“I had a very stressful time in New York. When I got home, I came to see you but you were gone, so I thought I’d come in here and relax.” He smiled and eyed his half empty beer on the side table.
“Thank you for using a coaster,” she said with a grin. “You came to see me?”
“You’re welcome and yes. I was in New York all alone, working in between trying to find a house, and I kept feeling uneasy. I couldn’t place it, but it was driving me crazy. I went through the motions, but something was different this time. All I wanted was a distraction. My work wasn’t holding my attention.” He winked at her. “When I couldn’t find you, I figured I’d get a beer and kick back.”
“That’s not like you.”
“No, it isn’t. And it feels very weird. Even weirder when being under a train track.”
“Pity you can’t reach your beer,” she said with a grin.
Thomas sat on his knee and added another piece.
“Yes it is. Thomas had other ideas.”
“That perfectly good beer going to waste…” She walked over and sat down on the sofa next to it, picking it up between her two fingers and pretending to inspect the label. It was some kind of fancy microbrew. “I didn’t know you drank beer.” She tipped it up to her lips and took a swig. It was good.
“Get your own beer,” he said, but his eyes were affectionate.
“I just wanted a taste.”
Carefully, he pulled himself from under the track and the boys moaned in disapproval. “Sorry, boys,” he said. “I’ll play again soon.”
“You don’t have time to play,” she said. She handed him his beer and tried to keep her hands at her sides when all she wanted to do was put them around his neck.
“I got the company I was after in New York. After that, I decided to take a little time off for Christmas.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t expect you back so soon,” she said, leading him out into the hallway.
“I found a house very quickly. Well, I just stopped looking after the first showing. I don’t really care where I live as long as it’s in a central location and decent.”
“You found a house?”
“It’s an apartment.”
“Are you drinking beer?” Robin interrupted their conversation, the tapping of her heels reaching a crescendo against the floors as she neared them.
“Yes. I drink beer on occasion,” Nick said to his sister.
“What occasion?” she teased. “Never mind. I’m not going to talk you out of it. That’s a good thing. It’s better than having a phone in your hand.”
“I’m taking some time off for Christmas,” he explained.
“I can’t believe it,” Robin said dramatically. “James should be home soon. We should have a big dinner.”
“Whatever you like. Just let Richard know. I need to do a little work today to tie up a few loose ends. It shouldn’t be too long. Then we can all eat dinner.”
“May I cook?” Abbey asked, and they both looked at her.
“Certainly. If you want to. It’s a big crowd,” he said with a smile.
“I’m up for it. I’d like to cook you some of my favorite foods. Would that be okay?”
“I’d love it,” Robin said. “Surprise us!”
Nick agreed.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Nick said. “I can’t wait to see what you cook.”
“Great! I’ll go get started.”
* * *
The bag of odds and ends Abbey had requested from Richard was still on the counter when she finished up each of the dishes. She had it all on the bar of the kitchen buffet-style as everyone came in. She pulled a bag of white hamburger rolls from the grocery bag and opened the twist tie, leaving them at the start of the buffet. There were paper plates, napkins, hot dogs, hamburgers—with or without cheese—baked beans, potato salad, and her famous green bean casserole.
Max ran in ahead of Thomas. “Yummy, Mama!” he said, reaching up for a plate at the end of the counter. The others followed.
“Grab a napkin and fork with your plate!” Abbey said with a giggle as she looked at them. They were all scanning the bar with inquisitive faces. “Ketchup and mustard are at the end of the line.”
“It’s like being at a picnic!” Caroline said with excitement. But then nobody moved. It was as if they didn’t know where to begin.
“I’ll start,” Abbey said, pulling a plastic fork from the cup she’d stuffed them all in, and grabbing a plate and napkin. She pulled a bun from the bag, left it open on the plate, and added a burger with cheese. “Get your burger and then you have all this to choose from.” Max stood next to Nick, trying to reach the plates. “Nick, if you’ll help Max, I’ll make yours. Do you want everything on your burger?”