Memories

Two years ago:

Ben and I are in the living room; I'm on my laptop, he's engrossed in his Nintendo DS. Abe is rattling dishes around in the kitchen.

Some sort of music starts, a high-pitched music-box tinkle of a melody that just screams Barbie. Really annoying stuff. Abe groans, "Ben," and answers his cell phone.

I look at Ben with a raised eyebrow. "You do that?"

Half a grin and a nod. "And his banner says 'Feed Ben now.'"

"Nice."

"Thank you."

Ben and I return to our tasks as muttering joins the clatter of dishes from the kitchen.