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THE KIDS GAVE Mariah a little space. My grandfather was almost as taken with the striking paramedic as my boys were. Why not? She was engaging and bright. Mary Catherine got her introduction over FaceTime, via an iPad linked to Mary Catherine’s phone in the master bedroom. Mary Catherine held off on her usual grilling of a visitor. The FaceTime showed only her face. Earlier, she had seemed touchy about having a guest come see her in the bedroom. I understood. Everyone wants to be seen at their best.

Fiona stepped into the living room and announced that dinner was served. I smiled at her attempt to lower the pitch of her voice and sound formal. When I looked toward the dining table, I was shocked. Somehow, while we chatted only a room away, Bridget, Fiona, and Trent had managed to set a beautiful table. There were plates, two glasses, and the correct silverware at each seat except two. The iPad sat on the table so Mary Catherine and Juliana could eat with us. Juliana had insisted that Mary Catherine not be left alone for a family dinner.

Rob Trilling sat to my right with Mariah next to him. I leaned in close and asked, “Does Mariah know about your roommates?”

He turned to me and whispered, “No.”

“She going to find out anytime soon?”

He just shrugged.

Then Ricky stepped out of the kitchen dressed in a chef’s uniform, including hat and white jacket.

I blurted out, “Where’d you get that outfit?”

Ricky said, “Juliana got it from the prop department of the playhouse where she’s working. She has to get it back tomorrow.” He motioned toward the kitchen. Trent and the twins marched out with serving bowls, set them on the table, and all three stayed in line as they went back for more.

Ricky made a show of uncovering each dish. The manicotti smelled divine. I realized he was mimicking what they did on Rising Chefs . He was practicing.

Mariah asked him, “Did you make this all yourself?”

Ricky beamed. “Everything.”

Trent added, “I set the table.”

Eddie said, “I sliced some onions.”

Even Brian said, “I took Ricky to the store to buy everything.”

I smiled as I caught Jane rolling her eyes at her brothers.

Dinner proceeded like most of our Sunday dinners. Loud conversation. A lot of people talking over one another. And excellent food. Everyone had a glass of water, and the adults had wine. The younger kids settled for grape juice and pretended. My grandfather seemed to drink their share of the wine.

Mary Catherine occasionally chimed in from the bedroom.

I enjoyed seeing Rob Trilling out of our usual element and with a pretty girl. Mariah was social enough to cover some of his shyness.

After a while, she offered, “I’m from a big family too. But nothing like this. Just a sister and three brothers. But we don’t work as well together as you guys.”

Seamus said, “Family is a blessing. They can be a lot of work too, but mainly a blessing. With God’s help, we’ll have another blessing soon.”

From the iPad, Mary Catherine said, “Amen.”

Mariah looked at the iPad and said, “Juliana, I understand you’re an actress. What play are you in now?”

Juliana’s face came partially onto the screen. “Nothing really. Just an amateur production of Godspell .”

Mary Catherine said, “Don’t be so modest. She’s super in the play. Juliana’s going to be a star.”

Mary Catherine’s supportive tone finally made me realize why Juliana had fled to the bedroom when Rob Trilling and Mariah arrived. Damn, I can be slow on the uptake sometimes. I knew that in the past Juliana had had some kind of feelings for Trilling, but they both claimed to be just friends. Now I guessed some other feelings had bubbled up.

While I was still mulling this over, Ricky and Fiona brought out a dessert of tiramisù on one of our silver serving platters. After a couple of pieces were sent to the bedroom and we all finished our portions, Mary Catherine declared it the “best dinner ever.”

Chrissy said, “Ricky is going to win that show. I want to go with him.”

Ricky said, “Only two people can come with me, and one has to be a parent or guardian.”

I said, “I’ll be there.”

The night continued to be a success. As we said our good-byes, I realized I had to face reality tomorrow morning.