Firefighter's Virgin

“You look like Mom,” I said.

“Fuck off.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You kiss your son with that mouth?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “He’s in the kitchen. And I look nothing like Mom.”

“No, I know that. I just meant your mannerisms… That look you just gave me. She used to do that.”

“Remind me never to do that again then,” Sophie said harshly.

I decided to let that lie. Mentioning Mom was never a good thing around Sophie. Her mood went from happy to sour in a matter of seconds.

“How’s Tommy been?” I asked.

“He’s been really into cooking lately,” Sophie revealed, as we sat down together. “He’s the one that helped Tony with the fish.”

“I hate fish,” I reminded her.

“Tommy found the recipe and was excited to try it out,” Sophie said, with a shrug.

“You couldn’t have convinced him to make…pork ribs or something?”

“He’s been looking forward to this dinner all week, okay?” Sophie said. “Would it kill you to play the doting uncle?”

“I am a doting uncle,” I said.

Sophie glared at me, and I smiled guiltily. “You know I’ve never been good with kids.”

“He’s your nephew,” she pointed out. “And, he idolizes you.”

“Why?”

“Beats the hell out of me,” she said.

“I’ve barely been around.”

“I know that,” she nodded. “Which is why it baffles me that Tommy could be so interested in you. But the fact is, he is interested, so I would appreciate it if you could interact with him a little.”

I groaned. “Fine, just as long as I don’t have to play games.”

Sophie rolled her eyes at me. “You’re his only uncle, okay?” she said. “Tony’s an only child, and you’re my only brother.”

“Well, then I blame Tony.”

Sophie looked at me with an odd expression in her eyes.

“What?” I asked.

“You really will do anything to keep your distance, huh?”

I bristled at the subtle confrontation. “That’s not fair.”

“Oh no?”

“I came back, didn’t I?”

“Because Dad died,” Sophie said.