It was only 10 in the morning. My mother was making breakfast for the special surprise we had for dad. She was so excited and giddy I never seen her like this. It was...weird I guess. My mom sent my dad to go pick up some milk since ours expired and in the mean time we waited for him to return. I was enjoying the delicious pancakes, eggs, and bacon and I couldn't wait to get a meal like this again this evening. I haven't told my mother about it and I should probably get to it right now. 

"So...mom. Can I have some money, just a bit."

She gave me a strange look, "You know Henry, when it comes to money, ask your father, but with me, you gotta let me know. What do you need money for?"

"Well...this evening at six. My friends and I are going to eat at Denny's. I'd thought that if I brought along some cash. I don't look like an asshole."

"Smart thinking. May I ask who these friends are? Is Leo coming?"

"Surprisingly...no mom. Leo isn't coming. Janet and Alice, along with Dylan are going to be there. To be honest I'm only going for Alice."

"Oh?" That caught her attention immediately. To where she poured in too much pancake batter, "Ah...shit."

"That's one for the swear jar mom." I laughed at her as she slipped a dollar into the jar. I can't believe we actually have one of those. I ended up telling her the real deal about why we're going to Denny's.

"Henry Wilhelm, that poor girl is going to get her feelings hurt. You tell Alice before you guys go into Denny's. I don't want no one mad at you." That was when my father walked into the house. He was dressed in formal clothing. Button up shirt, tie, and everything else. The usual 'businessman' look. He set down the milk and gave my mother a kiss. 

"Who's going to be mad at Henry?" My father asked.

"No one, honey. I'll tell you when Henry leaves this evening. Going to meet some friends at six. Give him twenty dollars, so he doesn't look like an asshole."

My father sighed and handed me the money. Telling him thank you, my mother pulled out the ultrasound photo as she served my dad his food. Her smile went from ear to ear as mine also did. Before my dad could look at the photo, he started to chow down on my mom's food. My mother had to make him notice it.

"What is this?" He flipped the photo around and he started to choke on his food, "H-holy, sh..shit. You're pregnant? OH MY GOD YOU'RE PREGNANT!"

He got up from the table and went over to kiss my mother some more. They both celebrated. I loved how happy they were. I got excited and jumped in on a hug. My father raced to his phone on the counter and called every family member he could reach. For the next hour that's all he did. My mom hated it because she wanted them to do it at the next family gathering, but she couldn't stop him. I did the same and told my friends. They...didn't have the same reaction as my father, but it gave me an excuse to talk to them. 

Coolio! Awesome Henry! Kill it before it takes your spot! You sure they're not just replacing you?

That last question from Janet kind of made me feel weird about it. They wouldn't do anything like that. It's just a coincidence. I hope. I ended up going back downstairs to ask them and they didn't like the question.

"Henry! We would never do such a thing. Why would you say something like that?" My mother didn't take it well, but my father just laughed at the question.

"S..sorry. It's just coincidental I guess."
Then there was a knock on a door. We had no clue who it was. It was the weekend. Usually the religious people came around and asked if we found God. We mean no disrespect, but we mostly don't answer the door for that. I went up to the door and peeked through the peephole. Dammit. I thought to myself. It's Leo.  I opened the door to let him in.

"Hey Wilhelms! Congratulations on the baby. On my way over here, Henry messaged me about it!" Leo came unexpectedly, but we didn't care. We were his second home. My parents greeted Leo as my father shook his hand and my mother gave me a tight hug. Even serving up breakfast for him, but my mother gave me a stern look. I knew what she meant.

"So...how long are you staying here today, Leo?" I asked.

"Is all day fine? Mom and dad got work, so you know?" He talked with his mouth full of food. Ever since his parent's divorce, things have been rough on him. He's been going back and forth to between homes. Leo told me he didn't enjoy Christmas because of it. He ended up staying at our house that day. His parents were okay with it though. They knew this wold take some sort of toll on him. 

"Well, Leo, you're welcome to stay however long you want. You're the brother Henry never had. However, Henry is going somewhere at 6. So expect him to be back at 8."

"Oh..okay. Where's Henry going?" Leo looked at me as I tried to walk back upstairs. My father even butted in to ask me, "Yeah, Henry. Where are  you going?"

My parents will not let me lie to Leo. If we weren't home, I'd tell him something else, but I can't lie to Leo. I raced back to the kitchen table. I hesitated for a moment as Leo looked at me. Looking at me like I'm going to give him really bad news. Like his dog died or something. My mother and father's eyes were piercing right through me. It hurt internally. 

"I'm going to Denny's with Janet and Alice....and uhm...Dylan."

"Oh..." Leo seemed like he was betrayed.

"I wanted to invite you. I swear. You know I wouldn't go without you, but Alice thinks that she's closer to me than you, so she only invited me."

"Then don't..go? Henry it's not that hard to say no." My parents watched us and I hated every second of it. 

"Look, when I come back later tonight, I'll tell you everything, but I can't right now. Alright?"

"Henry be lucky that we have a strong friendship because if we didn't. I know you'd be lying, but...alright. I don't mind staying with Mr and Mrs. Wilhelm for the evening. I can't wait to hear all the embarrassing stories to hear about you when you were younger. My parents laughed and Leo continued to eat his food with a devilish smile appointed to me.