Maya is trying to coordinate with her family.
Nikko is suggesting a small party.
My mom is offering to help with decorations.
And somehow, everyone is heard. Somehow, it all makes sense.
Eleni bangs her sippy cup on the high chair tray, adding percussion.
“No, no, not a small party.” Sofia’s hands are flying now. “The whole family. All the cousins. Her yiayia from Greece wants to video call?—”
“We’re not putting a two-year-old on video call for three hours, Mama.” Nikko’s trying to be reasonable.
“Your yiayia wants to see her great-granddaughter!”
“Then Yiayia can come here.”
“She’s ninety-three, Nikko. She’s not flying from Athens for a second birthday. I’m lucky I got her to come this spring for Easter!”
“Then we video call for ten minutes. Not three hours.”
Maya’s trying not to laugh. She catches my eye, mouthshelp.
But I can’t help. I can barely breathe.
Because Alex just put her hand on mine under the table. Squeezes.
I look at her. She’s smiling at her family, laughing at something Dimitri said, but her hand is gripping mine like I’m the only thing keeping her grounded.
Or maybe I’m the one being grounded.
“Dylan.”
Dimitri’s voice cuts through the chaos. That tone. The one that means he’s about to enjoy himself at someone else’s expense.
His eyes are twinkling. “How’s your father?”
I close my eyes. “We’re really doing this?”
“Doing what?” Pure innocence. “I’m asking about your father. Who is alive. With his dog.”
The entire table goes quiet for half a second.
Then my mom snorts into her wine glass.
“Oh God,” Alex mutters beside me.
“Here we go,” Nikko calls from where he’s standing by the kitchen pass.
“I hate all of you,” I announce to the table.
“We love you too,” Sofia says sweetly. “Now tell us about Winston.”
“The weiner dog!” Dimitri announces loud enough for the entire table to hear.
“Baba, stop.” Alex is trying not to laugh. Failing spectacularly.
“What?” Dimitri spreads his hands. “I care about Dylan’s father. And his puppy. His new puppy.”
