Adam dragged Marnie into the kitchen, wrapping her in a fierce hug, before surveying her at arm's length.
“You look good, girl!” Adam said, grinning from ear to ear.
The chairs he gathered from the kitchen table scrapped across a light green slate tile. Marnie surveyed the room. This was much nicer than the one she had grown up in. It was painted the softest shade of blue. Stainless steel appliances stood out in the room. Big pots boiled on the stove. She closed her eyes, inhaling the smells of the Sunday feast and the warmth of the cozy kitchen.
“How have you been?” Adam asked, leaning forward in the chair.
“Okay.”
Her brother aged right before her eyes. In her memory, he'd always been the kid brother she never said goodbye to when she left seven years ago. Gone was the unruly curly brown hair. Instead, he wore it slicked into spikes, dyed with blond highlights. A diamond stud winked at her from his left ear. He had a small heart with initials A&M tattooed on the inside of his right wrist. His sleepy hazel eyes were the only remainder of the kid brother, she once gave knuckle sandwiches.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. Look.” The little girl entered the room and held what looked like a charm bracelet on her wrist. She shoved it into Adam's face. He leaned back and admired the bracelet. The misty look he'd given Marnie disappeared.
“That's nice, Marmar. Did Mommy make it for you?”
“Uh huh.” She spun herself around in a circle.
“Come here.” He set her on his lap then kissed the top of her curly mop.
“Marmar, I want you to meet a very special lady.”
Pools of chestnut eyes glanced at her before they returned to staring at the floor.
“Say hi to your auntie.”
Her lips parted and her head jerked back up. Her small hand raised briefly in a wave.
A breathless “Hi” escaped Marnie's lips. So soft, it was barely audible among the hiss and rumble of the pots, but loud enough to bring a smile to the little girl's lips.
She squirmed out of Adam's lap. “I want some more popcorn.”
They both turned in their seats as she scampered down the hallway.
“Marmar?” Marnie raised an eyebrow.
“Well, marshmallow, but really her name is Marnette.”
Her eyes widened. Her breath snatched from her. A tidal wave of emotions she'd locked away crashed against her.
“Had to wrestle with her mother about it, but it was the best name I knew,” Adam said sheepishly. He rubbed the back of his neck and leaned forward.
“It's really good to see you. I… I missed you.” Tears welled in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away with the back of his wrist.
“Same here.” Marnie patted his hand.
Adam smiled, then stood up, holding out his hand to pull her up.
“Well, I can't hog you forever. Better hurry back to the living room before they freak out.”
Marnie sighed as she took his hand. She preferred to stay in the kitchen with him, but he was right.
Back in the living room Paul and Danny were in a heated debate.
“The Bears are going to run them over,” Paul said.
“Not with the new quarterback the Giants received. Have you seen Marlon? That guy is fast! The Bears' quarterback won't be able to keep up. He needs to retire.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“You want to bet?” Danny asked.
“Dad, no bets,” Adam said, sitting down next to his daughter.
Marnie took a seat next to Danny. Her body sank into the sofa, her arms like lead. Her lips sealed, as if lined with cement. Dazed, her thoughts danced around her. She barely caught Adam's voice.
“Marnie, this is my wife, Angela,” Adam said, pointing to a platinum blonde. “Angie, this is my sister.”
“I gathered. It's nice to finally meet you,” Angie said.
“What have you been up to?” Paul asked Marnie.
She looked down at her hands trying to think of what to say. Her breathing grew shallow. Each breath leaving her winded. I can't talk to you. I don't even want to be near you. She glanced at Paul. How can you just sit there? The room grew hot. Too hot. She was grateful when Danny interjected.
“Marnie's been working for me. She's my personal assistant.”
Aileen gasped. “I can't believe I didn't recognize you before. Oh honey!” Aileen slapped her husband's thigh. “He's the actor in that movie. You know the one about the assassins and the little girl that was kidnapped.”
“Oh yeah, we went to the movie theatre for that one.”
“We love your movies,” Aileen said to Danny.
“How long have you worked with him?” Paul asked.
“It's been almost a year now,” Marnie said softly.
“I am so happy you were able to find us. I always felt bad about us leaving New Jersey,” Aileen said.
Marnie tapped Danny with her pinky finger. She scratched her nose when he glanced at her. It was their exit signal. He frowned, but ignored her and turned away.
“How long have you lived here?” Danny asked.
“About three years now. We moved here because Adam wanted to go to medical school.”
“Wow. It's getting late. We better get going,” Marnie said, turning to Danny. If he wasn't going to create the exit, then she would.
He set down his cup of tea and looked at the time on his cellphone.
“Oh, you're right. I'm sorry, but if we don't leave now, we'll miss our flight.”
“Oh.” Aileen's shoulders fell. Her jubilant face was crestfallen.
“Really, already?” Paul said, alarm written across his face.
“Well, let me give you our phone number,” Aileen said, jumping up from the sofa.
“It's okay. I know where you guys are now. I'll be back.”
Marnie jumped up and made a beeline for the front door. She opened the closet and quickly grabbed her coat and handed Danny his. Her eyes avoided the dumbfounded look on his face.
Adam grabbed Marnie as her hand touched the knob of the front door and wrapped her in a big bear hug. He kissed her furiously on the cheek.
“Thanks for coming,” he said, looking intently into her eyes. The tears began to well again.
Aileen managed to stuff a piece of paper in her jacket pocket. Marnie could only assume it was her phone number.
“Call me anytime, okay?”
Marnie merely nodded and yanked open the front door and stepped out onto the porch. Aileen grabbed Adam, hugging his shoulder and began to cry.
Danny whipped out a card and wrote his cellphone number on it. “Here.” He placed the card in Adam's outstretched hand “In case you want to contact her.”
“Thank you,” Adam said with admiration written across his face.
“Just don't give the number to anyone.”