Dinner was a family and social event to the Lee's. But tonight, Aaron was not around.
"The man in the lake brought us luck, mom," Josh said, as they feasted on the grilled fish that the group caught.
"Who is that man?" Isabella asked.
"We don't know. But he was slender; tall like this height, bushy eyebrows, small lips, fair skin. He was there the whole day," replied Josh, demonstrating how the man looked. "He has a striking resemblance with somebody we know... don't you think so?"
Evan and Yuri chorused, "yes... ha ha ha... "
"Maybe a neighbor who got lost," Isabella said.
Zen was looking at Isabella as she fed Michael.
All of a sudden, Jackson barked as if there was an invisible presence in the room.
The four looked at each other, their eyes big; then, they laughed.
Zoraida meowed, too.
"Spoiler." Yuri said.
"I don't know of any neighbor by those looks who fish in the lake." Mom's eyebrows told everyone that she was winding up her recollection of their neighbors. "The ones who frequent there was one wide and one short man. Maybe there were others I don't know."
"But we just met him. We looked as he professionally hooked the fish with his rod." Suzy said.
"How did you know he was professional?"
"Mom, he was comfortable using his rod like the back of his hand," Josh justified.
Then, the four looked at each other.
"Maybe it was a real ghost," suggested Evan, with a naughty smile. He was trying to make everybody laugh.
"It was broad daylight!" exclaimed Yuri.
"I was kidding," Evan said.
"No, he wasn't," Josh said.
"Hmm, I have an idea. Why don't we plan for Halloween since it's near?" Evan proposed.
"I have a better idea. Why don't we go back to the lake? I'd love to fish than attend a Halloween party." Josh remarked.
That was understandable to the three.
"I vote yes," Yuri said. He'd love to please Josh, Suzy's brother.
Suzy also said, "yes."
"Okay, yes," nodded Evan.
Everyone was smiling. They thought they were giving in to Josh's whim.
Isabella thought Aaron would make it to the dinner. She was getting used to his absence although consoled to see that her kids, with their friends, were getting along well. She was happy just by looking at them grow up healthy and happy, too.
"Help Eleanor and Ellie wash the plates; then, help your friends change into sleeping clothes while we put Michael to bed, okay?"
Josh and Suzy obeyed Isabella. They helped Eleanor and Ellie wash the plates and clean the dining room.