She stared at me again. Her (shocked): You don’t know what shepherd’s pie is?
Me: Should I?
She shook her head disbelievingly. Her: Next time you come over I’ll make it. It was…
She stopped and turned away, biting her lip. I was silent, waiting for her to continue. She turned back to me. Her: It was Mom’s favorite.
I nodded quietly and changed the subject. Me: I feel useless, can I at least set the table?
She chuckled. Her: Sure, just don’t break anything.
Me: I’ll try not to.
Just as I finished setting the table to phone rang. Her: Hello? Oh, hi Dad… Oh, well, I was just making some mac… mm-hm… Yeah, that’s fine… I’ll just… yeah, I’ll just save some for you… What?... Oh, well, Ok then, bye Dad.
She hung up. Her: Dad’s going to be late.
I watched her expression carefully. Me: How late?
She sighed. Her: Pretty late.
I nodded as she put the mac and cheese onto two of the plates, leaving the last table setting empty and returning it to the cabinet. She served the hot dogs, and sat down.