“Right,” said Luna.
“Do you have any questions?” Griff said.
“Does that kind of thing happen often?” said Luna.
“It does.”
“Owen never mentioned it before.”
“He grew up with it. Thinks it’s part of a normal or passionate relationship. Or something like that.”
“Huh. You don’t think that.”
“No, but I didn’t have an older brother around to distract me. What are you doing outside? It’s cold.”
“I didn’t know where to go,” Luna said.
“You were afraid to go into the kitchen alone?”
Luna nodded.
“It’s safe now. I’ll meet you in there.”
* * *
—
By the time Luna entered the kitchen, the whole family had gathered. Vera was making waffles while Tom whipped up a batch of scrambled eggs. Owen sat at the table, sipping a latte and reading the paper. Griff, finding only dregs in the coffee maker, admonished his brother and then cleaned out the carafe to start a fresh pot.
“I hope you like waffles,” Vera said.
“Or eggs,” said Tom.
“I like both,” said Luna.
“Did you sleep all right?” Vera asked.
“Yes,” Luna lied. “Very well, thank you.”
“You slept late,” Owen said.
“The room was comfortable and quiet,” Luna said, without mentioning the hour she’d spent hiding out, fully awake.
“What are we doing today?” Vera asked Owen and Luna.
“I don’t know,” Owen said.
“Scarlet’s coming today, right?” Vera asked.
“What’s Scarlet’s ETA?” Tom said. “Scarlet. That’s a helluva name.”
Owen smiled broadly at Luna, just to hide his annoyance. Whatever happens is your fault, his expression suggested.
“She said she was going to hit the road around one, so I figure three o’clock or so,” said Owen.
“Luna, give me the 911 on Scarlet,” Vera said.
“The 411,” said Tom. “You use 911 for an emergency; 411 is for information.”
“I think she knew what I meant,” said Vera, with a whisper of the prior night’s dark cloud.
“She’s great,” Luna said. “You’ll like her. She’s beautiful and nice and smart.”
“Can’t wait,” Griff said.
“Maybe we should invite Ted up too. He’s in Jersey, isn’t he?” Owen said. “That’s not too far.”
“While we’re at it, let’s invite Mason and the ABCs,” Luna added, calling his bluff.
“Mason and the ABCs. That sounds like a band, doesn’t it?” said Tom.
“Mason is Luna’s pot dealer,” Owen said, ratting her out as payback for answering his damn phone.
“Well, then, let’s definitely invite Mason,” Griff said.
“What are the ABCs?” Vera asked.
“Mom, I think the waffles are burning,” Griff said.
Breakfast was served. Luna watched as the Mann family chatted aimlessly, ate with gusto, and made her believe, once again, that they were whole.
While food was being consumed, Griff revived the lost topic: “So who or what are the ABCs?”
“Just some lame girls,” said Owen.
“You don’t like Amber just because she has a crush on you and doesn’t hide it. And you don’t even know Casey. Sometimes you’re mean and way too judgmental,” Luna said. She immediately regretted it, remembering her audience. “Sorry,” Luna mumbled. Then she was angry that she apologized.
Griff broke the brief but tense silence. “You’re right,” said Griff. “Sometimes Owen is mean and judgmental.”
“I’m going to have to agree with you there,” Tom said pleasantly.
“Mom, do you have anything to add?” Owen asked.
“Poor Amber,” said Vera.
“What about B?” Griff said to Luna.
Luna shrugged. “Bobbi is kind of a bitch.”
* * *
—
When Scarlet arrived that afternoon, she walked right past Owen and hugged Luna first. The move felt false and calculated, and it got under his skin. Scarlet then turned to Owen, kissed him on each cheek, and said something like So lovely to see you. She’d never greeted him like that before, and he wondered how much performance he was going to have to contend with. He also wondered how long she was planning on staying.
Owen introduced Scarlet to the rest of his family. His dad tried to give him a high five when Scarlet’s back was turned, but Owen left him hanging. Vera nodded her approval of the striking young woman. Griff, on the other hand, seemed not to notice or care that Scarlet was hot.