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“Mom, this is Cia,” I told her and was delighted when my mom broke into a warm smile and shook Cia’s hand. “I’ve heard so much good about you.”
“Likewise,” Cia said politely and was nudged around the room by my mother to be introduced to everyone.
I stayed close by and smiled when my grandmother, who is partially deaf and a bit senile, thought Cia was Mia.
“I can’t believe how much you’ve grown, child. How old are you now?” Granny said, and Cia looked confused.
“I’m twenty-one.”
“Twenty-one?” Granny looked to Charlie, my grandfather. “How can that be?”
“No, Mom,” my mother, Katie, said. “This is Cia, she’s Gabriel’s new girlfriend. Mia is still thirteen and over there.” She pointed to the couch. “See, she’s reading.”
My granny nodded her head. “Oh, I see… I apologize,” she said to Cia. “But you do look a lot like Mia, though.”
Cia’s eyes fell on Mia, who looked up at the mention of her name, and yes, Granny was right, there was a resemblance between the two half-sisters.
Melody came when we all sat down at the table. She gave Cia a quick hug. “I’m so glad to see you decided to give us a chance.” She smiled.
It was a funny thing to sit there and observe the normal family dynamics with new eyes. I kept trying to see it from Cia’s perspective - the way we lovingly teased each other, especially Melody, who for some reason has chosen to become a vegan and start a vegan specialty shop in the University district, despite the fact that she’s a lawyer by profession.
She’s been a vegan for five years now and gets absolutely no support from the family except from my mom, who shows good intentions.
“I ordered some special bacon for you,” my mom told her and pointed to a plate in front of Melody.
Melody set down the bowl of fruit she had in her hands and picked up the small plate. “What is this?” she asked.
“Vegan bacon,” my mom said reassuringly.
Melody sniffed at the bacon. “This isn’t vegan… it’s turkey,” she said with her nose wrinkled up.
“Well, isn’t that better than pigs?” my mom asked.
“It’s still an animal. I can’t eat anything from animals.”
“Here, have some eggs at least,” Mia said with sympathy.
Melody sighed and shook her head. “Mia, where do you think eggs come from?”
Steve sat in his captain’s chair at the end of the table like the patriarch he was.
“Melody, how is your business going?” he said and drew everyone’s attention.
“Good. Don’t worry, your investment is safe. We are expanding our market share,” Melody said and took a bite of a large strawberry.
“And are you dating anyone?”
“Nope, and please stop trying to set me up with any more men. The last guy called me fourteen times before he gave up.”
“John is one of the richest bachelors in the country,” Steve defended.
“So what? He’s over fifty and has been married four times. Just stay out of my love life, Dad.”
“We’ll see.” Steve turned his head to Brittany’s husband. “And what about you, Gareth? Did you get that promotion you talked about?”
Gareth took a sip of his juice and shook his head. “No, I’m afraid not.”
“We’re thinking of taking a cruise to Alaska this fall.” my mom interjected. It was her specialty to change the subject before Steve ruined the fun with his business talk and hard questions.
