From my latest short fiction, What Remains.

——–

Mom clears off the kitchen table and starts making organic espresso with the Aeropress. Freddie is fully himself as he and Starfall munch on packaged junk food. Mom gives them a look.

We talk finances for an hour and I watch Pop. I study his speech, his smiles, his looks at Mom. He knows I watch but changes nothing, he sees the need.