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“Do the twins know?”
“They found out before we even told them.”
“Those are my nieces.” Deborah laughed. “I'm very happy for you, brother.” She leaned over the table and stroked my shoulder. “God forbid a grumpy old man who stopped living too soon.”
“Don't overdo it.”
“You deserved another woman. A young and beautiful one like her.”
“If something happens...”
“The only thing that can happen is that you ruin everything by being an idiot. So please don't. My beautiful nieces and I are rooting for you.”
“Thank you.” Laughs.
“See? You're even more polite.”
“What about you?”
“What's wrong with me?”
“Anyone?”
“Let's not talk about my love disappointments.”
“Instead of trying so hard to convince me, you need to find someone else.”
“Believe me, I'm trying. At least I'm the youngest and have more time.” She shrugged.
I liked my youngest; Deborah was witty, kind and generally tried to see the world in a better light, even if I thought she was disappointed most of the time. She, Tyler, and I got on well, even though they had chosen other paths in law rather than being at the firm with me.
“When are you going to introduce her to the rest of the family?”
“Let's take it easy.”
“Do you think Mom might scare her?”
“I don't know.”
“If the twins have already approved it, we don't have to dispute anything else. You know that we all just want to see you happy.”
I nodded.
The waiter brought our plates, and the conversation continued until we both had to attend to our afternoon commitments. But it did me good to talk to my sister and be able to open up a bit in a relaxed way.
Chapter twenty-nine
“Principal?” I knocked on the woman's door when the children were asleep and waited for her to raise her eyes to look at me.
“Come in.” He adjusted his glasses on his nose as he took a good look at me.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Go ahead.” He indicated the chair in front of him.
“I...” I swallowed, gathering my courage and searching for the best words to talk to her about without the subject ending up in my dismissal. As well as needing the money, I loved my job.
“What's wrong?” He squeezed his eyes shut.