She took off her coat again, folding it neatly and placing it between us before picking up the menu. She studied the specials while Zara grinned at some joke my dad made. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Shannon. It was just overwhelming to be with her in person. She didn’t update her social media very often, so it wasn’t like I could look at pictures and cyber stalk her like the pathetic man I was, thirsty for any crumbs of information about her life.
According to Mam, Shannon worked a lot, took care of Zara, and occasionally went out to dinner with her friends. But she wasn’t with her all the time. There could be a boyfriend Mam didn’t know about. Shannon had been somewhat cagey back at the school when I questioned if she was seeing anyone.
The thought of her with anyone else was like a knife through the heart. Though the logical part of my brain knew it was going to happen sooner or later.
“Hey, everyone! So sorry I’m late. My taxi got stuck in traffic on the way here from the station.” My sister appeared, windswept and flushed, unwrapping a long scarf from around her neck.
“Aunt Frannie,” Zara exclaimed.
“Hello, Zarzar,” she replied, giving her a hug before her gaze fell on me.
“Well, would you look who it is.”
I slid from the booth and wrapped my arms around her. It had been months since I’d seen my sister, and she looked well, her light brown hair was way longer than when last I’d seen her.
“Good to see you, bro. Wow, you’re looking fantastic.” She patted my stomach. “Are those actual abs?”
“I’ve always had abs,” I proclaimed, and she chuckled.
“If you say so.”
My eyes met Shannon’s. She’d been observing our exchange, but her gaze quickly flicked back down to the menu.
“Shannon, come give me a hug,” Fran said, and my ex shuffled from the booth to hug my sister. I noticed her say something low in Shannon’s ear, but the only part I really caught was, “You okay?”
Man, did everyone see me as some sort of villain for turning up without warning? The truth was I’d been yearning to come home for months. I was sick of the road, sick of sleeping on buses or in soulless hotel rooms. I just wanted to be with my family.
Shannon slid back into the booth, and I let Fran sit next to her since she probably didn’t want me that close. I was prepared to honour whatever boundaries she needed—within reason.
“So, where are you staying while you’re home?” Fran asked.
“He’s staying with us,” Mam told her.
Fran’s eyebrows jumped. “In your old bedroom?” I nodded, and she looked to Mam. “I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t turn it into a craft room after all.”
I shot my mother an amused look. “You were going to do that?”
“Well, you’d been gone so long we weren’t sure you’d ever want to stay there again.”
Of course, I’d want to. My childhood bedroom held only good memories, so many of them involving Shannon. It was where we’d hung out and played video games and later where we’d chill and watch endless episodes ofRed Dwarf. Her parentshad been workaholics and were barely ever home, so she’d spent most of her evenings at my house.
“Don’t worry, son. I won’t let her do it,” Dad put in with a wink just as the waiter arrived to take our order. I opted for the beef tagliatelle while Zara ordered her favourite, spinach ravioli. She was such a healthy kid, probably because Shannon was so great at teaching her about vegetables and nutrition. It was safe to say I never would’ve ordered anything that involved spinach when I was eight.
“So, are you thinking of finally buying a place, or will you be staying with Mam and Dad indefinitely?” Fran asked, taking a sip of water.
“He can stay with us for as long as he needs,” Mam put in. “There’s no rush to buy. The market is crazy right now.”
She shot me a reassuring look, and I knew both my parents would be happy to have me home for as long as I needed. They’d missed me just as much as I’d missed them.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” I said.
“Dad, if you buy a house can I help you pick one?” Zara asked excitably.
My gaze softened. “Of course, honey.”
“And can I have my own room?”
“That goes without saying.”
