Nonna is standing at the stove stirring something that smells wonderful, while Everett and Hope are setting the table.
Ethan is at the bar watching Nonna cook with a smile on his face.
This feels completely normal and absolutely strange.
Milia walks up behind me— “Hey, Bro.” —body checking me and then walking past. “Nonna!” She walks up and gives Nonna a hug. “When’s dinner?”
“Soon.” Nonna notices me and gives a questioning look.
I shrug in response.
“How about I make you a little appetizer?” Nonna walks over to the fridge.
“Can I help? Daire and I did some extra strength training today, and I could eat your arm. I’m so hungry.”
“No cannibalism in the kitchen.” Ethan smiles at her.
“Nonno, that would only happen if we were stranded up in the mountains with a broken leg and no way to hunt.” Milia’s sense of humor needs work.
“You’d have to do it the right way. Make sure you picked the oldest or weakest person. Then preserve the meat so you don’t waste their life.”
And now that got weird. Note to self: Remind the pilots to give all the jets a thorough inspection and tune-up. And make sure Milia doesn’t fly with me.
“Everett.”
The boy’s smile fades as he turns to me.
“Dad, Everett came over for dinner, isn’t that cool? We’re going to play some video games after dinner. Want to join us? He’s really good. He can be on my team.”
What? “You’re ditching your dear old dad as a partner?”
“Everett is better than even you.”
“Oh really?”
“It has to do with age and hand to eye coordination,” Everett chimes in. “The older you get, the slower you get.”
“Those are fighting words.”
“Bring it on, old man.” Everett beckons me with his hand.
“After dinner, you’re going down. But first—” I don’t want to do this. “—my parents want to talk to you. In the library.”
Everett raises an eyebrow, but follows me.
Once we’re in the hallway, he asks, “What’s with the stealth?”
“I haven’t told Hope or Milia.”
“Are you planning to?” There’s a bit of hesitation in his voice.
He’s worried I won’t accept him. I stop. “Yes. You’re part of this family now. We’re having a family dinner on Sunday. I’ll introduce you around then.”
“Oh. Okay. Because you know, you don’t have to. I’m fine. I can go back to Willow Street.”
I’m doing everything wrong today, it seems. “The only time you’re going back there is to visit your friends. This is your family.”
“Then why does it feel like I’m going into a job interview that I’m not going to get?”
