Don't you know I'm right here

 

Poppy had a long brunch with Gage. She told him all about her Aunt. Although, he wasn't really any help.

"You should really talk to your dad about her. Maybe he can help," was about all he could do. Still, it was like he had no idea how she really felt about this whole ordeal. It was so scary. But she was sure her dad didn't have any answers either. After all, there was news that Lynsey was expecting. She'd have a baby by mid-June. She didn't want to trouble them.

"Try not to worry so much, OK?" Gage told her. She would try. She knew there was only so much she could do. Still, she wished she knew more about her own mother. It seemed no one had any pictures of her. As she recalled. Oh, sure she had a couple of photos when she was a girl, but still, it felt there was a certain time of her mother's life when she would know more than she did.

Just as they were done she got a text. It was from Joon wondering if she wanted to have dinner at his step-sister's. She didn't say anything to Gage. It was better to just be friends. She knew he had so much to consider in his life. She couldn't ask much of him. It was true she knew who was important to him and he was still a little shakey about her meeting his son. She understood. 

But she thought she might be boring him to death. It was supposed to be different. She supposed. But since she was older and well, even Joon had his daughter. She wasn't expecting much from him either. He seemed out of sorts to her. But Niah was so much like Natalie. Yes, she missed her friend who was so talkative when they were both Freshmen. 

How did he end up alone with Niah? It was baffling. She wanted to ask but knew it was none of her business too. So she got home. Refreshed a little. Even a ten-minute power nap and headed over to dinner.

Oh, there was a houseful. Bom and her husband had Keanu and River. It was much noisier than she anticipated, but she fell in with the crowded dining table and there was plenty to eat. It was so jovial. Everyone talking. The kids were so fun to watch. Really, she didn't know what she was getting into.  Of course, Joon was as stoic as he ever was. Yes, it was like she remembered him. But he was always happy around Natalie.

She watched him interact with Niah who kept telling him to sit by Poppy, but he kept telling her she needed to eat. She said she would. She told him he needed to eat too.

There was plenty of roast beef. Although the kids had chicken nuggets with their mashed potatoes and brown gravy. No one seemed interested in their corn on the cob or peas.

She could see Joon was about to be annoyed with Niah.

"Oh, have you guys tried this corn yet?" Poppy made a point of taking a bite of her corn. Finally, Keanu followed and so did Niah.

"See. we're eating our corn, why aren't you, Dad?" Niah gave Joon a look as if he needed to eat just as much.

He sighed, but she could tell he didn't like eating in front of people any more than Niah did. 

Poppy decided she'd eat as if she loved the mashed potatoes and gravy. She reached for another roll and bit into as if it was the best roll she ever ate. Keanu thought she was funny so he ate his too and so did Niah. 

It was kind of a long dinner. Honestly, she was too full.

"I better not eat a thing tomorrow," she told Joon as they were cleaning up.

"Was it that bad?" Joon wasn't sure since he didn't hardly eat anything.

"No, I'm just full," she said it was very good and she was happy to be here.

"Niah wanted Bom to make dinner for you," Joon explained. He took care of most of the dishes to put in the dishwasher. "Really, I'm thankful you helped Niah like you did."

"Oh, she's so adorable," Poppy smiled. Really she enjoyed watching Niah. "I..I remember when..when you were with Natalie." She hoped she hadn't said too much. "I..I always thought a lot of Natalie."

He cleared his throat.

"Thank you," Joon said. "I'm glad you can see Natalie in Niah."

She could tell he could say no more. She grabbed a pot to wash. It was best to keep busy.