Mick looked forward to his dinner at the Hathornes'. Instead of going to Tyler's apartment, he waited to see his friend at Chickie's house. Perhaps he was overeager, but he arrived first. Chickie invited him into her kitchen.

"I'll put you to work."

"I'm never the first one anywhere."

She chuckled. "I told them to come later. I want you for myself."

He winked. "I'm telling Arthur."

"Not like that. I missed you and want to know everything. Peel the carrots. Are you glad to be home?"

"Yes." Mick went to work removing the outer skin of the carrots

"But?"

"Why does my mother hate me?"

"Hates a strong word."

He sighed. "Fine. You knew me when I was five. How did she treat me back then?"

Chickie paused. "Your father attended school events." She handed him a knife. "Julienne."

"Seriously?"

She smiled. "Yes, strips."

He chuckled. "I meant seriously about my father attending school events."

She chuckled. "He was often late and on his cellphone."

"They had them back then."

She chuckled. "For phone calls. There was no unlimited calling. Each call cost, but men like your father weren't concerned with phone bills."

"Where did people think my mother was?"

Chickie shrugged. "I met her and knew if you boys wanted to play it would happen here. I'm not sure people cared enough to make up rumors. She was not cut out for motherhood. You suffered because of it."

"She was never a good wife either. I wish I knew why."

"Your parents weren't the only couple who didn't socialize together. They went to the school's big gala occasionally. I remember your mother sitting alone when your father went off to network. I went over to talk to her, but it was uncomfortable."

"Why?" He hung on her words.

"I don't remember the conversation, but I mentioned something like your project on the solar system. Tyler had taken over the table for a week, so we had to eat in the dining room. She looked at me like she didn't know what I was talking about."

Mick frowned. "I gave the housekeeper a list of supplies and worked on it in my room."

"We helped Tyler, assisted him."

Mick shook his head. "No one ever helped me. My dad worked too much. I stayed in my room. I just figured it out on my own."

"Good thing you are smart with that engineering brain. I'm sorry because no one quizzed you on vocabulary words or multiplication facts. Did anyone sit down and read with you?"

"The babysitter did. My mother went out with her sister occasionally. I read with my dad, but I just remember him being too busy."

"She had to be sad and lonely."

"I'm sure she still is, but she created her misery. She could leave him."

Chickie nodded. "If anyone asked if I thought they would still be married when you turned twenty, I would have said no."

"I asked him if he dated and he said no. He didn't say he loved her."

"And you were a sweet boy who turned into a wonderful man. We need to find you a wife. Did you have fun last night with your cousins?"

He chuckled. "It was interesting."

"Interesting how? I love a good story."

He smiled. "I played cupid for Harper and my boss. She said he was a nice guy and didn't, um, spend the night, but they're seeing each other today."

"And you like him?"

"I do. Hunter has been seeing a doctor, but I think he likes her more than she likes him. Meanwhile, her neighbor was at the same restaurant on a bad date, so I rescued her."

"Oh, oh, oh! A girl for you."

He shook his head. "She's not my type. She's more Arianna than Poppy. Not totally like Arianna, but definitely high maintenance."

"Like Sonia?"

"Yes, more like Sonia, but I doubt she comes from money."

Chickie nodded. "Sonia was spoiled. My sons have found wives I love."

Mick smiled. "Eli's not married."

"Close enough. They live together."

"You're so cool. Will you adopt me?"

She pinched his cheek. "I thought I had. We missed you when you were away."

Arthur entered the kitchen. "I thought I heard voices. Mick, you're missing the game."

"I'll be in soon. I'm cutting carrots."

They heard more voices and Eli appeared with his arm around Cade's sister. "Mick, you moving in?"

"She adopted me, but I'm too old to live at home. You two look happy."

Eli smiled. "We are."

"How's the wedding planning?"

Eli said, "We aren't having a huge wedding."

"I, um, was married before."

Mick nodded. "Sure it doesn't have to do with how old you are?"

"Watch it. You haven't met your true love yet."

"Be nice." Leigh teased Eli.

"Hello." The greeting came from the front hall.

Chickie smiled. "Clara is here." She disappeared in a flash.

Mick chuckled. "Who cares about Tyler?"

Eli nodded. "It's true. It goes Clara then Leigh and Poppy. Ty and I are an afterthought."

"Not true." Chickie had the baby in her arms. "Uncle Eli is complaining about Gigi." She was too cool to be a granny.

