Chapter Sixteen

All eyes were fixed on the strange man that stood across the table. The silence stretched on for what felt like years. The chirping sound of crickets gave the atmosphere a more awkward setting. It was as if time had stood still.

Marcel decided to break the silence,"it's nice to meet y'all, Abigail has told me a lot about you"

Denise, Maurice and Elise's eyes were still fixed on the man that claimed to be their mother's husband and father their expressions was of pure curiousity and confusion.

Elise was the first to walk forward. She climbed down her chair almost spilling her apple juice in the process. She walked up to Marcel with boldness and curiousity of a cat.

"Hi, I'm Elise" she chirped. "... and those two…" she pointed at her siblings who were still staring at Marcel like they had just seen a dragon in real life. With admiration and caution.

"... are my siblings, Maurice and Denise," the little girl said as she smiled up at the tall man.

"Nice to meet you Elise"

"I'm Mar