“Maija has done our SWOT analysis,” Delilah informs us. “My strengthis weaponizing gossip.” She beams.
Dorothy looks slightly jealous.
“Mine is being generous with butter.”
She notices Antonio’s empty plate.
“Another muffin, dear?”
Flipping a page in her notebook, Dorothy turns back to Antonio.
“How did you sleep? Harold spotted Caspian in Bed, Bath & Beyond last week. Did you choose the hard, medium, or soft pillow?”
“Medium,” he mutters, giving me a shy glance.
I smile reassuringly. The soft pillow was the one he used for other purposes.
“Wonderful.” Delilah beams as if she were personally in charge of all medium pillows.
“I underlined it,” Dorothy comments.
Delilah leans toward Antonio.
“Would you like to join our Sudoku club? It’s very low-key.”
Antonio looks at me and gives a small shake of his head. “Maybe not,” he says.
“A strong yes,” Dorothy writes.
“Scratch the ‘yes’ and write ‘no’ instead,” I say mildly, meeting Dorothy’s eyes.
She blushes. “Scratching the yes, adding the no.”
“The next question is from Steve,” Delilah continues. “Does Antonio have a temper?”
Antonio puts his muffin down with great dignity.
“I do not! Tell Steve to mind his own business.”
The twins exchange a solemn look.
“Temper,” Dorothy murmurs, writing carefully, “is on the assertive–explosive scale.”
Then they look up at me.
“Are you happy?”
They look so sincere. Like they genuinely care about my happiness.
I clear my throat, feeling touched.
I step behind Antonio and kiss the top of his head.
“Very happy,” I say.
“Oh,” Dorothy whispers, looking at Delilah.
“So lovely,” Delilah whispers, looking back at her sister. “Steve is going to cry.”
