He shrugged.
“Come on.” I took his hand and led him to the dining room. I inhaled a breath and second-guessed the wisdom of introducing him to my parents so soon. Maybe I should have taken him to my place.
We stepped into the entryway. Only Bri was there. I had a moment to regather my wits.
“How many people are in your family?” Andrew asked as he looked into the room.
“Four. Five including you.”
“Why do you have such a big table then?”
“He is brilliant,” Bri said as she poured herself coffee from the buffet.
“I don’t know,” I answered him. “Here, sit next to me.”
He climbed into the seat, but he was too short to adequat
ely reach the table.
He maneuvered onto his knees. “I didn’t bring my booster.”
“I’ll get you one later,” I said. I hadn’t even thought about what he might need. Jesus, I was fucking up this father thing from the get-go.
Carl entered with a plate, bringing it to Andrew. “Pancakes, sir.”
Andrew frowned. “I’m not a sir.”
Carl’s lips twitched. “The cook tried to make them look like cats.” He set the plate down.
Andrew looked closely and then grinned. “They do look like cats. My mommy makes clowns.”
It was silly to feel annoyed by that. Of course, he’d talk about his mom. She was all he knew. Still, I felt ripped off. I’d missed so much time.
“Sir?” Carl looked at me. “Shall I find something for Young Master Andrew to sit on?”
“Oh goodness, Carl, is Mom Downton Abbeying you too? Young Master…” Bri rolled her eyes.
Carl shrugged.
“Yes, if there’s something for him to sit on that would be great, Carl, thank you. Are they coming down?”
“They’ll be here shortly.”
“Have you warned him about her?” Bri asked sitting across the table from us.
“No. And I’d appreciate it if you’d behave too.”
She looked at Andrew. “I always behave.” She winked.
Andrew grinned and then looked up at me. “I don’t have a sister.”
“You’re not missing much.”
“Hey!” A piece of toast came across the table, hitting me in the chest.
“See, she’s not house trained.” But I glared at her. If she set Mom off, it would be a difficult morning and I didn’t need that for Andrew’s first day.
My parents entered together, which wasn’t normal. I wondered if my mom wanted to make a grand, master and mistress of the house, entrance, or if my father was keeping my mother in line.