shook hands, Jonah followed his lead, and Sarah winced at the way Maureen kept introducing Miles. “This is Sarah’s friend,” she’d say, but it was her tone—a mixture of pride and motherly approval—that left no doubt as to what she really meant. When they’d finished, Maureen seemed almost exhausted by the performance. She turned her attention back to Miles. “Now, what can I get you to drink?”
“How about a beer?”
“One beer coming up. And how about for you, Jonah? We’ve got root beer or Seven-Up.”
“Root beer.”
“Let me go with you, Mom,” Sarah said, taking hold of her mother’s arm. “I think I need a drink, too.”
On their way to the kitchen, her mother was beaming. “Oh, Sarah... I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
“He seems wonderful. Such a nice smile. He looks like someone you can trust.”
“I know.”
“And that boy of his is darling.”
“Yes, Mother....”
“Where’s Daddy?” Sarah asked a few minutes later. Her mother had finally calmed down enough to turn her attention back to her dinner preparations.
“I sent him and Brian out to the grocery store a few minutes ago,” Maureen answered. “We needed some more rolls and a bottle of wine. I wasn’t sure we had enough.”
Sarah opened the oven and checked the turkey; the smell wafted through the kitchen.
“So Brian’s finally up?”
“He was tired. He didn’t get here until after midnight. He had an exam on Wednesday afternoon, so he couldn’t get away earlier.”
At that moment, the back door opened and Larry and Brian came in carrying a couple of bags, which they set on the counter. Brian, looking leaner and older somehow than when he’d left last August, saw Sarah and they hugged.
“So how’s school going? I haven’t talked to you in what seems like forever.”
“It’s going. You know how it is. How’s the job?”
“It’s good. I like it.” She glanced over Brian’s shoulder. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” Larry said, “it smells great in here.”
As they put the groceries away, they chatted for a few minutes until Sarah finally told them there was someone she’d like them to meet.
“Yeah, Mom mentioned that you were seeing someone.” Brian wiggled his eyebrows conspiratorially. “I’m glad. Is he a good guy?”
“I think so.”
“Is it serious?”
Sarah couldn’t help but notice that her mother stopped peeling the potatoes as she waited for the answer.
“I don’t know yet,” she said evasively. “Would you like to meet him?”
Brian shrugged. “Yeah, okay.”
She reached out and touched his arm. “Don’t worry, you’ll like him.” Brian nodded. “You coming, Daddy?”
“In a minute. Your mother wants me to find some of the extra serving bowls. They’re in a box in the pantry somewhere.”
Sarah and Brian left the kitchen and headed to the living room, though she didn’t see Miles or Jonah. Her grandmother said that Miles had gone outside for a minute, but when she stepped out the front door, she still didn’t see him.
“He must be around back....”
As they turned the corner of the house, Sarah finally spotted them. Jonah had found a small mound of dirt and was pushing the Matchbox cars along imaginary roads.
“So what’s this guy do? Is he a teacher?”
“No, but that’s how I met him. His son is in my class. Actually, he’s a deputy sheriff. Hey, Miles!” she called out. “Jonah!” When they turned, Sarah nodded in her brother’s direction. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
When Jonah stood up from the dirt, Sarah saw that the knees of his pants were circled with brown. He and Miles met them halfway.
“This is my brother, Brian. And Brian, this is Miles and his son, Jonah.”
Miles held out his hand. “How are you doing? Miles Ryan. Nice to meet you.”
Brian held his hand out stiffly. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“I hear you’re in college.”
Brian nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Sarah laughed. “You don’t have to be so formal. He’s only a couple of years older than I am.” Brian smiled weakly but didn’t say anything, and Jonah looked up at him. Brian took a small step backward, as if uncertain how to address a young child.
“Hi,” Jonah said.
“Hi,” Brian answered.
“You’re Miss Andrews’s brother?”
Brian nodded.
“She’s my teacher.”
“I know. She told me.”
“Oh . . .” Jonah looked suddenly bored and started fiddling with the cars in his hands. For a long moment, none of them said anything.
“I wasn’t hiding from your family,” Miles said a few minutes later. “Jonah asked if I’d come out here with him to see if I thought it would be okay to play here. I said it probably was—I hope that’s okay.”