Who: The whole motley crew What: FAMILY GAME NIGHT (copyrighted to Hasbro) When: February 28 Where: The loft Status: In Progress
If there was one thing about Maureen that wasn't fleeting with the seasons, it was that she was persistent. Once she got an idea in her head she wouldn't budge, wouldn't back down, wouldn't stop bringing it up until it actually materialized. Which was why, in retrospect, it probably wasn't a good idea for Mark to have brought up Family Game Night to Maureen, even though he had been completely joking. Then again, their family did need to get together. Mimi was back, and Collins was around for the time being, and Mark and Joanne weren't too stressed out about the Buzzline thing, and Maureen was up for any sort of social event. But it had been a joke! It wasn't a real suggestion! But the moment Mark brought up Family Game Night, Maureen ran away with it.
It was like... he had planted a seed. A really volatile seed. Maureen didn't bring it back up for days after they had their conversation about it. Then, out of nowhere, "Hey, Marky, when's that game night?". A few more days: "Hey, Marky, did you get Scrabble yet?". And then, finally: "Hey, Marky, I bought a bag of chips today. When's the party?" And that's when Mark realized the seed had bloomed, and that there was no escaping the "party".
It had been up to him to let everyone else know that there was to be a game night in the loft. He had endured Roger's incredulous stares, Mimi's slightly bemused reaction, and Collins's acquiesce to come. He assumed Maureen had told Joanne, and she'd drag her here. But nonetheless, Mark had had to be the one to tell Maureen of the details of the game night, and her enthusiastic reaction made him realize that the idea was as ridiculous and random as it had been when he had jokingly brought it up.
But the evening of the game night came, and the loft was all ready for the various members of their little unit to wander in and turn into competitive vultures. Mark just hoped to God that Maureen was still bringing that bag of chips. And maybe some other foods, too, for their sanity's sake.