Page 124 of The Fighter
Boulder and Khan answered at the same time. “Yes!”
When the three children left the kitchen, Boulder threw his hand up. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but that boy is the most unhelpful child in the world.”
Pearl smiled. “It’s the age. He’ll grow out of it.”
Khan shrugged. “Magni was like that too when he was a preteen like Indiana. Always grumpy and contrary.”
“Huh.” Boulder handed beers to me and Khan. “Leo, can you imagine if we had shown our mentors an attitude like that? My back would have been black and blue.”
“Yeah, mine too.” I nodded. “Maybe it’s what happens when kids grow up in families instead of schools. I mean Magni was in a family and so is Indiana.”
Boulder gave a groan. “It would be easier if I could put some fear into the boy, but if you think Christina is weird about skinning a rabbit then you should have seen her the time that I spanked Indiana when he was a toddler. For a pacifist, she just about skinned my ass.” Boulder’s deep chuckle filled the kitchen. “I had to sit for two full hours listening to parenting tips on how to deal with toddlers in a non-violent way.”
Khan took a seat on a high chair by the kitchen island. “Trust me, our dad beat the crap out of Magni and it didn’t change a thing. He was still moody and grumpy at Indiana’s age.”
It was the strangest feeling to stand in the kitchen and watch the interactions between these two families as their children moved in and out carrying cutlery, glasses, and stacks of plates. I’d never experienced anything like it, and soaked up all their conversation and interactions with fascination. Boulder cooked the steaks and told Khan to get us some more beers while waiting for the food to be ready. Christina filled bowls and trays, and it was clear to see that these people spent a lot of time together. Internally I was wondering why none of them questioned what I was doing here.
“You sure that I can’t help with anything?” Mila offered for the third time.
“Wanna learn how to tell when a steak is cooked to perfection?” Boulder winked at her from his place behind the stove. I sniffed in the lovely aroma of garlic, butter, and quality steaks.
“Maybe I could carry something to the table instead,” Mila suggested with a smile to Boulder.
“Yes, how about you take this in.” Christina handed Mila a basket of bread. “And by the way, Mila, how was your dad doing this morning?”
Mila took the bread. “He was pale and in pain. I don’t understand it but he says he feels like his feet are hurting but that’s not possible since they are… you know, gone.”
“That’s called phantom pain. It’s a real thing.” Boulder placed the steaks on a plate and signaled for us to move into the dining room. “No, Leo, you don’t want to sit there, that’s the kids’ end of the table.”
“Oh, okay.” I moved to the other end.
Pearl smiled at me. “It’s better that way because the kids never sit at the table very long.”
I sat between Mila and Raven when bowls and trays of food were passed around and all the time, I wondered why none of them had asked why I was there. To be included without question in a lunch with Raven’s family and their close friends who happened to be the ruling family was unexpected. I had braced myself to be roasted about my relationship with Raven, but they talked about everyday things like the co-educational school, Mila’s current amount of dogs, and Christina’s work on her newest archeological digging site. I was almost done eating my steak when the question finally came up.
“Hey, Leo,” Boulder leaned forward to get eye contact. “I forgot to ask you; how is your healing coming along? Raven said you were back to work, but are you going to be ready for Mila’s tournament?”
Mila and Raven exchanged a quick glance.
“Actually…” I put my fork and knife down. “I’m not going to be in Mila’s tournament.”
“Why not? If you need more time to get ready, I mean…” Christina tilted her head and changed her focus to Khan. “Aren’t you going to postpone the tournament anyway? I doubt Magni will be ready in only three months. The participants would understand if you give him time to heal so he can enjoy the festivities, wouldn’t they?”
Khan was chewing so he didn’t answer, which made Christina continue, “It’s no secret that I’m the biggest opponent of tournaments, but Magni has been looking forward to Mila’s tournament since she was ten, and postponing it would give Leo time to get in shape too.”
I was used to seeing Lord Khan at official ceremonies and on TV, so to see him sit around a dining table and eat in a casual manner blew my mind a little.
“Yes, we’ll have to postpone it and now with the plans for the election, it’s all about timing,” Khan agreed.
“Kids, are you done eating?” Pearl smiled at the five children at the end of the table. “How about we call you when it’s time for dessert.”
Thor, Jones, and Samara were quick to push their chairs back and run off, while Indiana and Freya moved more slowly.
“Today, Freya.” Pearl hurried her daughter up.
“I’m not a baby; why can’t I stay and listen?”
“Because some things are for adults only and we’ll need you two big kids to keep an eye on the younger ones.”
