TODD Yeah. Pretty soon …

ERIC Got it.

ERIC glances at his friend, then off into the distance.

… so how’s Karen? She good?

TODD Sure.

ERIC Ha! I guess that’s an answer …

TODD Only one you’re gonna get!

ERIC Ha! I’m fine with that … you guys do your thing, none of my business.

TODD That’s true. (Beat.) And Faye? She’s okay?

ERIC Yep.

TODD Ha!

ERIC Shut the fuck up … Faye is great.

TODD I bet.

ERIC She is! (Beat.) We seriously are … we’re doing very well. Better than ever.

TODD Then awesome.

ERIC Whatever …

TODD laughs and elbows TODD. TODD fights back and pretty soon the two men are pushing and shoving each other in a mock fight.

ERIC ends up pinned under TODD’s arm and has to slap him on the arm repeatedly to get him to stop.

TODD finally does. Releases ERIC and ERIC sits up. Punches TODD in the arm one time. TODD smiles over at his friend.

TODD Bitch.

ERIC Look who’s talking … bitch.

TODD sits for a moment, looking out. ERIC watches him and turns to see what he’s looking at. Turns back and says:

How’re the kids?

TODD Real good.

ERIC Nice.

TODD Yeah. TJ is doing great in track … running the 100. And hurdles.

ERIC Excellent!

TODD And Shayleen is … you know … doing her thing, too.

ERIC Yeah?

TODD Sure. Loves reading and shit. She’s in some little book club at school and volunteers at the library …

ERIC That’s nice. (Beat.) Tracy does too …

TODD Got Shayleen into these riding lessons—like, on a horse—every other weekend, so that’s … you know … not a “sport” exactly … but something …

ERIC Right.

TODD Girls aren’t like boys … you know?

ERIC …

TODD Sorry. I just meant …

ERIC Don’t worry about it.

TODD Yeah, but … anyway. Sorry.

ERIC I know what you mean …

TODD It’s just … they like all kinds ’a shit. That’s all.

ERIC That’s true.

The two men sit there for another minute. Smile at each other. TODD pats ERIC on the thigh without looking.

Thanks, nigga.

TODD laughs at this and punches ERIC in the arm. ERIC puts a hand to his shoulder and pretends to winch.

TODD laughs and hits him again. ERIC punches him back this time.

Another moment of quiet between them.

Finally:

… you ever …?

TODD What?

ERIC Nah. Nothing.

TODD Asshole … what?

ERIC …

TODD Just say it.

ERIC struggles to put into words what he’s feeling.

ERIC I’m not even … I dunno …

TODD Dude, come on!

ERIC I don’t know! (Beat.) I’m just sort of … you know … feeling something. These days. (Beat.) Whatever.

TODD Man, that’s everyday for me …

ERIC Yeah?

TODD Fuck yes. And that’s on a good day.

ERIC Huh.

TODD Everybody feels that …

ERIC Okay.

TODD It’s true.

ERIC No, yeah … I believe you …