During a lull in the conversation, Dad turned to me and said, “Hey, champ, Mom tells me there’s a new lady in your life?”
“Another new girlfriend?” Hannah asked, exasperated.
“A new, new girlfriend,” Izzy offered, giggling.
Mom froze with a slice halfway between her plate and her lips, watching Dad with a hint of a smirk.
I cleared my throat. I stammered. Finally, I said, “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know.”
“What’s her name again, babe?” Dad asked Mom.
Mom set down the slice. She knew Dad’s little routines. She replied, “I told you once, dear.”
Dad said, “Oh, right. I remember. Her name is Mora.”
“Mora?” Lauren asked, glancing between me and Dad.
“Sure,” Dad said. “Mora–but I can’t quite recall–. She’s got one of those hyphenated last names. Oh, yeah, Cox-Tukiss is her last name.”
Lauren shook her head. “Never heard of her,” she muttered.
Hanna and Izzy considered the name for a moment before shrugging and eating.
Mom covered her mouth with her napkin, shoulders shaking.
Dad winked at me. He said, “I hear she’s got a sore throat, champ.”
My face went bright red, I’m sure.
Stifling giggles, Mom cleared her throat and said, “A few doses of special cough syrup tonight, and I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”
*****
End Note: Thanks for reading. Errors are mine. Thoughtful comments are always appreciated.
FS
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