The calmer you are the clear you think

 "Are you going to ask them?" Gabe gave his friend Rico a sly look. They'd been talking about Gabe's mom living with Rico's dad.

Rico almost scowled and shook his head, no while he looked under the hook of his car while Gabe was thinking about giving him his two cents worth about what to do with the engine, but he didn't really know. Besides, he knew Rico was here to talk about the Parents.

"I'm not going to ask if they are actually together."  

Rico stood up, almost bumping his head.

"You know, you want to." Gabe hugged himself, thinking it would take forever for Rico to change the oil. Maybe it didn't even need changing.

"Can't they just get married already?"

"You're one to talk, you're not married to Mona?" Gabe looked at him as if he must be just like his Dad.

"Now wait a minute. I don't even want to go there," he said he and Mona were fine the way things were.

"Yeah, yeah, as long as you do everything she tells you to do." Gabe couldn't help but point out how she was always a no-show at their dinners. "She must hate us, she doesn't like me or Sammie. And I'm your best bud..and maybe someday step-brother." But he didn't see that happening either.

"She doesn't hate you," Rico said. "She's just busy."

This time Gabe went to look under the hood.

Rico pressed his lips tight and hugged himself.  This time, Gabe actually checked the oil. It was fine.

"Look, you know I'm glad that you are with my sister," Rico told him. "And..and I know Mona isn't perfect. I think she realizes that too. It takes time you know." He nodded.

Just as Gabe expected. Rico never gave up. He always saw the glass half full while Gabe saw it half empty. He guessed because they saw things so differently made them the best of friends.