“We both live in Astoria, but my sister, Katie, lives in Portland,” Tori says.
The three of us begin to talk and get to know each other. The two of them, along with Katie, are the daughters of Ryan’s two aunts. They are all married with kids and live in Oregon. They told me that Ryan is the only one in the family that lives in Washington, that he moved there after high school to go to college and just never came back. They seem genuinely interested in me and ask a lot of questions about college and my dancing.
“Tori, Madison’s sick,” her sister says as she comes into the room.
Tori asks, “What’s wrong with her?”
“She was upstairs throwing up. I know there has been a stomach bug going around at her preschool, so I’m hoping that’s all it is. I laid her down in Ryan’s room, and she’s sleeping now.”
“Well, just let her rest. As long as she isn’t running a fever, I wouldn’t worry too much. I think Aunt Donna actually has some leftover Pedialite from when Connor got sick.”
Turning to me, she says, “I’m sorry, it’s been so crazy today, and I didn’t meet you earlier. I’m Katie, Tori’s sister.”
“I’m Candace.”
“So, Ryan finally brings a girl home. I can’t believe it,” she says.
I see Tori give Katie a wide-eyed, annoyed look, and Katie dramatically says, “What?!”
Jenna and Tori both shake their heads at her, and I’m beginning to feel awkward, so I just ask, “What do you mean?”
Surely he’s brought girls home before. From what Mark has told me about what he’s heard from Ryan’s friends, he has been through a slew of women.
Jenna tells me that all the women in the family are constantly giving him a hard time for never bringing a girl home, that I’m the first one.
“Well, we’re just friends. Honestly, I think he only invited me because he felt bad that I was going to spend Christmas by myself.”
The three of them give each other curious looks when I say this, which doesn’t do much for my comfort level. I feel like they know something I don’t, so I just come right out and ask, “Am I missing something here?”
Tori shakes her head at Jenna as Jenna leans in and quietly says, “I don’t think that’s why he invited you.”
“What do you mean?”
Before anyone has a chance to say anything, Ryan’s mom walks in and jokingly says, “You girls look like you’re up to some gossip.” Looking over at me, she says, “I’ve been so busy all day, I haven’t had a chance to visit with you. Let’s go chat.”
Donna’s personality reminds me a lot of Ryan’s. She’s not intimidating and seems fairly laidback and casual. She has a cute short bob of light blonde hair, and is tall and slender. She’s dressed casually for the day in black pants and a red cable-knit sweater.
I stand up and grab my glass of wine as I follow her through the living room where I see Ryan helping one of his nephews put together a puzzle. When he looks up at me as I pass through, he gives me an endearing grin as I smile back. His mother and I walk out of the room into a quiet study.
She makes herself comfortable on the couch with a cup of coffee in hand while I sit in one of the plush chairs. Setting my wine down on a little round table next to the chair, I thank her for having me as a guest.
“You are more than welcome. I have been wanting to meet you for a while now.”
I am flustered by her words, especially after the conversation I just had with his three cousins. “A while?” I ask.
“Yeah, ever since he first called me to tell me about you, I’ve been wanting us to meet.”
Not wanting to sound like I’m snooping, I just let her comments be. “Well, I’m glad we got to meet. Ryan’s been a good friend to me. I feel like I’m imposing a bit, but he insisted that I come.”
“You’re not imposing at all! When you have as many people over here as we do, adding one more to the mix is nothing,” she says with a giggle. “Ryan tells me you have a fairly small family.”
“Yeah, it’s just me and my parents.” Although I say this, I’m not so sure that’s even true after last night. I kind of feel like Jase is my only family now, and at the same time, I wonder how much longer I will have him. He and Mark are very serious, and I have no clue what will happen after we all graduate this year.
“I hope you don’t mind, but Ryan has told me a little bit about your family dynamics. I just wanted you to know that Ryan and I have a close relationship and he talks openly with me.”
“I don’t mind. I figured the two of you had a tight bond. You guys are lucky. I never had that with my parents.” I take a sip of my wine when I start to feel the lump in my throat return. I have always wished for that type of closeness with my parents, but it never came. And now we couldn’t be any more divided.