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My phone buzzes on the patio table and I’m thankful for the interruption. “Hello?”
“Hi son. How’s Kate doing?” my mother asks me.
“She’s good. We’re just hanging out on the back patio. Want to come over?”
“Yes, actually, I was calling to see if it was okay with you two if Max and I stopped by with dinner. How does spaghetti and meatballs sound?”
“Sounds great, but Grace is here, too. Do you have enough?” I’m almost okay with her saying no and being able to kick Grace out, but I swallow my words.
“Actually, Max made dinner and we have enough to serve an army.” She laughs.
“Okay, then…” I see another call coming in. “Declan’s calling me. I’ll see you soon, Mom.”
“Tell him to come over, too.” She says.
“Will do, Mom. Bye.” I click the button on my phone and answer Delcan. “Dude. What’s up?”
“Hey. Just wanted to see if it was okay if I stopped by to see how Kate’s doing.”
“Yeah, and come hungry. Mom and her boyfriend Max are on their way over with a ton of spaghetti and meatballs.”
“I’ll drive faster. See you in ten.”
Neither one of us says anything. We just end the call. It’s the guy’s way of talking. Not like all this gibber jabber that the girls are doing right now. I need aspirin.
“Hey. Mom, Max, and now Declan are on their way over. You okay with that, baby?”
Kate smiles, “Of course.”
“Did I hear something about spaghetti and meatballs?” Grace smiles big. “I love spaghetti and meatballs.”
“Grace, would you like to stay for dinner? We’re having spaghetti and meatballs.” I ask, with a knowing tone.
“Why, yes Hudson. I’d love to stay for dinner. Thanks for asking.”
Kate laughs, “You two are going to be the death of me.”
“Bark! Bark! Bark!” Pepper goes running to the front door.
“Knock, knock.” I hear my mother’s voice from inside the house.
We all leave the patio and meet them in the kitchen. The smell of Italian permeates the air immediately, and my stomach growls.
“Tell me you told Declan to come over. We have a ton of food.” Mom is pulling out plates and utensils.
“Yep. Should be here any minute now. Let’s start without him.” I grab a meatball and pop it in my mouth before my mother’s hand can slap me.
“Hudson Taylor. That is not how I raised you. Now, go set the table.” She scolds me and the girls laugh.
“Bark!” Pepper runs to the door.
“Hi, Pepperoni.” Declan says to my dog as he enters the house. “Damn, it smells great in here. I know Hudson didn’t cook.” He walks over to my mother and kisses her on the cheek. “Hello, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Hello, Declan. Meet Max.” She introduces Max. He hasn’t said a word since walking into the house. He keeps staring at Kate and it’s giving me an uncomfortable feeling.
Declan shakes Max’s hand. “Declan.”
“Max. Nice to meet you.”
