Page 120 of My Unfinished Heart

She looks as tense as I feel. “Dinner’s ready.”

Tristan’s smile withers and dies at the sight of West coming into the dining room.

West freezes halfway to the table and looks from Tristan to me, his face a glare of resentment. He forces himself back into motion, pushing past me and taking the seat opposite his mother. I sit down across from Tristan, watching as he grows paler by the second. Slowly, but surely, Kate, Eliza, and Joey trickle in and join us at the table.

“I'll say grace.” Helen reaches out her hands. Joey is on my side of the table, so I hold her hand and Helen’s. Tristan is between Helen and Kate.

Helen bows her head, and so do the rest of us.

“Dear Lord, thank you for this meal you’ve allowed us to share together. Thank you for my son, West and for his best friend, Archer. We’re so grateful to you for their partners, Tristan and Joey for joining us as we all journey forward together. And for the true comfort of friends, family, and good food. Thank you for the love you’ve brought to this table, and for these two clever young women who bring us so much light. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.”

I glance over at West. He and I make brief eye contact, then we both look away.

“Tristan, you have really pretty eyes,” Kate says.

“Thank you. So do you.”

“They’re just eyes, Kate,” Eliza snaps.

Every other eye at the table turns to look at the girl who’s just spoken up. Her face flushes, and she looks back down at her plate.

Tristan says, “It’s true. I had nothing to do with my eyes, and we all have a set, but I really like compliments.”

“I like your hair, too,” Kate adds, in a smaller voice.

Eliza huffs, and West and I share another look. He has a very small grin on his face.

We pass the food around, loading up our plates with chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. Helen speaks as I take my first bite.

“Archer, honey, tell me what you've been up to.”

I gulp down the huge piece of chicken in my mouth. It tastes so good, it almost makes this entire mess worth it. “Not much. I took the summer off, so I’ve just been hanging out with Tristan when I can.”

West coughs, and we all turn to look at him. He holds up a hand in apology. “Excuse me,” he says. I let my eyes hang over him for a moment before I turn back to Helen.

“Tristan told me he's pre-law. I had no idea,” she says.

“He’s full of surprises.”

Tristan grins.

“What do you do, Archer?”

I look over at Eliza who’s asking. “I’m a college professor.”

She perks up, eyebrows lifting above her glasses with interest. “What do you teach?”

“Art History.”

“No kidding,” she says, like I just told her I’m an astronaut.

“He’s also an artist himself,” Helen adds.

Eliza almost comes out of her chair. “Really? Are you a painter or a sculptor?’

“He paints,” West says.

Joey turns to me. “I’m an artist, too.”