Home is a Fire by Jordan Nasser Page B

breathing? He just kissed me and asked me out on a date. Luke just kissed ME. I floated down the hill on my wobbly legs and climbed into Willie.
    Every fiber of my being was shaking with the full force of my emotions. I was a volcano about to erupt! And I promised Luke I would not tell Bammy anything.
    But I didn’t say a word about Kit…
    ■ ■ ■
    I raced home from the park, pulled into our driveway and stepped into the living room. Uncle Barry was watching
Dancing With The Stars
while perched in his easy chair with his feet up on an overstuffed ottoman and a bowl of popcorn in his lap. Mom was in the kitchen checking on something in the oven.
    “Hey guys, what’s up?” I said. I was smiling. A lot. Perhaps too much?
    “Well, someone’s all a sparkle,” Barry said, one eyebrow raised, hand reaching for his cocktail.
    “Hi, sweetie,” said Mom. “I wasn’t sure if you were here for dinner tonight. I have enchiladas in the oven. Want to help me with the salad?”
    “Cool. Do I have time for a quick shower? I’m heading out after dinner to meet Kit,” I said.
    “Sounds good. Be quick though, will ya? The enchiladas are basically ready.” Mom liked us all to eat together, like a family. I think it was the one good constant in her life. She wasn’t fond of dinners in front of the television. She preferred to have us sit around the table so we could catch up on our day. It was nice, actually.
    I ran up to my room, sat on the edge of my bed and let out a little happy scream. It was so hard to not let myself get carriedaway, but this feeling was too intense to ignore. I had been right. I was really right! But then again, so many of the “right” ones in the past turned out to be total emotional breakdowns. Breathe, Derek, breathe. Maybe I need to ignore this one just a bit? Take it easy, and by all means, do NOT pressure him.
    I was in and out of the bathroom in ten minutes and then down to the kitchen counter to put the salad together. Uncle Barry was setting the table as Mom placed the enchiladas in the center and I plated three quick side salads. Those days spent in restaurant service during college were proving a lot more useful than that chemistry class I hated so much.
    “So, you seem to be in a super good mood. Is it the job? We’ve barely seen you around here, honey,” said Mom.
    “
Mmmm
these enchiladas smell good!” I said, heaping my plate with food and hoping to avoid the
why are you so damn happy?
question. Quick. Get them talking about something else. “Work’s been great, actually. Kind of strange to be back in that building, of course, but I’m getting used to that. I think in some ways you always feel like a kid in school, no matter how old you get.”
    “Stay young as long as you can,” said Barry. “Trust me. The alternative isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
    “How’s Bammy?” asked Mom.
    “Oh, she’s awesome. It’s so good having her there to help me out. And I’m catching up with Kit and Tommy a lot, too. I didn’t realize how much I missed them. I mean, they were always on my mind in New York, but coming back, it’s like I never left. It’s just so easy to get back in stride with old friends, you know?”
    “Have you made any new friends?” She paused. Here it comes. “Anyone special?”
    “Um, yeah. Sure. A few.” How does she know these things? I swear she has magical powers.
    “Well, you’ve got quite a bounce in your step tonight, so I was just wondering.” She looked at me with those
you-can’t-fool-me
eyes and I just smirked.
    “
Ooooh
, gossip? Do tell!” said Uncle Barry, dropping his fork and reaching for his glass of wine.
    “Hey. Stop.” I looked at them both. “I don’t need you two ganging up on me. All in good time, my loves! All in good time.”
    “There’s something you’re not telling us. But as long as you’re happy, that’s all I care about, sweetie.” And with that, Mom seemed to let it go.
    “Oh, wow, wouldn’t ya