Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer by Rochelle Alers Page B

stories.”
    â€œAre you saying you don’t get none?” Christian asked in a low voice.
    Theo dropped his arm and angled his head. “If you’re asking if I sleep with women, then the answer is yes, but never two, three or four at one time. I’ve always had a problem keeping names straight, so I decided it’s easier to sleep with one woman at a time. And always with a condom. Remember, going out with a woman doesn’t mean you have to sleep with her.” A slight smile curved his mouth. “But, I must confess that I haven’t had any female companionship since you guys came to live with me.”
    Christian managed to look embarrassed. It was the first time he and Theo had discussed sex. “What are you going to do? Wait for Noelle to move out before you get a girlfriend? By that time you’ll be so old you’ll forget how to do it.”
    Theo laughed, and so did Christian. “It’s like riding a bike. You never forget. But, on a more serious note, I will not bring a woman into the house as long as any of you live with me.”
    â€œThat’s old school, man. I know kids whose mothers bring men home after their fathers move out.”
    â€œI’m very conservative about certain things because I was raised by my grandmother, not our mother.”
    Christian’s brows drew downward in a frown. “What was up with that?”
    It was apparent Mary hadn’t told his siblings about her life before she met and married James Anderson. “I’ll tell you about it one of these days.”
    Theo knew the day of reckoning could not be avoided forever. Brandon, Noelle and Christian had known that they had a much older brother, but what Mary had neglected to tell them was that she had waited more than two decades to acknowledge and reconcile with her firstborn. On his thirtieth birthday, Theo had called Mary, and they had had a mother-son talk for the first time in their lives. He’d thought turning thirty had precipitated the telephone call, but it wasn’t until after he had hung up that he’d realized it had been because he missed his grandmother, whom he had buried two months before. It was as if he’d had to connect with somebody—anybody with whom he shared blood.
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œBefore we leave here. Now, let’s go. I want to get back before the last ferryboat pulls out.”
    In the six months he had lived with Theo, Christian had learned enough about his older brother to know when to concede—except the night when L.A.’s finest escorted him and Brandon home. After the first slap from Theo, he realized it was dangerous to open his mouth before he engaged his brain. A couple puffs of weed had left him temporarily insane. Once his head cleared the following morning, he swore he’d never physically challenge Theo again, because if he slapped that hard, he did not want to find out how hard he could punch.
    Â 
    Theo stared at Noelle across the table, flanked in the booth by Helen and Brandon. They had arrived only minutes before a large crowd had gathered outside the door to Johnny Harris, the city’s oldest restaurant.
    â€œHave you decided what you want?”
    She did not glance up from the menu in front of her. “I’m not hungry.”
    â€œBut you haven’t eaten anything all day, sweetheart,” Helen crooned.
    Noelle pushed out her lower lip. “I said I am not hungry.” She had spoken through her teeth.
    â€œNoelle!” Theo raised his voice, and diners from a nearby table turned in their direction. He closed his eyes and covered his mouth with his right hand. His sister continued to push buttons he never knew he had. He opened his eyes and lowered his hand. “Please apologize to Miss Helen.”
    Noelle glared at him. “What did I say?”
    â€œIt’s not what you said, but how you said it.”
    â€œApologize, Ellie,” Christian said, using his