Gabriella came out of the house carrying a big bowl of fresh fruit salad. “What did I miss?”
“Oh, just your husband being his usual comical self,” Annette said.
Their special guest rounded the corner of the home to meet everyone in the backyard.
“Dad!” Kizzy rushed over and threw her arms around her father.
“Dr. Samuels, I presume!” Antonio met him with a smile and handshake. “Welcome to our little gathering.”
Aaron laughed. “Little? Thank you for having me. Are you sure you can squeeze in another person?”
“The more the merrier,” Gabriella said.
Everyone took a place at the table and started serving themselves family-style, passing bowls and platters around. Antonio came over with a pile of grilled chicken and went back for a mound of hamburgers.
Chloe jumped up. “Oh! I forgot the potato salad.” She disappeared into thin air and returned quickly with a large bowl in her hands. Then her jaw dropped. “I’m sorry. Does Aaron know about everyone here?”
Aaron smiled. “I know many of you are phoenixes. Some are witches. A few are even dragons, I believe.”
Chloe slapped a hand over her heart. “Whew. I wasn’t sure if I was going to have to wipe your mind of my little disappearing act.”
“Well, I didn’t know you could do that, but watch this…” Suddenly, Aaron disappeared and reappeared a few feet away.
Kizzy chuckled. “Nice one, Dad.” She glanced around the table at the others. Nobody batted an eyelash. “My dad is a witch, like the rest of my family.”
Aaron smiled. “Not exactly like the rest. Each person in the family has their own special power. Ruthie, my youngest, is very psychic. Kizzy here is a natural healer. I just have this one little trick of invisibility.” He shrugged. “Not that useful, since I don’t like to eavesdrop.”
“Don’t feel bad,” Gabriella said. “The only power I have is the hairy eyeball.”
Most of her sons laughed.
“Yeah, we all know that look,” Luca said. “The one our mother gives us that means ‘don’t even think about it.’ She perfected that before I was born.”
Gabriella smirked. “And that’s why you all turned out so well.”
The rest of the dinner went as expected. Lively chatter around the picnic tables, different conversations in different areas. Passing salt, passing butter, passing gas and the occasional burp.
When it was fairly quiet, between dinner and dessert, Dawn spoke up. “I need some opinions on something.”
“Go ahead, dear.” Annette riveted her attention on her granddaughter.
“Gaia offered me a position, and I was told she wouldn’t be mad if I turned it down. So I did. I’m really worried she won’t be happy with me now.”
“Wow,” Kristine said. “What job did she offer you?”
“She offered to make me the muse of technology.” Dawn grimaced. “I’m afraid I can’t do it. I only have an associate’s degree in computer science.”
Annette leaned back. “What did I tell you about sayingonlywhen you’re talking about your associate’s degree?”
Dawn rose and flung her arm out as she announced loudly and proudly, “I have an associate’s degree!”
Luca chuckled. “Don’t be a smart-ass, honey.”
Dawn sat her butt down on her spot at the bench. “Sorry.”
“What exactly are you worried about?” Gabriella asked. “Gaia’s reaction to your saying no? Or the idea that if you said yes, you wouldn’t be able to do it?”
Dawn sighed. “Both, I guess.”
