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“Exactly,” I reply, nodding. “How’s Tillie?” I inquire about her daughter.
She beams. “She’s wonderful. She’s with her dad today.”
My brothers finally filter inside one by one, hugging me hard enough to make me wince. The three of them are tall and heavily muscled. I’m five feet eight and they tower over me.
“Get this food to the table on the deck as quickly as possible,” I order.Being the oldest has its perks.
Surprisingly, they do as I say with little to no grumbling. I’m sure it has to do with the fact that my mom is an excellent cook and they want to eat as soon as possible. I carry out plates, plasticware, and napkins and set them on the side table. While everyone lines up to dish out their food buffet style, I find my dad and give him a hug.
“How’s my girl?” he asks.
I smile. “I’m well. How are you doing, Dad?”
“I’m wonderful now that all my kids are here.”
As soon as everyone is seated at the table, my dad clears his throat loud enough to gain our attention. “I’d like to say a few words, so bear with me. Congratulations to Darius, not only for winning the Cup, but for all the hours of practice and training you’ve put in over the years that brought you to this point.”
“Thanks, Dad. But it takes an entire team, not just me.”
“Regardless, we’re all so proud of you.”
“I’m not,” Orion deadpans, lightening the moment. “Can we eat now?”
“Yes, you may,” Dad says, picking up his fork.
We dig into the pastitsio and horiatiki as if we haven’t eaten in days. My brothers scarf it down at an alarmingly fast pace. It’s a shame they’re barely taking the time to chew, never mind appreciate it, but this is what happens whenever we all get together in our childhood home.
“Mom, this is delicious,” I say.
“Thank you.”
“It really is,” Evie adds.
The guys grunt their agreement like a bunch of neanderthals. I roll my eyes in my mom’s direction and she smiles back at me.
“I’m going to need to learn how to make all these Greek dishes,” Evie says.
“No you don’t,” Christos jumps in. “Darius is the baby of the family andMommywill make him anything he wants. Right, Mom?”
“He is the baby, and I will make him whatever he wants, just like I will for any of you.” Her answer may be politically correct but we all know Darius is her favorite. The fact that he’s a hockey superstar could also play into why us siblings all feel he’s her pet. How do our average jobs compare to his astounding achievements?
“Mom, did you find a dress for Darius and Evie’s wedding?” I ask.
“I did. Remind me to show you later.”
“I want to see it too,” Evie says.
“Of course.” My mom smiles at her.
“Who cares about the wedding? Everyone knows the bachelor party is the real event,” Orion chimes in.
“Pfft.” I release a puff of air. “When are you going to stop making these ridiculous blanket statements? Just because you feel a certain way doesn’t mean everyone else shares your views.”
“Anyone with a brain does,” he retorts, making me lose a little more hope for the male species.
“I have a brain and I don’t agree,” Evie states.
“Maybe it’s a guy thing,” he backpedals.
