Graham checked his phone after he got out of the shower. He had a few texts.
AUBREY: I can bring dinner tonight, if you need it. But I feel that I should be with you if you want me to be. Please let me know what you need.
GINA: Hey, um not sure if you're up for it, but you are invited to join me and the parents for dinner. Or if you'd feel more comfortable we can bring some take out over to your place or whatever. I just know they're going to be really anxious to meet you. I know it seems sudden for you, but they've been waiting for this for two decades.
NOAH: I'm on my way back now. See you in a few.
Graham did a double take on the last one. Noah must be worried, normally he'd never send a coming back message, he'd just show up. Graham's head was throbbing. He headed downstairs thinking of what to do. He grabbed a few Advil and downed them with some water. While the workout had taken some of the pain out of his heart, now his whole body seemed to hate him. He really wished he could just drink himself into oblivion right now, but he couldn't do that yet. He needed to respond to his messages.
GRAHAM: I'd rather avoid public places right now. If they want to meet me tonight, they can come over here. Just let me know what time. Just warn them I'm not in the best sorts right now.
GRAHAM: Aubrey, you're the best, but I think Gina and her parents (our parents?) are going to bring dinner. You can ask her for sure. And I'm probably going to not be sober tonight so you probably won't want to be here for that. I'm not a gentleman when I'm drunk.
Graham heard the door open and Noah came in with more food than Graham expected.
"So I got a few pints of frozen custard, chocolate, vanilla and the flavor of the day, caramel cashew. I also go the butterburger and the chicken strips and lots of fries." Noah announced.
Graham smiled inwardly. He could at least get a food hangover right now. "You're the best man." Graham told Noah as he reached for a pint of caramel cashew frozen custard - his favorite, at least one thing was going right today. Then he felt guilty, a few things were going right. He had an amazing girlfriend, great housemates and he'd actually gotten to know his sister so at least one member of his actual family wasn't a complete stranger. Graham dipped a fry into his frozen custard and ate it. His phone dinged.
AUBREY: If you're sure I'll leave you alone tonight but I'll come check on you tomorrow, okay?
GRANT: Just not before Noon, I'll most likely be passed out until then.
AUBREY: Just be careful, okay?
GRANT: I will. I don't normally drink much, but I need to be numb tonight.
AUBREY: I understand. I'll see you tomorrow. Call or message me if you need to. <3
GRAHAM: Thanks for understanding. <3
Graham spent the next while consuming too much food. When he was done and Noah cleaned up their lunch mess, insisting that he wouldn't let Graham help, Graham checked his phone again.
GINA: Would you be okay if we stopped by around 6? We'll bring some food with us.
GRAHAM: That works for me. Let me check with my housemates.
Graham checked his phone, it was already 3. He wasn't sure he'd want to eat in just 3 hours, but he could at least get this first awkward meeting over with.
"Noah do you have any plans tonight, Gina's going to bring her parents over. I guess I should start calling them our parents... but that's weird. Anyway are you okay if we use the dining room?"
"Yeah, but message the others to be sure they don't have anything going on. I haven't heard but it's good to check."
He messaged his housemates.
GRAHAM: Are you guys okay if I commandeer the dining room tonight from about 6 on?
NOAH: Fine with me.
Noah looked over and smiled as he sent it. "It'll make them get another notification so they'll answer faster." Graham shook his head.
LUCAS: Elijah and I have other plans so that's cool.
JOHN: I'll be around but will stay away.
OLIVER: Sure man, if it's a make up dinner with Aubrey, you should order in!
NOAH: It's not a make up dinner, Oliver, he and Aubrey are fine. Gina is coming over.
JOHN: Maybe I won't stay away.
NOAH: I'd suggest staying away, her parents are coming.
JOHN: 😕 ? WTF man?
GRAHAM: I'm not going after Gina.
NOAH: Graham will explain tomorrow probably about lunchtime if he's drug his hungover ass out of bed by then. Or in an hour if you can all be back home by then. We'll be in the man cave.
Graham stared at Noah. "Way to take control and not give me any choice."
"It's better to get it out sooner than later. You know we'll all be here for you."
Graham nodded. "I'd make you give me that other pint of custard if I wasn't already overly stuffed. You know they're all going to be here as soon as they can now. Especially since you mentioned me being hung over."
Noah smiled, "Oh I'm counting on it."
Sure enough, within 30 minutes all the residents of the Ark were sitting in their man cave in the basement. After Lucas and Elijah walked in John said, "All right, we're all here, what's going on?"
"You mean you haven't gotten anything out of him yet?" Elijah asked.
"No, he's being very good at not responding. Now let him speak." Oliver said.
Graham looked at Noah, "How do I even start?"
"I think the line you gave me was perfect." Noah replied. After Graham looked confused, Noah said, "The one about your whole life being a lie."
The other guys in the room just looked between themselves wondering what was going on. Before they could start asking questions, Graham quickly said, "Guys, my whole life is a lie." He held his hands up before they could ask. "Remember how Gina and her roommates had me do that DNA test?" They nodded. "The results came back and we met up today to look at them." Graham took a breath. His housemates looked at him expectantly. "Turns out my Aunt isn't my Aunt. And my parents are still alive."
That got his housemates all talking at once. Noah practically yelled, "Guys calm down, let him finish."
"So you know how I thought Gina looked familiar? Well apparently she looks a lot like my mom, as she should since she's also my mom's daughter."
John gaped, "No way, Gina's your sister?!?"
"That's why she's coming here with her parents." Noah said.