Tyler and Poppy entered the kitchen and greeted everyone. Then they stood with Tyler's arms around his wife while she leaned into him. Mick missed a physical connection, even holding hands. Over ten months without sex didn't bother him as much. He had a hand for that.

When he pulled his mind out of the gutter, they were discussing an upcoming event. "Which one?"

Eli smiled. "Children's Hospital. Tyler sprung for a table."

His friend's cheeks pinked. "Hopefully, we'll never need it."

Mick wondered what Poppy thought of her husband buying a table. Every time he contemplated Poppy in Tyler's world, Trish came to mind. Ten months and he hadn't forgotten her.

The doorbell rang, and Chickie smiled. "Let's see who it is." Her sing-song voice made Mick smile until he thought of himself as a baby. He had no one to hold him his entire life, except maybe his dad. Could it be that he distorted his memories of his father? He remembered him coming to his room in the evenings. Maybe he read to him and asked him about the solar system. Overtime he didn't trust his memories.

Chickie returned. "Shannon and Brian are in the living room. Go join them. Meg and Cade are on their way." She handed the baby to Tyler. "Arthur, serve drinks."

Eli chuckled. "I can pour."

Mick hadn't seen the Rices since Tyler's wedding. Brian stood to shake his hand. "I heard you're working for Calhoun."

He nodded. "Homestead owned by Calhoun's son."

Eli asked, "Do you like it?"

Mick nodded. "It's been interesting so far. I traveled for three days last week, not that Harrisburg is an exotic destination."

Everyone laughed. "Maybe you'll go to Ohio."

"Probably, but that's your territory."

"I miss my sisters, but not those small towns."

Eli teased. "Tyler likes going to Walmart."

"Hey, we go every few weeks. I'd be crazy to spend the inflated prices on Pampers and wipes."

Leigh smiled. "I think it's good that Poppy has made him more practical."

Eli signed. "I'm a public servant. I have to be practical. Leigh makes more than me."

Brian asked, "Are you still thinking about quitting?"

"In the future, but I have a reckless homicide case."

Everyone congratulated Eli. It was strange to celebrate someone's death. Tyler walked over to Mick while Eli and Leigh talked to Brian. Poppy sat next to Shannon with the baby talking about Meg's pregnancy.

The two friends stood off to the side. "How was the gallery?"

Mick shrugged. "It was good. I bought a photograph. My boss and Harper are an item. I think they both liked each other, and I became the bridge that got them together."

Tyler laughed. "A structurally engineered bridge. Any interesting women?"

"Ted Calhoun was there with his wife."

"The cookie lady?" Tyler smiled.

"What?" Mick wondered if Tyler had been sniffing baby powder.

"She started The Cookie Lady shops. Have you seen them?"

Mick nodded. "I've never gone in."

"I love Kristen's baked goods, but your boss's cookies are out of this world."

"No one has mentioned it. I'm surprised Harper hasn't."

"I only know because Meg told me. Her boss is friends with yours and Whitby."

Mick laughed. "Poppy complains about her small town, but Boston feels like one."

"Are you telling me there were no prospects last night?"

"None that interested me. Meanwhile, Hunter has to choose between the girl he likes and one who likes him. The catch is they are friends."

"Why is he wasting time on a girl who doesn't like him?"

Mick laughed. "I don't know, Ty, why? Her divorce hurt her, so he's up against her past. Maybe he likes the challenge."

"Too bad. What she needs is the right guy to love her."

"Or. I don't know." Mick shook his head, not sure what he thought. "He asked her to the gala, but she blew him off."

"Are they dating?"

Mick shrugged. "They've gone out."

"Maybe you'll get to see her. I have a seat for you."

"I'll be an odd number."

Tyler laughed. "I don't care."

Meg arrived before they sat down to dinner. He leaned over and kissed her. "She's bigger."

"I'm a beach ball."

Tyler said, "If she was blue she would look like the girl who blew up in..."

"Tyler!" Poppy glared.

"I know I'm swollen. My doctor is watching me. I might have to go on bedrest."

"But everything will be okay?" Mick's heart raced.

"If I'm careful."

Chickie said, "I seasoned without salt for Meg."

Mick felt bad; it seemed like everyone knew, but him. At least, he didn't insult her. Tyler was busy apologizing to Poppy with his lips.

Mick turned to Cade. "Are you going to the Children's gala?"

"If she can."

"Are you worried?"

Cade shrugged. "I trust the doctor. Every week matters."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Cade smirked. "Meg said you would worry."

"She's my family."

The people in the room were his family as were his cousins. He could count his blessings or dwell on what he lacked. He took the glass half full approach. 

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