Answer Brian (uses Karma)

{if Shame < 50
}"Shit. Brian's calling me, Lisa. I'll see you at the restaurant."
"How come you are at his beck and call when he can't give you the time of day?"
"Oh, stop it. It could be important." {else
}"Girl, I've got to let you go, Brian's calling."
"Rude!"
"Come on, don't be like that, it could be important. I'll text you when I'm on my way to the restaurant." {endif
}
"Fine. Bye, bitch."
Beth switched over to Brian's call.
{if Shame < 30
}"What's up?" {elseif Shame < 70
}"Hey baby. What's going on?" {else
}"Hi, babe! Did you need something, or just miss me already?" {endif
}
"Hey, babe. I just got off the phone with Kyle." Kyle was Brian's little brother, who they had hoped would be the best man if he could get discharged from the Marines in time. "He's at LAX, just landed!"
{if Shame < 30
}"That's cool." Good. We don't have to scramble for a replacement. {elseif Shame < 70
}"Oh, that's great. I'm really happy for you that he's home." {else
}Beth smiled with joy. "Oh, baby! That's such good news."{endif
}
"Yeah. It's great news. So, listen{if Shame <50
}..."
Uh oh.
"...{else
}. {endif
}Kyle needs a place to crash for a while. So I told him he could sleep on our couch. I told him where the hide-a-key is."
Beth {if Shame < 50
}had trouble keeping the irritation out of her voice. "Brian! You should have asked me first if I was okay with that! What about your parents?"
"I'm sorry. It's just..." his voice sounded hesitant. {else
}felt a twinge of annoyance, but she smoothed it away. "Baby. We've talked about this. You have to ask me if stuff like this is okay before doing it. It's my home, too."
"I know...I'm sorry. I just didn't think it would be an issue so I just told him..."
Beth sighed. Some things are never going to change, are they? "Why can't he stay in Newport Beach with your parents?" There was a pregnant pause, and Beth got the sense that Brian was struggling with something.{endif
}"Listen...there's still a lot of...unresolved stuff between Kyle and my parents. Especially my dad." Beth blinked in surprise. Brian had never mentioned any of this before. "I don't want to get into details but it's just better for everyone if Kyle can...deal with that at his own pace."
"Ok...it's fine I guess." She looked down at her sudsy self. "Guess I'll get out of the tub now."
"...sorry."
"I'll talk to you later{if Shame < 50
}...unless you wanted me to be naked when your brother gets here."
"That's not very funny, Beth."
"Goodbye, Brian." {else
}, I have to get dressed before he gets here. I love you."
"Love you too." {endif
}