“You would think so, but Michael is my grandpa’s name he was a lawyer for the Army for a lot of years. I guess I’m supposed to live up to it somehow.”
“Tell me about your family.” I slow my steps, feeling like I need to be prepared.
“Karen and Kelsey are married to Will and Thomas, respectively. Karen is a neurologist and has twin girls, Andrea and Gracey. Kelsey graduated from Stanford with a degree in communications. She hasher own PR firm and two little girls, Emma and Katie. And she's pregnant; this one is actually supposed to be a boy.”
My head is spinning with the credentials he spouted off for his family. I focus instead on what I feel qualified to talk about. “That sounds like a lot of estrogen for one family”
“It is. Y chromosomes run when they see our family. My mom has all sisters and my dad has all sisters. I’m an anomaly. My mom didn't know what to do with me when I was a kid.”
“So what about your third sister?”
“Kandice just graduated from UW. She’s engaged to Jeff. They’re getting married in June. That will be Silvia’s crowning achievement. The third daughter’s wedding is her chance at absolute social perfection.”
“Is there anyone else I need to know about?”
“I could get started on my aunts and cousins. Most of them are girls too, but I think we’ve crammed enough for now.”
“Is there going to be a test?”
“Usually our last party game involves a quiz about the Stephen’s family. Anyone who fails it has to clean up after the party.” I must look panicked because he squeezes my arm. “Don’t worry about it, Jess. They’re all so giddy that I’m showing up with a date that I found on my own that they would love you even if you only had one eye and an extra arm.”
“That’s encouraging.”
He stops at the base of the stairs and looks into my eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. They will love you because you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful.”
I pull away, embarrassed. “Thanks. You obviously don’t know me very well. Besides, I don’t buy that you couldn’t have come up with a date on your own.”
“Oh really? Why would you say that?” Michael doesn’t move. He’s still looking at me.
“I assume you own a mirror. And I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed the effect you had on my brother's date when I went skiing.”
He laughs, tucks my arm closer into his side, and starts up the stairs. “Thanks, but I’m not into girls who are still in high school.”
“What about girls who are barely out of high school?” I ask. Then I realize it sounds like I’m flirting, or at least expressing interest.
“You seem a lot older than eighteen. I forgot you just got out of high school.”
“Well, I am very mature for my age.”
“I've noticed,” he says. “But to answer your question, when you were a social pariah in high school, it’s hard to remember that you're not that person anymore. I guess I can’t imagine anyone would be interested now.”
“Ski racing team? The red hair and those eyes?”Money too, I add to myself. “There’s no way you were as big of an outcast as I was.”
“That sounds like a challenge. Maybe later we can compare yearbook photos and see who was the bigger geek, but I’m sure I’ll win.”
“Don’t count on it,” I laugh, but there's no way I'm showing Michael pictures from my long awkward stage.
The door swings open before we reach it.Standing in the doorway is an attractive dark-haired girl who looks a little older than me. I assume she’s one of Michael’s sisters.
She turns and yells over her shoulder. “Mike's here, and he actually has a girl with him. A pretty girl.”
Michael glares at her jokingly. “Jess, this is Kandice, Kandice this is Jess.”
“Hi, Jess, nice to meet you.” Kandice has the same green eyes as Michael. They dance with mischief. “How much is my brother paying you to go out with him?”
“Kandice.” An older redheaded woman walks towards us. She has a slim figure and is wearing a fitted blue silk blouse, dark skirt, and a gold coiled necklace. I’m suddenly grateful that Michael picked out my outfit. “Don’t be so rude to your brother’s guest.” She turns to me. “It’s nice to meet you, Jessica. I’m Michael’s mother, Silvia Stephens. Thank you for coming.” She leans over and kisses me on the cheek—literally something I’ve only seen done in movies.
“You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Stephens.” I try not to sound overwhelmed. It’s an understatement.
