“I can’t wait.” Steph giggled. “Should we have a grand opening?”
“Oh sure, with a big fancy ribbon?” Pops asked.
“That would all be very well, Stephanie, if we had any idea when you were coming home from your little adventure over here.” Dad pursed his lips.
“Don’t start with that. I told you, I’ll come home when I’ve finished my itinerary. I still have a few more places to check off.”
“Care to share this itinerary?” Dad scratched his head. “From where I’m sitting it looks like you’re making it up as you’re going along.”
“And what’s wrong with that? I’m young, and I’m enjoying myself before I have to settle down to forty years of work.” Steph said, rubbing flour from her forehead. “You want to help me with this, or just enjoy eating it?”
“Come, sit with me.” Taking Ade’s arm, Pops led the way to the sofa. “Tell me about what you’ve been up to here.”
She embraced his bulky frame and let go of all the tensionholding her upright. “It’s been a fast few weeks. I can’t quite believe you’re here already.”
“It’s crept along so slowly for us. The house is empty without you two filling it with your antics.” He bopped her on the nose. “Have you made any friends?”
“She’s made a special friend, haven’t you Ady-baby?” Steph asked from her makeshift chef’s station.
“Oh, yeah? Anyone we should hear about or something casual?” Dad asked.
“Ignore her. She’s making a big deal is all.” Ade stiffened in protest.
“Oh, sure. You’ve done nothing but talk about Sylvie since I arrived, and I’m the one making something of nothing.”
“Sylvie, huh?” Pops nudged her gently in the ribs, his eyes creasing.
“She’s a friend. A colleague, really. But she’s become a friend.” Ade wanted to say that she’d become the best friend she’d ever had. She yearned to describe the easiness they shared together, the fact that she didn’t feel all zipped up and tense when she was around. She almost compared the feeling she had with Sylvie to the safety net that her parents provided: that she couldn’t fall, however much she stumbled on life’s ups and downs.
But that would have all been too much to tell them in the little room they were all cooped up in. Her body ached, and she flapped her hands to expel the awkwardness trapped inside.
“I’d like to meet your friend. Is she coming out to dinner while we’re here?” Pops asked.
“Actually, she is. I already invited her.”
“Wonderful. And anyone else we should meet?” asked Dad.
She shrugged. There wasn’t anyone else special enough to introduce to her parents. “No one, really.”
“How’s the actual job going?” Dad took a seat opposite her.
Ade breathed deep into her lungs, steadying herself. “It was a little tricky to begin with, but I’ve been given free rein at the center,so it’s all good.”
“What center?”
“At the marine center. You know, lab time: shifts to take care of the animals.”
“Nate, we talked about this.” Pops’ warning tone made Ade sit up straight.
“I know we talked, but I’m interested in the progress our daughter is making. We didn’t send her all the way across the world to sit with more animals and not make something of this opportunity.”
“Dad, do we really have to get into all this right now?” Steph poked her head above a steaming tray. “It’s Thanksgiving. We could be thankful for what we have this year.”
“I’m plenty thankful, Stephanie. I just want to make sure your sister is grateful for the chances she’s getting. Most people would give their right arm to get a job at a university in Europe.”
“I am thankful, Dad,” Ade whispered, not certain how he needed her to demonstrate her gratitude.
“Sounds like you’ve slipped into the same routines as back home: plenty of solo lab time and no time to carve out a career.”
