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“Thanks,” I reply. “I’m self-taught. My dad was a terrible cook, and if I didn’t want to eat microwave dinners every night, I had to learn how to make something better.”
“How resourceful of you,” she replies with a smile.
“And how are you feeling?” I ask. “After that conversation with your sister.”
Leaning against the counter, I watch her as she shrugs. Then she glances up my way with a forced smile. “I’m sad, but I hope she'll come around. But Caleb’s right. It’s going to be like that for a while.”
“And it’s worth it to you?” I ask.
Her smile isn’t forced anymore. “Is it worth it toyou? You’re the one trading a life living alone in your apartment for family dinners and a suburban life.”
Just then, as if on cue, Abby shouts for Briar from the downstairs bathroom. “Mo-om! I need you.”
We both laugh at the same time. “It’s messy,” she says as she wipes her hands on the kitchen towel. “But it’s fun.”
While Briar is in the bathroom with Abby, the timer goes off on the stove. So I drain the noodles in the sink. Once I’m done with that, I set the table with plates and bowls.
As I’m retrieving the glasses from the cabinet, the door opens, and Caleb walks in. Immediately, I can tell something is different about him. Normally, Caleb is guarded and subdued, but within seconds, I can tell there is a frenetic energy about him. He’s different from when he left just a few hours ago.
“What happened?” I say, holding a plate in my hands as he nearly ambushes me next to the dining room table. Grabbing me by the sides of my face, he pulls me in for a kiss, and I quickly push him away, worried that Abby might see.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m kissing you,” he replies casually.
My brow furrows in confusion. “What happened at work?”
“It’s not important,” he says, “but seeing you standing here in my kitchen right now is the greatest thing in the world.”
I continue gawking at him. He’s practically beaming.
“Daddy!” Abby shrieks as she comes out of the bathroom, flying toward Caleb.
“Hey, peanut,” he replies, hoisting her off the floor. She wraps her arms around his neck with a cheesy grin on her face.
Briar comes out a moment later and notices what I’ve done. “You set the table,” she says.
“Let’s eat,” Caleb replies enthusiastically before kissing Briar on the side of the head. Everyone begins to dish up their food, and a moment later, we’re all sitting around the table about to dig into our spaghetti dinner. We don’t say grace or thank God for this meal, which takes me by surprise.
Instead, we all sort of stare at each other for a moment.
“This is nice,” I mumble quietly.
“It is,” Briar replies, resting her hand on mine.
Naturally, Abby is bouncing in her seat, spaghetti stains already covering her cheeks.
And while we eat, I can’t help but think to myself just how perfect this is. Whatever happened at work with Caleb or with Briar’s sister exists only in the outside world, but when we’re here in this house together, none of that matters.
For the first time, I realize that this could work. We can shut out the world and live in harmony here. The judgment of others doesn’t have to affect us.
Being with them doesn’t make me feel so afraid of commitment anymore. They make being in a relationship feel so natural.
“Can I ride my bike after dinner?” Abby asks, slurping up a spaghetti noodle.
“Of course, peanut,” Briar replies.
“Will you watch me?” she asks, looking up at me.
