n

n

n

n

nAfter all our showers, we all piled into the kids car. Mr. Atkins drove, with Mrs. Atkins next to him in the passenger seat. Zeke sat between the twins in the middle row, emitting such a scary aura that the twins didn't say a word on the way to dinner. Me and Noah sat in the very back which is normally used for storage apparently. Noah looked squished, but I felt quite comfortable.

nThe Atkins took me to a place called Da Vinci's, an Italian restaurant by the looks of the menu. We were able to sit at a round table that fit us perfectly. After ordering water and pasta for everyone, Mr. Atkins got down to business.

n

"You want to tell us your side of the story, Zeke?

" His dad asked, not sounding overbearing, just average like how you would ask someone how their day was.

nZeke straightened up more so than he already was.

"At lunch-

"

n

"At lunch?

" Mrs. Atkins interrupted. She looked around the table.

"What happened at lunch?

"

nZeke eyebrows pulled together.

"What were you asking about then?

"

n

"Let's start with what you have to say about lunch.

" Mr. Atkins looked concerned.

n

"I'm not exactly sure. We all ate lunch together outside. Jake acted a bit strange like I scared him.

" Zeke stayed plainly.

n

"How?

" Mr. Atkins asked the same time Mrs. Atkins asked,

"What did you do?

"

nDave smiled broadly.

"I'll tell you what he did. He slapped me upside the head for no good reason and that was when Jake started to avoid eye contact.

"

n

"Wrong. He slapped you for antagonizing Noah with cookies.

" Kyle corrected. Dave stuck out his tongue.

nMrs. Atkins looked at me sympathetically.

"They're just messing around, Jake. There's no reason to be afraid.

"

nMr. Atkins sighed.

"I think we should address this now. Boys, Jake has a severe aversion to violence. His birth family wasn't very kind. Actually, he ended up in the hospital for a few months and just recently started to get better.

" He eyed Zeke.

"So I would prefer if he didn't run extra laps. I'll be calling your coach to talk about easing him in. I don't want him to aggravate any old injuries.

"

nAll the boys looked at me making me feel like I was a freak show. I studied the table, keeping my head down.

n

"I'll keep an eye out for him.

" Noah spoke first.

"As my only younger brother, I'll make sure no one picks on him. Especially these three monsters.

" I cracked a smile.

n

"Hey! I'm not scary at all compared to Dave and Zeke.

" Kyle said. Looking at me, he faked a sad face.

"I'm the second least scary one here, right Jake?

"

nI gave a simple nod.

n

"Wait. That's not fair!

" Dave cut in.

"Who's the third least scary one then? Me or Zeke?

"

nI pointed at Mr. Atkins without even thinking. I haven't been around him much, yet he made me feel safe by how easy he could control the boys.

n

"What! You're less scared of some man who is over a foot and a half taller than you?

" Dave rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Who do you think is the scariest one here? Just so we know what makes you so nervous all the time.

"

nUnconsciously, I glanced at Mrs. Atkins. It was nothing against her specifically, but the fact that she was a mother. I wonder if motherhood made my mom into the monster she had become.

n

"Mom?? You're afraid of mom?

" Dave hollered, and starting laughing. Even Kyle and Noah started to chuckle.

nI looked back at the table in embarrassment. I should have just pointed at Zeke. He wasn't really scary, just intimidating.

n

"Boys.

" Mrs. Atkins tried to calm them.

"Jake, it's okay. I understand why you feel that way. Don't worry, I'm not bothered by it.

" I glanced at her, and she was smiling. But not in the creepy, mean way my mom would before hitting me.

"Jake's recent hospital stay was his mom's doing.

" She told the boys.

nAll laughing ceased. The quiet this time around was even more deafening.

nNoah was the only one that didn't look shocked.

"She wasn't a real mom like you mom.

" He nudged me.

"You'll learn to like her. She makes good cookies so that's a plus.

"

nI nodded in agreement. That was a very true statement. And my mom and never cooked for me before so that difference helped.

nMrs. Atkins laughed.

"I'm happy to know that I'm only good for cookies.

"

n

"And for bailing us out of trouble.

" Noah added.

nThe whole table laughed and started to lighten up once more. The conversation changed to stories of the boys getting in trouble all over town and in school. I happily ate my food as I listened to them talk about the past. This is what a family should be like.

n