the kids distracted.
"Or it was boring? The position you played."
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"But it wasn't hockey," Meg says.
"Basically," Alain admits. "It just seemed so slow. I like baseball better now, to watch if not to play, but Meg's really the baseball fan here."
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"Hockey."
Uh oh?
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But she doesn't think this is likely to end with having to build an ice rink.
(Or having to learn to skate well enough to be a hockey ref.)
"You could try some time," Alain says. "If you wanted. Do you skate?"
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Beat.
"But I do not think it will be difficult for me to learn."
Physical things usually aren't. Strangely.
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"Meg is reasonably competent," she corrects.
"And better than she thinks she is," Alain says. "Anyway, X, you might like it. And then you can decide about hockey."
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Then --
"I do not think it would be terrible."
Beat.
"Skates are easy to find?"
She could bring custom ones from home, but maybe that is overkill?
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"And it's probably better not to go to the trouble to buy your own until you know you like it. You know?" Alain adds.
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"I will not forget."