It was where we celebrated birthdays, argued over board games, and pretended not to notice when Kai cheated at cards.
One Christmas, he had hidden three extra cards beneath his thigh.
When I caught him, he looked offended.
“Kevin, I am a businessman. I understand strategy.”
“You’re playing Go Fish.”
“Exactly. High stakes.”
Mom had slapped his arm while laughing.
Even his cheating had become family entertainment.
That particular weekend, my parents invited us to spend three days at the lake house.
Kai arrived first, as usual.
By the time Molly and I pulled into the driveway, he was on the deck with Dad, discussing a major project at his company.
“I might be moving into a senior leadership position,” Kai announced as we got out of the car.
Dad’s face lit up.
“Now we’re talking!”
Mom rushed outside and hugged him.
“Oh, Kai! We knew this day would come.”
