I couldn’t let some kind of awkward interaction - like him waking up with me cradled in his arms - drive a wedge between us.
Control it, Asher. You’ve got to.
As I made my way downstairs, I could hear the entire family yelling. I crept through the living room, stopping just outside the kitchen, and peered in. They all sat around the kitchen table having breakfast.
Is this what real families do? Eat meals together?
I could count on one hand the number of times my mom sat down to eat with me. Once I was six, my meal partner was aniPad that Grandma had bought us.
The chatter among the Morettis was cacophonous, bouncing off the walls and filling the home. They were all screaming at each other. I was taken aback for a moment, thinking something was wrong.
Are they fighting?
Soon, I realized that was just how they talked. They were all so loud. I’d only spent a handful of times with Theo’s entire family. Everyone was speaking at once, gestures animated, big smiles on their faces. The twins playfully argued with Theo, while Anthony and Maria chatted about their construction business, upcoming dinner dates with friends, and whatever came to mind. Maria would hand something to one of her kids, then plant a kiss on their forehead. Anthony would beam at her as she strutted around the kitchen, the queen in her domain.
That empty feeling began to consume me.
I don’t belong here. They’re a family. A happy family, and I’m just intruding.
I turned to go back upstairs, tempted to pack up my stuff and call Coach Hughes, when I heard my name being screamed from the kitchen.
“Asher, baby! Come in here and get some breakfast.”
My body froze, and I turned around to see them all smiling at me. “I feel bad,” I said. “I can’t keep eating your food.”
For a moment, I thought Maria’s head might explode. “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re a growing boy and a hockey player, to boot. You need protein. Eggs. Now!”
“Don’t argue with her, Asher,” Anthony called from the kitchen. “If you don’t sit and eat, she’ll chase you down until you do.”
I couldn’t hide the discomfort as I said, “Okay.” I made myway to an empty chair, but my whole body wanted to run away. It wasn’t right. I shouldn’t be eating their food and intruding on their morning. My mind started racing with all of the ways I was putting these wonderful people out, chastising myself for getting them involved in my crap.
Maria walked over and put eggs on my plate. Then, she kissed my forehead. I looked at her, eyes wide, and she gave me a wink. I didn’t know how to react, so I just smiled. My cheeks were on fire.
The conversation between Theo and the twins continued without skipping a beat—like my presence was totally normal.
“I told you it was the Saturn!” Reggie screamed at Theo.
Theo shook his head, “Nah. Really? I could have sworn it was the old Chevy.”
“No, we skidded off the road during an ice storm in the Chevy. We were in the Saturn when we broke down on the highway going to Ocean City,” Roxy added.
Maria walked over to set a plate of toast in the center of the table. “I swear, it’s amazing we’re alive with the clunkers you bought back then, Anthony.”
“You kids don’t know how lucky you have it! Back in the 80s, your uncle had a Ford Escort that wouldn’t start unless you gave it a push from behind.” Anthony pushed his hands forward to demonstrate.
“No way,” Theo said.
“It’s true,” Maria added. “Our first date, Uncle Sal and the girl he was dating at the time—”
“Linda,” Anthony added.
“That’s right, Linda. They were in front of that godforsaken car. I’m in the back all dolled up, nervous as hell because I’d been trying to get a date with old lunkhead over here formonths.”
“I had no idea she was into me,” Anthony added.
“None! So, I’m in the car. Your dad gets out to push, but he leaves the back door open.”
“Oh, Jesus, I forgot this one,” Anthony said while shaking his head.
