Adapting to the cold, Simon wore a flannel shirt that hugged his body. I had to resist running my hands all over the softness. Did he understand that those rolled-up sleeves were a tease? I know he undid an extra button to drive me crazy. He had me figured out.
I jumped at the sound of the bug zapper. It could have been snowing, and the black flies would have insisted on joining us for dinner. With the number of lanterns going, it was sure to attract the little devils. It didn’t matter how many citronella torches Mom had going; they’d show up with gas masks and sweaters. I almost preferred the mosquitoes.
“You’re going to overcook it,” Gerald said.
“Are you questioning my grilling?”
“Good sir, I think I am.”
“Those are fighting words.”
Simon clacked the tongs at Gerald. I never thought I’d hear the day. Before Simon started cooking dinner for me, I assumed meat should be the same color all the way through. After that statement, I received a cooking lesson, and he made me watch a video on the chemistry of cooking meat. I learned to keep my epiphanies to myself.
“If it gets any rarer?—”
“I want to hear it moo,” Gerald said. “Fifty years of raising them, I’ve earned it.” Mom had found herself a true farmer. He had spent his youth working in the fields before taking over the family farm. When he decided to enjoy histwilight, he sold it to his employees. Now, he talked about the places he wanted to travel. Mom had never been one to travel, but now even she had a passport, and was ready to become a Jetsetter.
“Jason spent his entire life eating steaks well done.”
“Whoa, now. Don’t bring me into this fight.”
“Shoe leather,” Gerald said. He rested a hand on Simon’s shoulder while the other raised a glass of bourbon. Simon clanked his glass with Gerald’s before taking a sip. These two were becoming fast friends over their love of food and expensive alcohol.
“Don’t drink too much, or you’ll be sleeping in the spare room.”
“Hey! Until I’m gone, that’smyroom,” Lucy chimed in as she darted by us with bottles of wine. “Stay out of my room. Both of you!”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m going to miss my boyfriend’s ex-wife.”
“Think that’s bad? How about my lady’s son’s boyfriend’s ex-wife?” Gerald took another drink. “Try explaining that to somebody.”
“Lady?” Simon and I said in unison.
“You can say girlfriend,” I said. It had taken time, but Gerald had grown on me. The white goatee and his insistence on always wearing a scally cap made it hard not to like him. “Just never say it where I can hear it.” I flashed a grin and gave him a wink.
“Susan,” he shouted. “What do you say? Want to be my girlfriend?”
Amanda pushed her way out the backdoor while holding a pot filled with corn on the cob. “I never thought I’d call myself the normal one. And here we are. You’re all so weird.”
“Steaks are done,” Gerald shouted.
Simon shot him a dirty look. “Fine. They’re done.”
The house emptied, with everybody bringing side dishes to the table. After a couple of trips and far too much food, I was surprised there was enough room for the occupants. We each took a seat. I caught Mom glancing at the empty place in honor of my father. Where her eyes normally held a sadness, I could tell she set it aside, focusing on those that filled the table.
“Before we get started, I wanted to say a few words.”
Lucas froze, a biscuit already half gone. Lucy put her arm around his shoulders, pulling him close as he continued gnawing away. Simon rested a hand on my back as I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“A few months ago, our weekly dinners were just Jason and me?—”
“Hey,” Amanda said.
“A few months ago, our weekly dinners were just Jason, Amanda, and me.”
“Much better.” Amanda had a bottle of wine already in hand. She’d claim it for herself, and if anybody reached for the bottle, she’d slap their hands.
“Our family was always small. I didn’t imagine needing a bigger table. Especially with how much Jason refused to give me grandkids.” She smiled at me, but it didn’t foolanyone. There was no joke in her statement. “And now, we?—”
