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“Yay!” They cheered.
“But only if they eat it all.” Thomas was firm.
The girls looked at each other and nodded.
“Let's go into the dining room.” Grandma held out her hand for them to go with her
The girls ran off and left me as if they hadn't even remembered I was there. I laughed to myself. I was used to children, so I knew how they behaved.
“They're a comedy,” his sister commented to me.
“I love children.”
“Thomas said you're a teacher, but you don't have children, right?”
I said no.
“Studying and looking after my grandmother were my main priorities in recent years.”
“What's it like dealing with both?”
“Well... I love them, and I think they love me too.”
“Sit down, Helena!” Mary waved for me to settle down in the chair between her and her sister.
“They certainly love you.” Deborah smiled. “They're planning to have more after...”
“Let's take it easy.” Thomas interrupted the conversation by placing his hands on my back and guiding me to the chair his daughters had already reserved for me.
“Okay.” Deborah giggled.
“You said you live with your grandmother,” their father brought it up. “Your parents...”
Thomas glared, but I didn't mind the question.
“My mother keeps disappearing and showing up at the most inopportune moments, while my father, she never knew who he was.”
“I'm sorry.”
“That's all right. I'm used to it.”
“Did you study at Columbia?”
“With a full scholarship.”
“Apparently, she was an exemplary student.”
“I had to work hard because my grandmother wouldn't be able to pay for university for me.”
The man opened his mouth again, but before he could ask another question, Thomas stopped him.
“Dad, that's enough!”
“I admire those who make up for a lack of opportunities with effort.”
“Thank you, sir.” I smiled at him, pleased with his comment.
I hadn't grown up in a beautiful house surrounded by luxury and refinement like them, but I had always done my best to achieve my goals, and I was very proud of the person I had become.