588 V2 ch60 (1/2)
They kept it up throughout the meal, on the way home, and at home. When it got closer to graduation, Zeke had to leave earlier than us to meet up with his classmates in order to prepare. He dressed up in his suit that he wore to the banquet and held his cap and gown in hand.
”So grown up.” Gramma dabbed the corner of her eyes as we watched Zeke leave the house.
”We would grow up slower if you saw us more often.” Noah hadn't given up.
”Boy, if you don't quit it...” Grampa warned.
Noah grinned. ”What? What are you going to do?”
”Don't think you're too big for me to bend over my knee.” Grampa wagged his finger at Noah, but didn't make a move.
Normally I'd be frightened with the threat of violence, but coming from Grampa, it was just funny. He wasn't scary or mean. He was a friendly giant.
After a bit of sitting around, Mom called for us. ”Boys! Come and let me fix your hair before we go!”
The four of us went and lined up. She started with the twins. ”Your hair barely has any pink left. Pictures will come out good today.”
”I think I might add some pink before our college visits and camps.” Dave remarked. ”Help them differentiate me from Kyle.”
”Thank goodness.” Kyle rolled his eyes. ”I don't want to be mistaken for you and I definitely don't want pink hair. Not even a hint of pink. This still makes me cringe.”
She put gel in their hair and brushed it to the side, styling their hair fashionably. ”Do you really want to Dave? Won't schools and scouts look down on you for being different?”
”Then they aren't the place for me.” Dave replied confidently.
”Did you keep the contaminated bottle?” Noah asked.
Dave nodded, his hair styled. ”Yep. I'll probably do it before the first camp next week.”
”You're crazy.” Kyle told him, also stepping away now that his hair was styled.
Mom moved on to Noah. ”Well, if that's what you want...” She fixed his hair real quick. ”You're going to need a haircut soon, Noah.”
Noah shrugged. ”I've got all summer.”
Mom stepped up in front of me, and slightly hesitated.
Noah laughed. ”You've already hugged him today, Mom. I think Jake can handle getting his hair brushed.”
I nodded. ”You can brush my hair...Mom...”
She put a little bit of gel in my hair and styled it differently from the others because of the difference in texture and length. ”You need a haircut as well, Jake.”
”All summer.” I echoed Noah's words to her.
She laughed and shook her head. ”Don't be copying Noah all the time.”
”Hey! What's wrong with Jake being like me?” Noah exclaimed from beside us.
”You gamble too much.” Dave was quick to say.
”You talk back all the time.” Kyle added.
”You have a knack for finding trouble.” Dave continued.
”You-”
”Good idea.” Mom agreed.
We got to the car and soon, the majority of us realized that we came across a problem. Seating. Without taking an extra car, it's going to be cramped.
”Maybe I should take Mom's car?” Dave offered.
”No, that's a waste.” Mom shook her head.
”You just don't trust me.” Dave argued.