The kids say goodbye to Mr Yang, who stops on the landing.
“As for you,” he points a finger at my face. “Don’t make me mention your name to my friends.”
“W-w-what?”
“We understand each other.”
“Actually, no.” I follow him outside, hoping for more explanation, but Mr Yang has already taken the stairs. Confused and worried by this brief exchange, I go back to the apartment where the kids are waiting for me.
“So…” I slip off my jacket and leave it by the entrance. “What are you doing… What…”
They cross their arms over their chests, all three of them at once. Their eyes are on me, their expressions doubtful of my presence here, for sure, but also, and above all, suspicious of my lack of conversation skills.
“You have no idea what you’re doing, do you?” Mason asks.
“Well…” I scratch my head. “I wouldn’t exactly say that…”
“Have you ever dealt with children?” Logan asks.
“Actually I…”
“Do you even know what to cook for dinner?”
I loosen the collar of my shirt in the vague hope of not choking. Now I understand why Seth is so worried.
“I asked Paul to come over for dinner.” That’s my answer to all three questions.
“Oh, thank God!” Logan says quickly. “If Paul is here, we’ll be safe.”
The other two nod, reassured by my information.
And I must admit it, but knowing that Paul is coming makes me feel reassured as well.
“ROWAN?” EMILY calls out while I focus on preparing dinner.
Paul hasn’t turned up yet and I’m running out of topics. I hope to have more success with the dinner.
I thought I would make some pasta. Not a food I usually eat, but I don’t think I can win their sympathy by cooking them one of my low-fat recipes, low-salt, low-carbs—and low-life, as Paul would say. Not that I really need to win them over, but since we have to live under the same roof, I would at least try to please them.
“Yes, Emily?”
“What… what should I call you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, Uncle Seth is Uncle Seth. He’s Daddy’s brother. And you’re his… boyfriend… I think…” She wrinkles her forehead. “I mean, that’s what you told the judge, isn’t it?”
I thought Seth had decided to be honest with the boys.
“Friend,” I say as I stir the sauce into the vegetables I have prepared. “This is the more appropriate term.”
Boyfriend really seems excessive.
“Shall I call you Uncle Rowan then?”
“I think Rowan is more than OK.”
“Also because they’re not a real couple,” Logan joins us in the kitchen, glancing at the food being prepared, then at me.
