At first she didn’t recognize her son. “Excuse me, is there a…” Adele asked a young man sitting near the door, then stopped, her mouth open. “Oh my goodness, Carl, you’re so thin!” she gasped. He had been husky back in Follett Creek; not fat, but definitely robust. The young man who smiled at her now was sculpted to chiseled perfection. He was gorgeous, Sylvie thought wretchedly.

“Mom!” Carl said warmly, standing to hug her. “Yeah, I’ve been working out at the gym,” he told his mother, ruffling her hair in a gesture so Carl-like it brought tears to Sylvie’s eyes. Her heart ached. “Gotta keep the old pecs cut. I’m a city boy now.” Sylvie felt both invisible and dreadfully conspicuous, hurt and relieved that Carl didn’t seem to notice her. After a moment of horrible tension, Carl said, “Hey, let’s sit down and get some lunch.”

Only then did he see Sylvie. “No! Syllie, is that you?” He seemed nearly as shocked as Adele had been by his appearance. “You’re… oh my God, you’re a woman! Look at you!” A huge grin split his face and he stood to hug her tightly. Sylvie’s face heated. She hugged him back spasmodically, then ducked her face away as she sat. Carl was grinning happily at her, almost as though he were genuinely pleased by her presence. That couldn’t be true, though. Not after what she had done to him all those years ago.

“Kiddo, listen,” Carl said, “Let me say this right up front. I’m really, really sorry I left without saying goodbye. I meant to, you know, but everything got crazy. I’ve felt bad about that ever since. It must have been a shock to you. And then, well, I would have written, but… stuff happened. I kept getting distracted.” Now he looked ashamed and squirmingly uncomfortable. The slowly building tension had become unbearable.

“Forget it,” Sylvie mumbled, her face burning. She didn’t know what to say or where to look. Why was she here? She should have stayed at the Home and let her mother visit with Carl. She had been so eager to see him; this whole adventure had begun on a wave of need to see her brother, but now, her desire had turned to soggy ash in her stomach. She felt sick. She wished they hadn’t met in such a public place. She wanted to throw herself onto her bed and cry into her pillow. Her face felt as stiff as cardboard.

Adele had been looking hard at each of her children in turn. Finally she spoke. “Well, heavens, you could cut the air in here with a knife. What’s going on?” She tried to speak lightly, but she could feel the tension in her throat.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Sylvie choked, just as Carl said, “It’s all good, Mom.” They looked at each other and laughed despite themselves. To her own horror, Sylvie’s involuntary giggle turned into a sob. She covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders shook.

Adele put her arm over her daughter’s shoulders and looked helplessly at Carl. Glancing at the waiter who had approached to take their order, he said, “We’ll need a couple more minutes to decide.” Shrugging, the waiter moved on.

Reaching across the table, Carl took Sylvie’s hand in his own. “Hey, Syllie,” he said softly, “It’s okay, it’s only me, your big brother. Remember?” Sylvie’s sobs burst forth and she tried to choke them back by pressing her palm into her mouth. Patiently, Carl and Adele waited, one holding her hand, the other’s arm draped protectively over her shoulder, until her sobs subsided.

“Now,” Carl coaxed, squeezing her hand gently, “Can you tell me what’s wrong? Am I so hideous?” He crossed his eyes as if trying to see his own face. “Is it the fangs? I thought they were a little over the top…”

Despite herself, Sylvie giggled. “I guess it is still you,” she whispered huskily. Her throat hurt. “You haven’t changed at all. Except for the fangs, I mean,” she added with a shaky grin.

“That’s my girl!” her brother laughed, then turned to place their orders.

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