Molly concentrated very hard on her plate.
I watched her cut a piece of chicken into increasingly smaller pieces.
Mom noticed.
“Molly, sweetheart, are you all right?”
“Absolutely.”
“You look nervous.”
Molly laughed too quickly.
“I’m just tired.”
Kai leaned back in his chair.
“Big changes can make people nervous.”
He glanced at her.
She glanced at him.
The exchange lasted barely a second.
But I saw it.
Dad slapped Kai on the shoulder.
“Whatever this is, son, we’re proud of you.”
Kai grinned.
“I knew you’d say that.”
I put down my fork.
“Should we prepare a speech?”
Kai looked at me.
“Actually, Kevin, I was hoping you’d be there tomorrow. This news concerns the family.”
Molly’s fork stopped moving.
I looked directly at my brother.
“Does it?”
“Of course.”
“Interesting.”
Kai frowned.
“What’s interesting?”
“Nothing. I’m just curious how many people you plan to surprise.”
His smile tightened.
