บท 192: Chapter 192: Natale, Part 30

James

Family...

All gathered together around the breakfast table: Michael to the left of Charlotte, I'm to her right, bouncing Cara on my knee while Charlotte takes a break to get some food down her throat. Beyond Michael, Beth feeds Adam, Richard flanking them.

Klempner and Mitch sit side by side. She's turned discreetly away, feeding Vicky. Larry watches, still wearing that slightly spaced-out expression...

Man-in-shock?

For all the right reasons...

Charlotte is very quiet. She eats, but her gaze sweeps the table and back again.

Once she had nothing...

Briefly, her eyes lock with her father's. He cocks his head, eyes full of question, but then her gaze moves on.

What's he thinking?

It's not hard to figure. Right from the time Klempner arrived back with us, although he's clearly content to be here, he's had an air of... waiting...

The Rat-Tat! of the front door rattles down the hall.