Ade squinted at the lights blurring into one another. She loved the ambience they’d created in her tiny home. “I think it works.”
The intercom buzzed from the street level, and Ade jumped. She hadn’t yet shaken the fear that came from her uninvited houseguest. But this time, she knew exactly who was waiting at the foot of her stairwell.
“Come on up,” Steph hollered down, hanging over the iron railing and stretching to catch a first glimpse of their fathers.
Their heavy footsteps made slow progress up the five stories and by the time they reached the top, they were panting.
“Come here, you two.” Their pops set down his bags and grabbed Ade and Steph in his arms, lifting them slightly off the ground. “Have you grown? You seem taller.”
It was an old joke, but Steph giggled like a small child, and Ade wriggled out of his reach to bask in his love from a distance. She hugged her dad and kissed him gently on the cheek.
“Hey, you. Missed your little face.” He grinned and tapped her on the cheeks. “Now, let me in so I can catch my breath. I need a cardio exam after that stairwell.”
“I warned you, Dad. These buildings don’t have elevators,” said Ade, leading them into her living space.
“I know, honey. But jeez, I had no idea they’d be so tall and skinny. It’s like living on the top of Rapunzel’s tower in here.” Theirdad moved toward the dormer to admire the starry sky and the backlit rooftops. “Pretty though, hey?”
“It sure is.” Their pops put his strong arm around the shoulder of their dad.
Ade melted a little inside, reminded of the strength of their bond.
“I’m surprised a burglar made it all the way up to this floor.” Their dad scrutinized the lock on the front door.
“I would’ve kicked him all the way back down if I’d been here.” Pops’ face hardened. “No troubles since though?”
“Nope,” Ade said.
“Good thing too, otherwise I’d be bundling you into my suitcase and taking you all the way back to California with me.” He poked her playfully in the ribs.
“Now, girls. We got the supplies you asked for, but it sure was tricky to find everything.” Her dad placed a heavy bag on her small kitchenette table.
Ade twiddled the ring on her finger.
“Don’t fret, honey. Your dad is being dramatic. We got your canned pumpkin.” Her pops punched his husband lightly in the arm. “Don’t wind her up, Nate. You know, we talked about this.” A look passed between them.
Steph bounced on the spot. “So you can see we’re working in a really tight kitchen here. But I’ve cooked the ham already, and I’ve made something with the green beans on the stove top.” She gestured with a flourish that suggested a meal far grander than the one they’d actually managed to prepare.
“Ham? No turkey?” Her dad’s lips downturned.
“No can do. It’s just not in season here yet.” Steph put her hands to her cheeks. “We didn’t think you’d be able to fly with a turkey in your carry-on.”
Laughter rippled between them.
“It’s so good to see you both, truly. We’ve been rattling around like two old folks without you, haven’t we, Nate?”
“Absolutely,” their dad said. “Mrs. Steiner was asking about you both just last week.”
“She was?” Steph sprinkled salt into a pot. “I miss our chats.”
“Her daughter just moved to San Francisco for work. I think she’s feeling pretty lonely too.”
Ade closed her eyes and pictured Mrs. Steiner’s house, just down from theirs. She imagined she was there right now, strolling along the coast and watching a paddle boarder out in the bay.
“What else has been going on?” Steph asked.
“Your dad has been playing more golf than is really necessary.” Their pops laughed.
“Not entirely true, Samuel. And I didn’t hear you complaining when you had time to finish that model railway of yours in the attic.” They bumped shoulders. “Pops has finally completed the money pit of a hobby he started when you girls were three years old. If you’re still interested in seeing steam trains rush through fictional villages, then you have a real treat waiting for you at home.”
