She rolls her eyes affectionately. “It’s still hot,” she reminds the rest of us.
I start with a breadstick, watching Trevor to see if I can spot any of that odd expression he had when he first walked into the room. But he seems fine, blowing on a forkful of lasagna before testing a small bite.
“This is really delicious,” he tells my mom.
“I’m glad you like it,” she says warmly. “The recipe is a family favorite.”
“By family, she means me,” Todd interjects. “It’s my favorite.”
“Um. It wasmyfavorite first,” I put in, somewhat indignant. “You’ve only been here like two minutes.”
“Try three-and-a-half years,” Lumi says matter-of-factly, referring to the length of our friendship. “And you guys can have the same favorite. It’s allowed, you know.”
“You all are just the sweetest,” my mom says, smitten as always with my friends.
Todd sticks his tongue out when she’s not looking, and I toss the last piece of my breadstick his way.
We chat about our classes some over the remainder of lunch, and my mom asks Trevor a bit more about his life. He tells her about his uncle, about his jobs at the tattoo shop and the bar, and even what he’s reading right now for fun. My mom is attentive, not that I expected otherwise, but I notice her waning as the meal progresses.
Todd seems to notice the same thing. “You feeling okay, Ms. Newport? You didn’t eat much.”
“Just a little tired,” she says, waving off his concern.
“Are you sick?” I ask, feeling her forehead.
Her lips turn into a smile. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“Have you been tired often lately?” Todd asks, a note in his tone I don’t like.
My mom frowns a little. “Maybe a touch more than usual. But I’m sure it’s just seasonal. You know how it is when the days are shorter this time of year.”
“Sure,” Todd says slowly. “Um. Your appetite, though. It’s normally okay?”
“Todd?” I ask, voice low.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” he says, his smile tight. “When’s the last time you saw your doctor?”
“I’m honestly not sure,” my mom answers. “Maybe a year or more ago? I’m probably due, truth be told.”
Todd nods, getting out of his seat and rounding the table. He feels my mom’s neck with his fingertips, an act that has her shooting me an amused smile. I try to smile back, but my gut is hanging somewhere near the bottom of my socks.
“Probably just a cold,” Todd says at last. “But it wouldn’t hurt to see your doctor. Get the usual bloodwork and all that.”
I glance Lumi’s way. She looks as perplexed as me.
“Well,” my mom says lightly as Todd sits back down, “now that…whateverthatwas is taken care of, would anyone like dessert?”
We all agree to brownies, eating at the table as Lumi regales us with humorous mishaps from her Judo classes. I appreciate the change of topic, even as my mind occasionally wanders back to Todd’s concern.
We leave midafternoon so Trevor has plenty of time to get ready for his shift at the bar. My mom hugs us all tightly before we go, chuckling softly when my hug lasts a little longer than usual. I glance back at the house as we walk to the car, and my mom waves.
As soon as we’re inside the vehicle, I round on Todd. “What the fuck was that?”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Isaac, I’m not going to speculate on something I don’t truly know. I’m not a doctor. And like I said, it’s probably nothing. People get fatigued sometimes. They have appetite loss. They get swollen lymph nodes. All symptoms that could be correlated with an immune response related to an everyday cold.”
“Or?” I say pointedly.
“Or it could be an immune response related to something else. Any number of things. Like I said, I’m not going to speculate when it’s not my place.”
