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Eve basked in his pride for her. She squeezed his thigh under the table, beaming.
Mr. Larssen took a sip of coffee.“What are your plans for theday?”
Adam set his cup down with a clink.“We’re going sightseeing in Oslo.”
“Don’t forgetKjøsterudjuvet.”
Adam grinned.“That’s tomorrow. We both brought hiking shoes.”
•
Eve stared at the microwave in puzzlement. There were symbols, but she had no idea which one she needed. She tried pressing one, but all she managed to do was make beeping noises.
Crap. She hoped she hadn’t woken anyone.
The hope was dashed the next moment when she heard slow, dragging footsteps, and in walked Bestemor, wool slippers on her feet, a thick shawl wrapped around her shoulders.
“I’m so sorry,” Eve began,“I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s all right, child.” Her voice was soothing.“I wasn’t sleeping. At this age, five hours is enough.” She eyed the microwave.“What did you need?”
“Trying to heat some milk. It helps me sleep. I’m having trouble with the jet lag.”
“Ah.” Grandma pressed a symbol, and the appliance hummed to life, light coming on inside as the mug began to rotate.
“Thank you.”
“Glad to help.”
Eve felt the woman’s piercing stare, even though the kitchen was so dark. She didn’t leave, and Eve had the impression she wanted to say something, but for a long time, the only sound was the whir of the microwave fan.
At last, Adam’s grandmother spoke.“My son told me Adam finally found someone, but I had a hard time believing it. I wanted to see the two of you together. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be, but what he feels for you is clear to me.”
Eve watched the mug slowly revolve, not knowing what to say.
Grandma placed a gentle hand on her arm.“I asked him to bringyou. Thank you for coming. You’ve made an old woman very happy.”
“I’m glad to be here and to meet you. This is a very special place for Adam. I’m honored to have been invited.”
Grandma nodded and let another few moments pass before she spoke again.“That boy was literally born in my hands. He was almost six weeks early. Ruined his father’s twentieth birthday celebration. Frida had sixty guests invited and spent a fortune on the preparations. She thought she’d set the date early enough, but her water broke the morning of the party, and Adam arrived before we even had a chance to call an ambulance.”
“You lived in Alaska back then?”
“Yes. I always wanted to return to Drammen but stayed until Erik was grown and off to college.”
“Ah, that’s why your English is so good.”
“You are too kind.”
Eve hoped to learn more.“So, Adam was born early.” Eve smiled because she, too, had been a preemie. “He hasn’t really changed.”
Grandma chuckled.“No, he hasn’t. He always wanted to be ahead of everyone and everything. For the most part, he has succeeded.”
Eve held her breath. Perhaps, finally, she would find out how Adam’s wife had died.
The microwave beeped four times. Grandma extracted the steaming mug and offered it to her.
“The Larssens thought it was important to marry very early and have babies right away. Their way of making sure the children were healthy and the parents were young and strong enough to raise them.