Loving Cousin

Mom was eating breakfast when I joined her in the kitchen. When it's just the two of us, we eat on the stools that run along the counter, between the kitchen and the living room. As I walked by the couch, I noticed John had folded the blanket over the back and sprayed air freshener again. Our scent was still there underneath it all, but I prayed Mom hadn't noticed.

She didn't say anything as I made my coffee and toast, so I sat down on the stool next to hers.

"John left early. Did you two fight again?"

"No." I took a sip of coffee. "He got a job."

"A job? Here?"

"Yes, and he was very cryptic about it."

She finished her cereal and tipped the bowl back to get the last of the milk. "So did you do anything fun yesterday?"

The mental image of him lying naked on the couch flashed across my mind. "Went shopping, had pot roast for dinner." I shrugged and ate a bite of toast.

"It was so good, wasn't it? I had some when I got home last night." She took a sip of her coffee and arched her eyebrow