“Thank you,” Lumen said as she took the seat next to Evanne.
“Can you come for dinner again?”
That hadn’t taken long.
Lumen chuckled, the sound sincere enough to make me think sitting with one of her favorite students was the best thing for her right now. “I’m not going to make your dad cook for three again.”
“I can cook!”
“Aye, is that right?” I asked, pulling the car out of the school gate. “Toast for supper? Mac and cheese?”
Evanne made a face. “I can follow a recipe, Daddy. It can’t be that hard. Besides, if I cook, you can work.”
“Why don’t I cook?” Lumen suddenly offered. “It would give you a chance to work and give me the chance to repay your kindness.”
“Can she, Dad?” Evanne begged, her hands linked under her chin as she pleaded with me through the reflection of the rearview mirror. “It would be so fun.”
I liked the idea of Lumen in my home again, but I worried that it’d seem like too much. Still, itwouldgive me the opportunity to get some work done without needing to keep an ear out for Evanne. Besides, Lumen still seemed shaken by whatever happened at the school. Maybe she just wanted a distraction and denying her that would be a cruel thing to do.
“Aye, all right, if that’s what she wants.”
Once we arrived at the house, Lumen and Evanne did an inventory of the contents of the fridge and cupboards. Since Tuesday had brought the weekly groceries this morning, we were fully stocked, though I wasn’t entirely certain of what we were stocked with. I didn’t want to feel like a recluse while I had a guest over, so I brought my laptop out from my office to work in the dining room. At least, that was the lie I told myself about why I wasn’t in my office.
It had nothing to do with how I couldn’t keep my eyes off my daughter’s teacher.
They settled on pork loin chops, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower. Impressive endeavor. I let them do their thing while I worked and listened. Or mostly listened and tried to work while keeping my eyes to myself.
Evanne did most of the talking, as usual, reading different things from the recipe and then returning to her story without missing a beat. Lumen smiled and prepared the meal, adding in little comments here and there. She looked in better spirits, if still a little distracted.
As they worked, the apartment filled with the smell of roasted veggies and pork, and Evanne rambled about how she was okay with eating pigs and chickens but still didn’t like to eat cows because they were too cute. She used to think pigs were cute, too, until one bumped her into a puddle of mud at a farm once. Her story made Lumen laugh, and that was damn good to hear.
“Soup’s on!” Evanne announced after Lumen told her quietly that supper was ready.
“It smells delicious,” I said, folding up my laptop and putting it away like I’d actually been accomplishing anything. “Thank you, lass.”
Lumen blushed. “It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”
The food was heavenly, and the first several minutes were spent in silence as the three of us ate. The fact that Evanne wasn’t even trying to get words in between bites was a testament to the quality of the meal.
“Can you read me someCharlotte’s Webtonight?” Evanne asked once half of her plate was empty. “Mommy got it for me as a back-to-school present.”
“I thought you didn’t like pigs,” Lumen replied.
“But I like spiders,” Evanne countered
“I’m not sure you’ll be a big fan of this story, then, sweetie,” Lumen said, stifling a laugh.
“Please?”
“You’ve done it now, lass,” I said. “Her secret weapon.”
Evanne stuck out her bottom lip and gave Lumen puppy-dog eyes. She hadn’t seriously tried to use that expression since she was about four or five. Then, about a year ago, she’d learned that she could make most adults laugh with it. Now, she used it to try to get her way by being charming.
She got that from her Uncle Brody.
“Don’t fall for it,” I said, grinning. “You’re not obligated to read anything.”
“You’re seriously able to say no to that face?”
