“What should I be doing? I can sit.”
He dramatically plopped down on the sofa. Nina just kept staring at him strangely.
“Nina, what is it?”
“Are you planning to greet them in your house shorts?”
Andrew looked down at himself and shot up.
“Why didn’t you say something?”
Nina laughed.
“I am saying something. Right now.”
Andrew rushed to the bedroom just as a key turned in the lock.
“Oh, tell them I’ll be right out!”
He shut the door behind him as Nina, smiling, went to the entryway.
“Mom, Dad, hi!”
“Hello.”
Nina saw a young woman hiding behind Ian. Huge blue eyes, perfectly straight black hair, and a frightened look.
“Hello…” she whispered, her cheeks turning bright red.
Nina smiled warmly.
“Where do you find a girl who still blushes these days? Please, come in.”
“Mom, where’s Dad?”
“Right here!”
The girl’s name was Vera. She was so fragile. The tension at the dinner table eased a little, but not for Nina. She felt her heart tightening, a premonition of trouble.
“So, Vera, are you in school or working?”
Andrew asked, smiling at the girl. He hadn’t been wrong about his son. Vera was lovely in every way: pretty, modest, and smart.
“I’m in nursing school. I want to be a pediatric nurse. I work weekends as a nursing assistant. Not really for the money, but for the experience, you know?”
They talked late into the night. Andrew and Nina learned she lived with her elderly great-grandmother. They didn’t ask for more details, not wanting to open old wounds. It was a pleasant evening. Vera gradually relaxed and chatted about everything, even managing to talk about fishing with Andrew.
“That’s a nice piano. Does someone in the family play?”
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