The Demise by Diane Moody

wife into pieces and stuffed them in a suitcase. He’s not stupid.”
    “And as I reminded my dear sister, as a professional photographer, it’s altogether possible that I might actually know what I’m talking about when I enlightened her—”
    “Oooh, good one,” Matt said, pumping knuckles with him.
    “Thank you, Matt. When I enlightened her of the powerful capacity of those flashbulbs, even back in the day. Oh wait, here’s the scene . . . watch for yourself.”
    Gevin pressed the remote, starting where Raymond Burr broke into Stewart’s darkened apartment. They watched the scene unfold until Jimmy Stewart fell from his window to the ground below.
    “Sorry, Julie, but I have to agree with Gevin.”
    “Thank you, my man.” Gevin laughed offering his hand for another fist pump. “I knew I liked you.”
    Just then the doorbell rang, and Julie went to answer it. “Yeah, go ahead, you two. Have your fun. Since I’m paying, no pizza for either one of you.”
    “Really?” Matt said. “Because I thought actresses—”
    “Actors,” she chimed over her shoulder.
    “Apologies. I thought actors of the female variety have to watch what they eat.”
    Gevin snickered as he neared the kitchen table. “She told you that?”
    “She did, actually,” Matt said, joining him at the table. “In fact, she even ditched the bun on her grilled chicken sandwich at Sonic today.”
    “That’s just so she can pig out on pizza,” Gevin faux-whispered as Julie slung the pizza box on the table.
    “You guys are just hilarious,” she deadpanned. “Really. I can hardly contain myself.”
    A few minutes later, while eating their way through the extra-large supreme pizza, they kept the conversation light, moving from movies to television to sports and politics. Julie wasn’t at all surprised how easily Matt and her brother got along, as if they’d been friends for years. She caught herself studying Matt as he and Gevin chatted. She liked the natural curl in his thick black hair and wondered if he’d worn it long and bushy and wild when he was younger. She noticed the subtle line of his mouth; not really a smirk, just the hint of a smile. Yet, at the same time there was a seriousness in his eyes that seemed beyond his years. Tracks of two small parallel lines stood between his brows. She was gazing at his eyes, trying to decide if they were brown or more of a golden amber, when she realized they were both looking at her.
    “What?”
    “Where did you go this time, little sister?”
    Busted. “Who, me? I didn’t go anywhere. I’m right here.” She picked a round of pepperoni off her pizza and nibbled on it while trying to dismiss the quickened beating of her heart. “Why?”
    “Bryson, a word of advice. Whenever you see that faraway look in her eyes, or when she’s staring at you but you know she’s not really seeing you? It means she hasn’t heard a word you’ve said because she’s off in Neverland or replaying scenes from a play she’s been in.” He raised his brows with a knowing nod. “Just so you know.”
    “Oh—wait, Gev, is this where I’m supposed to laugh?” Julie stood, gathering their empty plates. “Don’t you have some work to do down in the studio?”
    “And that would be my cue to leave you two alone.”
    “Gevin!” Julie scoffed, flicking his shoulder as the heat warmed her face.
    “Easy, Jules. I was just kidding.” He stood up and grabbed the empty pizza box. “But you’re right. I’ve got to process some pictures, so I’m outta here. You two kids behave yourselves, okay?”
    Julie pinned him with a glare.
    Matt chuckled. “See you later, Gevin.”
    Gevin folded the delivery box and stuffed it into the trash can. “Take care, Bryson.”
    When the door shut, Julie sighed. “Honestly, sometimes it’s like he hasn’t changed a bit since we were kids in grade school. You wouldn’t believe the fights we got into.”
    He quirked a smile. “Actually, I