“Not for me, I’m afraid,” Dad said as he sat down. “Maybe your brother could take you?”

“No can do,” Nate said as he dropped onto his chair. “I’ve already got plans.”

“Of course you do,” I said. “Playing video games in someone’s basement, I bet.”

“Actually,” Nate said, looking smug, “I’m helping out at the STEM camp. They’re building robots and needed a hand.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling a bit sheepish. Robots weren’t my thing, but I had to admit that sounded kind of awesome. “That’s wonderful, Nate,” Mom said, reaching for the salad. “How did you get involved in that?”

Nate explained how his friend is a counselor at the camp and had asked him if he wanted to volunteer since he is such a computer whiz. It was the first thing I’d seen him get excited about in a long time. Maybe all those hours holed up in the basement and at his computer weren’t a total waste after all. My nerdy brother seemed almost…cool. Huh.

When we were done eating, we took our dishes to the sink so Dad could load them in the dishwasher. “No reason you two can’t still go see a movie,” he said. “I can drop you off at the mall on my way to the mechanic.”

“Cool,” I said. Oren and I shared a smile. “Although we’re very sorry you can’t come with us!” I added quickly.

Oren nodded.

“Well, that makes me feel better,” Dad said, laughing.

“I mean, come on,” I said, reaching into his back pocket where he keeps his wallet. “Who will pay if you don’t go?”

“You have a job!” Dad said, angling out of my reach.

“Movies are sooooo expensive though.”

Mom snorted as Dad rolled his eyes.

“Fine, fine, movie’s on me.” He pointed at the table. “Finish clearing up first.”

I grabbed the jar of pickles. “What about popcorn?”

Dad let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I’ll spring for tickets and popcorn.”

I grinned over at Oren. He looked pretty happy as he tossed back the last of his lemonade.

Even though it would have been fun if Dad had come, maybe it was going to be even more fun with just the two of us. Just a couple of—well, not friends, obviously. Just a couple of kids going to see a movie together, that’s all.

I didn’t really clue in until it was time to leave that Dad was going to drive us to the mall in Ecto—the hearse.

“Uh, Dad?” I said as he reached for the big silver door handle. “Are you sure we should…?” I nodded toward Oren. He was kind of gawking at the long vintage Cadillac.

“Oh, jeez. Yeah, guess you’re right,” he said. “Let’s take the car. I’ll swing back here and swap out before I go to the mechanic.”

Oren shook his head and pointed at Ecto.

Dad frowned. “You want to go in this?”