Page 91 of Shiny Things

But that wasn’t all. Coming in behind her was my entire family: Dad, Ryan, Gia, David, and even Dean.

“What the hell are you all doing here?”

“We came to check on Kim,” Dean informed me.

“She’s supposed to be resting.”

“Really? Because she looks like she’s about to buy Baltic Avenue,” Gia pointed out.

Kim got up to stand by my side.

“I’m fine you guys. Everyone can stop fussing over me.”

After the fiasco yesterday, I was happy to see my family making an effort at least.

“Everyone, this is Clarence and Andrew, Kim’s father and brother. And this is everyone.”

“Clarence? Is that really you? My, time has flown by.”

“Lena? Wow. How long has it been?”

My mother giggled. “Gosh, it’s been far too long, old friend.”

“Wait, you two know each other?” Kim asked.

“Well sure. Ravenden isn’t that big, kiddo. We lived down the street from each other. She was my first friend.”

“Gosh, that was a long time ago.”

The dreamy yet sad look in my mother’s eyes made me think there was a lot more to their story, but I couldn’t let myself think about Mom and Clarence together in any sort of romantic way. I mean, she was the most outspoken person in favor of the class system that I knew.

“So how have you been, Lena?”

“I’ve been good, Clary. How are you?”

“Clary?” Kim and Andrew said at the same time.

“Lena?” Dad asked.

Clarence chuckled. “She was the only one that ever got to call me that without getting their teeth knocked out.”

Mom chuckled. “Same. I had forgotten about that old nickname. Clarence was the only one that ever called me that.”

“Do I need to be worried about anything here?” Dad teased.

My parents were madly in love and happily mated. Nothing and no one could ever come between that.

I looked over at Kim and smiled. Just like the two of us now.

“Who would have thought all those years ago that you and I would someday be family.”

Mom side eyed me. I knew she still wasn’t happy about it, but she was trying. And I had full faith that in time she would grow to love Kim as much as I did.

“I guess we’re not going to be playing games tonight after all,” Andrew said.

“Why not? Lena here used to love Monopoly. How about it?”

“Why not?” Mom shocked us all by saying.

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