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Better than he was used to.
He grew wary anytime that happened — surely the other shoe would drop, and he’d be right where he started.
He climbed the steps and opened the front door.
“Heya!”
The chorus of voices greeting him, directing him, came from the back of the house. The hallway creaked beneath his feet as he followed the sounds. The house was warm, sunlight streaming through windows as the smell of lemon and chicken wafted through the air. Dragan entered the kitchen, his family crammed around the small dining table while his mom, Aunt Nadia, and Grandma Zofia crowded around the stove and counters. The table was covered in plates. Bread, crackers, cheeses, dips, fruit.
He smiled at everyone. Cas stood and left, returning with the desk chair from his room.
“Take a seat, Dragan.”
He did, but his family didn’t resume their conversation.
“Did I miss something?” He looked between his siblings, landing on his uncle and cousins.
Tomasz chuckled. “We were just going on about June, she’s lovely.”
“More like she’s just doing him a favor,” Leon said.
Dragan froze.
“Truly don’t know why anyone would give you the time of day,” Alice laughed. “You’re such an oaf.”
His shoulders relaxed, their comments typical sibling banter rather than them knowing the truth behind his new relationship.
“Believe it or not, I’m kind of a big deal,” he quipped, reaching for cheese and crackers.
“That’s what they all say,” Lucas said without missing a beat.
Dragan heard the front door open, and before he could ask who else they were expecting, everyone froze.
“Where’s my family at?” James Carter’s voice boomed through the house, his feet heavy as he made his way to the back.
Dragan looked at his mom, a deer in the headlights as James came into view. His grandma grew ramrod-straight, adding a few inches to her small frame. There was a nervous tension throughout the room, despite his dad’s smile.
They all knew how quick it was to disappear.
“Hey, Dad,” Alice said, the first to break the silence. Her voice shook. The siblings covered it as best as possible, mumbling their own hellos.
James’ smile grew tight and he placed his hands on his hips, looking between everyone. Everyone except Dragan. He looked smaller than the last time Dragan had seen him, pale and wiry even though his face was bloated and had a sheen to it.
Like he’d been using and drinking. Again.
“Is that really the hello I’m going to get? Come here, give me a hug.”
No one moved, and for a split second Dragan saw the rage enter his dad’s eyes. Then Lucas jumped up, giving his dad a quick side-hug. Cas and Alice followed, but Leon stayed put, staring at the table. Dragan stared at James, willing him to look at him.
Instead, James put his hand on the back of Kasia’s chair. She froze, giving her dad a worried look.
“What can we do you for, James?” Tomasz asked, leaning back in his chair. He folded his arms across his chest, biceps bulging in what was a clear move of masculinity.
Dragan saw the knuckles on his dad’s hand grow white against Kasia’s chair as he tried to keep the smile going.
“What, I can’t say hello to my family?”
“It’s never just hello,” Leon muttered.
