Page 12 of Package Deal

“You two need to keep your story straight.” Glen helped himself to the steak and the mashed potatoes, but ignored the salad. That was the hill for me to die on later.

“She’s both.” Sean eyed the salad and with a sigh, put the tiniest amount on his plate.

“Yeah? So, what am I supposed to say if someone asks who my stepmom is?” Glen asked.

There was no point battling the stepmom problem right now. I had to get the kid to like me first.

“It depends on who’s asking. If Russians ask, then I’m Russian. If Ukrainians ask, then I’m Ukrainian. If Americans ask, then I’m Ukrainian because Russians are the bad guys.”

“That’s convenient,” Glen said, his eyes growing more curious. “I don’t know if the KGB talk makes you sound like the good guy, though.”

“No, but what sounds cooler, ‘My future sister-in-law is Ukrainian’ or ‘My future sister-in-law works for the KGB’?”

“Are you teaching my little brother to lie?” Sean asked.

“Truth is relative.”

“Sounds like something a KGB agent would say,” Glen said, smiling into his food.

Sean grinned ear to ear as he shoveled food into his mouth.