Paula jumped up to answer the phone that rang, saving Glen from having to fumble through an explanation.  He looked temporarily relieved until the frown lines appeared on his mother’s forehead, and she directed her patented glare at him.  He was busted.  Spencer actually let out a sigh of relief once she realized that the phone would be the culprit in Glen’s demise and not his horrible little sister.
    

    “Um..,” Kevin started to break the silence around the dinner table.  Oh no..
    

    “So, Aiden, um, “ Spencer interrupted Kevin only to realize that she had absolutely nothing interesting to ask Aiden.  “fan of Dad’s ravioli?”  Wow!!  Ingenious really..why didn’t you just ask him if he liked the color of the paint on the wall..or the couch cushions…or tapioca pudding… Great now everyone’s staring at me like I somehow instantly transformed into a circus clown right here at the dinner table.. Oh, Damn it, Dennison, just humor me and answer the damn question!!

    “Oh, yeah, Mr. Carlin, you are an awesome cook,” Aiden finally rescued Spencer from her pathetic lameness and answered.  “Oh, and by the way, Kevin, I was wondering if your dad is still working for RollingStone.  See, I’ve been trying to get tickets to the upcoming Less than Jake concert, but they’ve sold out, and I remember Glen saying something once about him getting his hands on sold-out concert tickets all the time.”  Wow, could you be any more obviously using my boyfriend?

    “Oh, yeah, of course.  I could ask him about that.  You planning a hot date or something?” Kevin answered.  And can you be any more nice about it?  Spencer couldn’t help but smile when she realized that he actually couldn’t possibly be more nice.

    “Fighting, huh?  Glen?  Let me guess, you were just about to tell us.  Right?” Her voice was tight and snippy.  Her eyes burned with anger.  One would think that Glen had actually murdered a fellow classmate and forgotten to tell her.

    “Fighting?  Who were you fighting with, Glen?”  His Dad’s follow up questions were delivered in a much softer and caring tone, but the tight anger could be heard just below the surface.

    “Well, um, I think I’m going to go now.  I guess I’ll..uh..see you guys at school.  The ravioli was wonderful, Mr. Carlin.  Oh, and Kevin, thanks again for checking with your dad.”  Aiden got up to leave, and Kevin stood immediately after.