Athena arrived at six-thirty with a bottle of wine. She was tall and graceful, with long, dark hair. She was a teacher when Charles married her and was still teaching third grade at the same school as Elyse.
“Blue, I’ve missed you.” Athena hugged him, and her embrace was warm and genuine. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you when you were here before. My friend’s destination wedding was all-consuming.”
“Ireland, was it?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, it’s good to see you this time.” He meant that. Athena was the angel in their lives.
His mother beamed from the kitchen doorway.
Over dinner, Athena was easy company. She asked about Crown Island with real curiosity and laughed at Elyse’s stories about her kindergartners. She helped clear the dishes without being asked, like she was one of the family. He supposed she always would be.
She was the daughter-in-law his mother had always wanted. More than that, Athena had been in her first trimester when Charles was killed.
The shock was so great, she’d lost the baby, too.
Blue watched her across the table and understood what his family was doing. They weren’t subtle about it, and they probably thought they didn’t need to be. Athena was everything they wanted for him. She was from the neighborhood and understood the life, the risks, the brotherhood of the force. She’d already loved one Blumenthal.
His family wanted him to step into Charles’s life. The badge, the precinct, the city. And now the woman his brother had loved.
His family and the police force wanted him here. Maybe even Athena. He wouldn’t find this anywhere else.
After dinner, Sadie said, “Let’s have some photos. Blue, you sit by Athena, and Elyse, stand in back. Ma, you, too.”
Their mother shook her head. “I’m not getting in photos after I’ve been in the kitchen all day.”
“Smile,” Sadie commanded, taking shots. “Now Blue, put your arm around Athena. She’s family, after all.”
“Any more directions?” Blue asked, although he complied. Sadie had always been the bossy one.
“Just a few more,” she replied.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Blue said, finally shifting away.
Athena rose. “I’ll help with the dishes.”
“I’ll come, too,” Blue said.
Athena touched his shoulder. “Thanks, but you can relax.”
With a small smile, Sadie tucked her phone away. “I have to get back to the boys.”
“And I need to get some rest,” Elyse added. “See you soon.”
After his sisters left, he wandered onto the porch with his mother’s geraniums and the sound of the city all around him.
“There you are,” Athena said, a little later. She carried two cups of tea. “Your mother thought you might like some tea. Or wine. There’s still some left if you want more.”
“Tea is fine. Have a seat.”
Athena handed him a cup and sat in the other chair. “Blue, your mother means well.”
“She’s not exactly hiding her intentions.”
Athena inclined her head. “She wants you to be happy.”
“She wants me to be Charles.”
