“He gets shy around parents. And I guess aunts and uncles,”Sean said, causing Ari to giggle.
“Seriously? You get shy?”I broke out in a smile when he shrugged again.“I didn’t know you have normal emotions.”It was adorable.
“Okay,”Aunt Helenreturned with both hands behind her back,“close your eyes and put your hands out.”I did as she said and a bundle of fabric was placed in my hands.“Open.”
Ari and I held up our gifts, then gasped in unison. Mine was a caped supervillain shirt and I was in love.
“I love it!”Ari squealed,marveling her new shirt.
“I love mine too! Thank you, thank you!”
We both hugged Aunt Helen, then traded to examine each other’s gifts. Hers was a magenta blouse that said ‘Do I love cetaceans? Dolphinitely!’ I cocked my head and thought so hard, but I couldn’t make sense of it.
“This is perfect for you,”Ari said, handing mine back.
“I don’t get yours.”I gave hers back, hoping she would explain.
“Cetaceans are a category of aquatic mammals thatinclude dolphins. And it says dolphinitely instead of definitely.”
“I get it.” I laughed as it connected. That was pretty funny.“We have to change. I finally have a cape.”
I took off for the stairs with Ari on my heels. Ichanged into my caped shirt and black shorts to go with it. When I left my room Ari was still changing, so I ran to the stairs without her.
I reached the landing before shouting:“Look at me!”and jumping over the banister. It was a free fall down. My hair whipped around my face—Aunt Helen and Uncle Tom were both shouting—but suddenly I was in someone’s arms.
“You could’ve broken something.”Denniswas holding me bridal style.
“But did you see my cape fly?”
He laughed and set me down. “I did see.” He smiled as I spun to make it fly again.
“Emy, you gave me a damn heart attack.” Aunt Helen was clutching her chest. “Is that safe for you? Can you do that now?”
“I think so.” I spun once more as Ari came prancing downstairs in her new shirt. And then a familiar beeping came from the kitchen.“Pietime.”I skipped back to the dining room, where Sean was waiting.“What kind of pie do you like?”I asked him, retaking my seat.
“Pecan and apple.”
“Perfect.‘Cause we have apple pie and pumpkin pie. And french vanilla ice cream.”I licked my lips in anticipation.
“Pumpkin is my favorite.”Dennis sat beside me.
“You have a favorite kind ofpie?”I was surprised. He didn’t seem to have a favorite anything, except for his favorite color and a handful of favorite books.
“Yeah. I like pie.”
“Interesting.”I made a mental note. I’d have to remember that for if I ever felt like cooking for him. Or baking. Or maybe just buying one since I almost burn places down when I cook.
Uncle Tom came in holding two pies, followed by Ari, who was balancing a third pie and two large cartons of ice cream. I happy danced as the food was placed on the table. Aunt Helen came in next carrying dessert plates. She passed them out while Ari opened an ice cream.
“Does everybody want some?”she asked. There was a chorus of affirmations.“What kind do you want, Sean?”
“Apple.”
She sliced a huge piece of apple pie, then gave him a large spoon so he could get ice cream to go on top. She asked everyone but me, since she already knew what I was gonna say. She cut me a sliver of each pie and piled a ton of ice cream on top, then got herself a slice of pumpkin without ice cream and sat down.
We all ate in a content silence, though every once in a while Uncle Tom would shout about how delicious the pie was. I almost choked laughing the first time; it caught Dennis and Sean by surprise and Sean had almost dropped his spoon. But after the first couple of times they seemed used to it, so I had nothing to laugh at anymore.
“I’m so full.”I leaned back and rubbed my stomach.“I think I ate too much.”
