The three of them took their places around the dining table, with Kevin at the head, Loretta on one side, and Julian across from her.
For the first few minutes, everything was relatively quiet.
Then Julian picked up his phone.
"I've decided."
Loretta looked up from her plate. "You've decided what?"
"The movie."
She smiled faintly. "I already told you which one I want to watch."
"Yes, and I say the movie is all hype and no substance."
Loretta shook her head, amused. "You're impossible."
Julian grinned. "Trust my taste. You will enjoy the movie."
Kevin continued eating in silence.
He had initially expected dinner to be quiet.
Instead, the conversation continued across the table as though he wasn't there.
"I still think the other one is better," Loretta said.
"It's too long and all hyped," Julian disagreed.
"Hype? I think it is a good movie," Loretta argued.
"I don't want to spend three hours watching a movie."
"It's not three hours."
"It is."
