“Collin, your girl’s here!” Gina called, leading me toward the kitchen.
I shook my head and turned to argue with her about that title, but we’d already arrived in the large, open kitchen with an eclectic array of copper pots and pans hanging from the ceiling. Collin looked up from where he was bending to pull a pan out of the oven and cussed.
The image of him wearing two oversized flowery oven mitts nearly made me burst out into giggles. I was definitely seeing a whole other side to him. His resulting glower at Gina was priceless. I pressed my fingers to my mouth and held myself together.
“Seriously, Gina?” He asked her, yanking off the mitts and wiping the back of his hand across his forehead. “There’s a reason I don’t bring friends over here. You’re going to kill my reputation.”
“Fine, but watch the language, boy,” she said, smiling and shaking a finger at him simultaneously. “You know the rules around here.”
“Sorry.” He winked at me and smiled. “Gina and Tripp have all kinds of rules. It’s basically a dictatorship around here.”
“A dictatorship of love,” she shot back, going to sniff the pan he’d removed from the oven.
While they playfully bickered, I leaned back against the kitchen counter and took a moment to
look around. Their home was spacious, although a bit shabbier than my apartment. Photo frames hung everywhere, kids smiling in every shot. I recognized Collin in a few. Ally in some others. The fridge was covered in homemade art and report cards. A large dining table with bench seating stood just beyond a breakfast bar and was already set for seven people.
Gina rushed toward the table with a pitcher full of water and began to pour drinks. Collin moved in beside me, close enough that our shoulders brushed. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and ducked. My heart was still smarting from our conversation two days ago, but I couldn’t deny that even in that short amount of time, I’d missed him.
“Listen, I apologize in advance for what happens tonight,” he said in a low tone. “I have no control over these people. They’re determined to ruin me.”
Despite his warnings, I could hear a very strong affection in his voice. He obviously loved Gina and the rest of his foster family. It was easy to tell. Just standing here in this kitchen, it was clear that this was a home filled to the attic with love. It left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling that wrapped around me like a warm blanket.
The sliding glass door to the backyard opened and at once, four people spilled in. The first was a tall, lanky man with a surprisingly bushy mustache and shiny bald head. He was followed by a little girl with tightly braided black hair, who looked about eight, and a similar aged boy with a shock of fine blond hair. Ally brought in the rear, waving and smiling at me as if I were her long lost sister.
“Right on time,” Gina said as she carried the tray of enchiladas to the table. Reaching up to the balls of her feet, she kissed the bald man while the two younger kids groaned and slapped hands over their eyes.
“That’s Tripp,” Collin explained. “And my little foster siblings, Diamond and Peter.”
“Hi. I’m in third grade,” Diamond said, bounding over to tug on my hand. “I like dinosaurs and elephants. You’re pretty. Come sit by me.”
Diamond was about as cute as a puppy. I smiled over my shoulder at Collin as she led me away. He returned my smile, amusement flashing in his eyes. She led me to the table and pointed at a spot in the middle, next to where Peter already sat. I took my seat, the rest of the family filling in the others. Tripp sat at the head of the table and Gina on the opposite side. Collin and Ally claimed the long side across from me.
“Peter, would you like to say grace for the table?” Tripp asked, folding his hands.
The little boy looked at me, his eyes wide with fear, and shook his head. I immediately felt bad for him. I was intruding on his family life. He was so little and fragile looking, I wanted to scoop him up and give him a big hug, but that would probably freak him out.
“That’s okay, buddy,” Tripp said in a soft voice. “You’ll get there. Diamond, would you like to do the honors?”
“Yes, please.” Diamond sat up rod straight and bowed her head solemnly. The whole room went silent, waiting for her to continue. Finally, with a deep breath, she said, “Lord, you know we love to eat. Please don’t let Gina’s food taste like concrete. Amen.”
I felt my eyes go buggy as I stared across the table at Collin. He quirked a smile in my direction, shook his head, and then leaned forward to grab a bowl of rice. Apparently, such events were normal in this home, because no one commented. Instead, they began to pass food around and load up their plates.
“Audrey, I understand you’re a cheerleader at Rock Valley,” Tripp said, shoving an enchilada in his mouth and staring at me expectantly.
“Um...yeah.” I chewed on my cheek, not really sure being the mascot counted. It did to my mom, and that was all that mattered to me. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
He nodded and his eyebrows raised. “And I hear you play guitar? And sing in the choir?”
I nodded. Those things, I could easily claim. Although, I had to wonder how they knew so much about me. I’d never seen them at any of my events.
“Any plans for school after you graduate?” Tripp leaned his elbows on the table. “Maybe a state school?”
“Hey dude, this is starting to sound like a job interview,” Collin interrupted with a sour expression.
“I’m not trying to interview her. I was just wondering,” Tripp replied, flinging his fork. “Sounds like she’s got a lot of potential.”