He got out of his car with his briefcase and jacket, then walked into his house. The smell of home cooking filled his nose and made his mouth water.
He followed the scent to the back patio, where the kids were setting up the table like a single unit. Christine wore a bright yellow dress and offered him a smile when he shut the glass door.
The table had a white tablecloth spread over it. It was filled with roast turkey, salad, mashed potatoes, and a centerpiece of fresh carnations added a pop of color.
"Mike, you're home," she said as she set down a bottle of white wine in a bucket on the table.
He nodded, rubbing the exhaustion off his forehead. "Yeah, you guys must have had a great day at the mall."
"The best!" One of the girls, Millie, he guessed, said with glee.
"I thought we could have dinner outside; it has a great view," Christine told him. "Is that okay?"
He stared at her for a second. "Sure, I'll uh go change."
"Of course," she nodded. "We'll just finish setting up."
Mike strolled back inside and climbed upstairs to his room, shed his clothes, and took a shower. He changed into a short-sleeved blue shirt tucked in khakis, combed his hair, and went back down. The kids were already seated, chatting animatedly.
"Mr. Russo," someone called to him.
He flinched upon seeing Daphne holding a Gecko to him. "Uh, hello?"
"Named him Gizmo, isn't he sweet?" She asked.
Mike lifted a brow at the reptile, perched in her hand. "Wow, that's a great name."
She leaned in. "Can I keep him around? Christine says to ask first. You're not allergic, are you?"
At least it was a quiet pet. "I don't believe I am. You can keep him."
"Sweet," Daphne grinned.
"Daph, keep that...thing away." Christine called.
They left him a seat at the head; Christine sat at his side, while Tommy sat at the other side.
Mike had just picked up his fork when Christine said, "Noah, would you like to say grace before meals?"
Mike set his fork down; he'd been raised Catholic but had long stopped going to church.
Noah's eyes widened in disbelief. "Me?"
Christine nodded and gritted her teeth. "Yes, please."
Noah groaned and shut his eyes.
Mike noticed Jay discreetly holding up his cell phone, recording Noah's discomfort without him noticing.
Noah cleared his throat and began the prayer. "Dear God, thank you for this food...and for, uh, not making us eat at a soup kitchen...or a dumpster, I guess."
Mike lifted a brow.
Everyone muttered an awkward "Amen at the end and opened their eyes. Jay hid his cell phone before Christine could look in his direction.
"I thought the white wine would be great with the meal," Christine told Mike as she handed him the bottle.
"That's fine." He agreed and uncorked the bottle, filling the glass in front of her.
Kimiko asked Mike as she helped herself with mashed potatoes when the bowl was passed to her. "How long have you been rich, Mr Russo?"
Mike froze, narrowing his eyes slightly and chuckling before responding."Uh, since I was born?"
"What's that like?" Kimiko asked.
Everyone turned to him.
Hmm, no one had ever asked him that.
"He probably doesn't have to worry about the bills or running out of gas," Jay said to them.
Beth, the goth queen, asked as she bit into a forkful of salad. "What's your opinion on restaurants selling food made out of shark fins? They just cut the fins and toss the shark back into the ocean."
Tommy winced. "Dude..."
"Well Beth, I think that's disgusting, and I've never had shark fin soup...but I've had squid." Mike answered.
Kimiko made a face. "Ew."
Mike agreed. "Exactly."
Christine intervened, drumming her hands lightly on the table. "Okay, let's switch topics, guys."
Mike lifted his glass to his lips.
Kimiko asked Mike flatly. "Why aren't you married?"
Mike widened his eyes and choked on his wine; he quickly dabbed his lips and stared at the eight-year-old. He set his glass down to collect his thoughts.
She certainly had a talent for the element of surprise. It almost reminded him of his mother.
Millie pressed her lips together. "Just go with it. She'll never stop."
Mike shrugged. "Uh, I haven't met the right person yet." He said, keeping his tone lighthearted. Not that he was planning to go down that road...again.
"Why do grownups have that problem?" Kimiko asked again, glancing at Christine, who avoided eye contact with her.
Ah shit. What would he do for something stronger than the wine?
"I suppose they're trying to avoid running into problems, uh, like a big settlement check, who gets the kids this weekend." Mike bit into a slice of turkey; it tasted good.
Kimiko craned her neck with a confused stare. Christine shot him in the side eye.
Tommy began. "Wow, you must be terrible with kids...ow." A mild thud was heard.
Mike decided to switch the conversation again before Kimiko recovered. "So, Noah, you play football?" He turned to the seventeen-year-old next to him.
"Nah," Noah drawled and jabbed a thumb at Tommy.
Tommy straightened and spoke sheepishly. "Yeah...but I, uh... I'm on the reserve team."
Mike's lips curled down. "That's terrible...ow." A similar thud was heard again, this time Christine stepped on his foot.
Tommy shrugged. "Coach says I'm not ready yet, but I've been practicing to be a linebacker for months."
Mike did notice the kid was solid-built and athletic.
"Maybe Coach Dalton's just a major turd," Noah pointed out.
"Noah," Christine warned.
Noah shrugged, "Everyone knows that."
Mike looked at Noah. "Steve Dalton?"
Noah lifted a brow. "Yeah, know him?"
Mike nodded. "He was the captain of the team when we were in high school, while I was at St. Luke's. I can't believe he's Coach now."
Jay smirked. "Man, you were a prep school kid too?"
"My dad didn't believe in the public school system." Mike revealed, eight pairs of eyes stared at him, and he tried to cover up. "Not by choice, I think George Washington High kids had all the fun."
"Yeah, right," Tommy said with skepticism.
"Speaking of which, I've still got that career parent night." Kimiko said to Christine.
Christine shut her eyes. "Oh yeah, definitely working on that. I suppose now that we're settled in, we all look forward to getting back to school."
The kids groaned in unison at the mention of school.
Mike's lips curled up into a smile.