I stood and leaned over to pick up Andrew. “Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to Andrew.”
They moved toward us, my mother’s hard eyes staring at Andrew. Jesus, he was going to think she was the Wicked Witch of the West.
As they got closer, Andrew held out his hand. “I’m Andrew.”
“At least someone has manners,” Bri quipped from her side of the table.
My father took his hand. “You can call me grandfather.”
My mother gasped and looked at my father like he’d grown a third eye.
“It’s very nice to meet you, young Andrew,” he said ignoring my mother.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Andrew extended his hand toward my mother. She looked at it like it had cooties. “My mommy says it’s good manners to shake hands when you meet someone.” I guess he thought she didn’t understand what he was doing so he was explaining it.
“His mom has manners too. Imagine that.”
I glared at Bri.
“Mother.” I hope she read in my eyes that I was telling her not to be such a jerk.
“I’m Mrs. Roarke.” She gave his hand a quick shake and then went to her seat.
Andrew leaned closer to my ear. “Is she your mommy?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t she Grandma then?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Carl entered with two thick books. “This should work for now,” he said, putting them on Andrew’s chair.
“What’s that for?” my mother snapped.
“So he’s tall enough to sit at the table, madam. Can I get you some orange juice?” Carl asked. “Cook is nearly finished with your omelet as well.”
“Yes, thank you, Carl.”
“So kid, you in school?” Bri asked.
“I’m four. I go to school when I’m five.”
“What? That’s too late,” my mother said, looking horrified. “He should be in pre-k.”
“Andrew here wants to be a pilot when he grows up,” I said giving Andrew a pat on the shoulder.
“You can kiss that dream goodbye,” Bri quipped.
“Bri.” I gave her a warning.
She shrugged. “First born Roarke boys don’t get to pursue their dreams.”
“My daddy took me in an airplane. We went so high and so fast, didn’t we Daddy?”
Everyone else at the table stopped and looked at me.
“We did.” I frowned as I wondered what was up. “What?” I mouthed to Bri.