“When I left the room. Or told you Dad didn’t like being called a robot, or to leave my stuff alone. I told you in a thousand ways it was too much for me.”
“Nico, you could have left the room for any reason. Dad doesn’t mind the robot thing—and I asked—so I thought you were being a little jerk instead of assuming you were projecting. None of those were you telling me to stop because you didn’t like it. You said I should have known, but I can’t unless you tell me.”
He’d said similar words to Valerie, so how had he never applied them to his own situation? Loving someone didn’t mean being a mind reader. “You’re right. I should have said something.”
She blew out her breath. “Sorry.”
It was only one word, but one he never thought he’d hear from Stefanie.
“I’m sorry too,” he said. “For making you feel bad about who you are.”
“I liked getting a rise out of you. It’s immature, I know. I should have knocked it off decades ago but I guess it became a habit?” She paused. “A role. It was a role I played and got stuck in. Loud, obnoxious Steffy.”
Nico slumped in the chair. “Yeah.”
She snorted. “Wasn’t that your cue to tell me I’m not loud and obnoxious?”
“I mean, you are loud?” He paused. “That’s okay, though. I like quiet, and that’s fine too. We just need to know when to give each other some space.”
“Like a code word?”
“Or saying, ‘I need a break.’”
“How about shut it?”
“Time out?” Nico suggested.
“Pipe down?”
“Zip it?”
They both laughed.
“Whichever one we use, I’d like to try.” She coughed. “It’s been a long time since we hung out. Mom and Dad miss you coming by for family dinner.”
“Mom and Dad?”
“Me too.”
He was glad this wasn’t a video call because he was blinking. A lot, and looking up at the suddenly blurry ceiling fan. “I do too.”
There was a long and awkward silence. “Okay,” she said.
“I’ll check the group chat,” he promised, glad to have a concrete action.
“We’ll find something that works for both Mom and Dad.” She paused. “I’m glad you called, Nico.”
“I should have called earlier.” He rubbed at his eyes. “I’m sorry about Mike.”
“Me too, but thanks. It’s making me think about a lot of things. Um, want to come over for dinner sometime? Soon?”
“You hate cooking.”
“Delivery exists and I can make cookies.”
He felt a pressure release from his chest. “With nuts?”
She laughed, her old Steffy laugh that boomed out and scooped up everyone in its exuberance. “With gross nuts, yes.”
