Page 28 of Grace of Spades

At first glance, they may look alike but it is clear that they are very different people. Thank God!

"It's nice to meet you. Andras said he's going to be a bit late at work so we can start without him." I blabber remembering that he, in fact, did not abandon me and told me he was running late when I got home. Man, nerves really fry your brain.

"You don't call him uncle?" Diane asks.

"Uh...well, to be honest, it's only been like three days of knowing I had other family. I'm still kind of adjusting. He hasn't said anything about it so I just assumed it was okay." I explain. Maybe I should ask him.

"I was just curious. No judgment." She says with a smile. Richard smiles at me giving me some silent support. He's awesome.

He leads us to the dining room where Ruby has the table set at one end of the long wooden table. We devolve into awkward silence immediately. Great start, Grace.

"So, what do you do for a living?" I ask. That's a normal question, right?

"We're retired, sweetie," Diane states. "What about you? Do you have a part-time job?" Well, that backfired.

"Um... Yeah, I fight," I mumble.

"I'm sorry?" They ask at the same time. Oh, boy.

"I...uh... fight? Well, that's what I did before I came here. I have a fight on Friday too." I explain.

"Like boxing?" Ronald asks.

"More of a mixed martial arts situation." I clarify. A slow smile spreads across his face making me fucking terrified.

"I used to box. That's how I met your grandmother." He beams. Yay! Bonding over violence! That, I can do.

"Really?" I ask.

"Oh, yes. He was very handsome. I was working as a bartender at Rudy's when we were in college." She smiles fondly at her husband.

"Rudy's? Downtown?" I ask.

"Yes, do you know it?"

"Yeah, that's where I fight! He added a gym behind the bar about ten years ago. I used to clean it in exchange for training." I say excitedly.

"How long have you been training?" Ronald asks.

"About seven years?" I say thinking back.

"Oh wow, you started early! What made you go into fighting?" And here comes the awkward.

"Uh... I was originally looking for self-defence." I say quietly.

"At ten? That's... smart. But I feel like there's more to this than just wanting to protect yourself." Diane hedges.

"There is," I admit.

"Did that bastard hurt you?" Ronald roars.

"Listen, I don't want to tell you bad things today." I hedge. I see Diane turn cold looking like Mom again and I feel my hands start to shake.

"It was both of them, wasn't it?" She asks in a low voice.

"Yes, ma'am," I whisper. In an instant, Ronald is up and storming out of the room and Diane is silently seething in her seat. Ruby chooses this time to bring out dinner. Poor thing.

"Thank you." I smile awkwardly as she dishes me a small helping.