Page 70 of Phishing for Love
“Anything else we can get you?” Kate asks.
“Can you put on a cartoon?” Eric says. “I need to watch something comforting.”
We eat at the large wooden table on the back porch. Our plates are piled with potato bake, coleslaw, green salad, and steak. Somehow, I’ve ended up directly across from Aaron. While he’s making an effort to be friendly and engaging with everyone seated at the table (except for Nathan, to whom he’s blatantlyindifferent), every now and then I catch him watching me, his expression impossible to read.
I can sense my mom and grandmother watching me as well. Oh, they’re trying to be subtle about it, but I feel the weight of their curious stares. I have no idea what they’re hoping to see.
Nathan and my dad are the only ones who appear oblivious to the fine threads of tension coiling around the table. Although, perhaps Nathan is not as oblivious as I initially thought, because he keeps finding excuses to touch me and lean in close, almost as though he’s provoking Aaron. But then I scold myself for reading too much into the situation.
Kate is uncharacteristically quiet. She answers questions posed to her and picks at her food, but the light has dimmed in her face. I doubt she pinned her hopes on Eric, but the dark melancholy she’s always attempting to keep at bay is creeping up on her. I can see it happening right in front of me, yet I feel helpless to push it back for her.
She’s dished Eric up a huge plateful of food and Eric seems content to eat it in front of the TV. Lisset wants to sit with her injured horse, and we’ve left the two of them happily watching cartoons together.
The conversation around the table is light and easy. Remembering Aaron’s reaction when I brought up the subject of his sister, I warned my family beforehand not to ask him any personal questions about his family. Thankfully, they’re heeding my warning.
Halfway through the meal, Dad skewers Kate with an interrogative expression.
Kate sighs. “Relax, Dad, I’m not walking down the aisle with Eric. He’s just a friend.”
I swallow my mouthful of food. “I’d argue he’s more Lisset’s friend,” I say, and everyone laughs.
“How’s the steak?” Dad asks eagerly.
“Good,” Kate says.
“Great,” I reply.
Dad stares expectantly at Aaron, who is looking anywhere but at him.
“Aaron?” Dad asks.
“Really well done,” Aaron answers carefully.
“Molecular gastronomy taken to the next level,” Kate elaborates.
I wait a strategic moment. That is, when my mom disappears into the kitchen. “You know what, Dad, Aaron enjoyed his steak so much I’m sure he’d like another one.”
My dad’s face lights up. “Another one? Really?”
“I’m pretty full—” Aaron starts to protest.
“No need to be shy,” I say, cutting him off and fanning my spark of mischief into a flame. “A man like yourself needs to keep his strength up.”
“I don’t want to impose,” Aaron says weakly.
“No imposition at all.” Dad gets to his feet. “You’ve got a great appetite on you, Aaron. No one’s ever asked for seconds before.”
“I can’t imagine why not,” Aaron manages.
My dad heads to the grill to fetch another steak and Aaron shoots me a vengeful glare, which I return with a wide smile.
“It’s quite a cruel streak you have,” Kate says, admiration in her voice. “You’re fortunate Mom’s not here.”
True. She would have found some way to rescue Aaron.
Nathan is grinning. “Better you than me, man.”
Dad returns with the steak, and Aaron valiantly starts sawing into the charred meat.
