Kyle
No, but there’s Bolognese. I’ll get things started when I get home. U
“It seemsJon invited my uncle Mike and aunt Ellen to stay for dinner tonight. He figured we could break the news to them about moving to Hawthorne Bluff,” Kyle told Neil while they rode the Metro home.
“Okaay,” Neil said slowly. “I’m thinking you weren’t ready to tell them yet.”
“I’m just afraid that they won’t react well, because they’re getting used to seeing Wyatt whenever they want. But I guess it just makes sense to get it over with.”
“It’ll be okay,” Neil reassured him. “Just stay calm.”
“Wanna come over for dinner and run interference for us?” Kyle asked, only half-jokingly.
“I’ll pass, thanks.” Neil grinned.
After kissing Wyatt and Ellen, Kyle changed into jeans and a T-shirt and set to work in the kitchen, chopping the makings for a salad to go with the spaghetti ala Bolognese.
“Are you sure I can’t help you?” Ellen asked.
“I’m sure. The sauce is thawing in the microwave, then I’ll pop it in a saucepan to heat up. And once the salad is done, there’s really nothing else to do except boil the spaghetti. We can sit and chat until Jon and Mike get here.”
And that’s exactly what they did. Kyle opened a bottle of tempranillo, and they sipped and talked, mostly about Wyatt, who was sitting on the floor happily chattering with his stuffed elephant. Soon they heard Jon and Mike come up the stairs.
“Hi, guys,” Kyle said. He kissed Jon while Mike bussed Ellen on the cheek.
“Dada,” Wyatt said, followed by an almost shout of “Pa!” Then he lifted his arms, waiting to be picked up.
Jon obliged, hugging the boy as Mike kissed his forehead.
“That’s new,” Mike said.
“Yeah, apparently he started that while we were in Westport, during our honeymoon,” Kyle explained. “Looks like he’s making some sort of connections in that little brain of his.”
“I’m really happy he’s adjusting so well,” Mike said, but a look of concern played across his face. “I just hope that someday he learns about Mike and Becky too.” Mike’s voice broke.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Mike,” Kyle reassured him. “Jon and I have already discussed it.”
Jon chimed in. “When he’s older, we have every intention of telling him about Mike and Becky. They’re his birth parents, after all, and they’ll always be part of this family.”
“Thank you,” Ellen said, her voice filled with emotion.
Just then, the timer went off in the kitchen.
“Okay, dinner is ready,” Kyle announced, breaking the somber mood. “I’ll get this guy into his highchair. Jon, can you pour the wine, please?”
They kept the conversation light over dinner, but once the plates were empty and coffee had been poured, Kyle looked at his aunt and uncle.
“In addition to spending some time with you tonight, there’s something we wanted to tell you about.”
“Of course,” Mike said. “What is it?”
“Several weeks before the wedding, Jon and I were talking about our future.”
“What do you mean, your future?” Ellen asked. “That’s sounds a bit, I dunno, morbid.”
“Oh, nothing like that,” Kyle explained. “Just about where we see ourselves down the road. And we both agreed that we’re not sure we want to raise Wyatt here in DC. It’s a big, loud city, and don’t get me started on the politics that are impossible to get away from.”
“Are you saying you want to move?” Ellen’s voice rose in pitch ever so slightly.
