The slow music ended, replaced by a jaunty, childlike beat.
“A half-cream?”
Effie smiled. “I haven’t changed. Thank you, Trev.”
She retired to the head table while Trevor ventured to the café kiosk to pour two cups.
He never started the brew.
Ana screamed.
His heart jumped, but only for a flicker. Trevor swung about and searched the crowd for his daughter.
She ran toward a giant target who stood at the dining room’s main entrance. Everyone heard Ana Marie’s greeting.
“Uncle C! Uncle C!”
Trevor muttered, “Yep. That’s about right.”
Of course, Connor arrived unannounced.
Trevor studied his mountain of a brother. He appeared to have grown taller and wider.
No. Had to be the uniform. The tight-fitting blue and gray with chest medals accentuated Connor’s muscular girth. He was bald but for a single square tuft of black hair atop his scalp.
Had it only been ten months?
Connor bent down on one knee and bear-hugged his niece then lifted her into his arms like a pet. She held tight, head on his chest.
How did he do it? Gone for so long, reappearing as a new man; yet Ana sank into him as if time stood still.
Connor carried Ana between the tables without much fanfare. Trevor doubted many of these folks had any idea who he was. He never fit in among the political or administrative classes and moved out of Harmony years ago.
Trevor met Connor at the head table, where Ana exclaimed to her mother:
“Uncle C came home just for my birthday. Isn’t he the best?”
Connor set down his niece and kissed her mother on the cheek.
“Never seen you more beautiful, Effie.”
Even his voice underwent a transformation.
Deeper, harder, rougher.
Effie smirked at Connor’s compliment.
“Still talk a smooth game, I see. And unpredictable.”
He winked, the first sign of the brother Trevor knew.
“I jumped in a couple hours ago. Needed time to settle in. Feels like it’s been years.”
Trevor waited his turn, having yet to make eye contact. Connor surely saw the only other seven-footer in the room standing ten feet away. Ana delayed their reunion further.
“Uncle C, did you ... did you bring me a present?”
“What? I’m not enough?” He laughed. “Yeah, Annie-M. It’s great, but it’s on the way. Give me a few days. OK?”
She stood and saluted.
“Yes, sir!”
“Nice.” Connor returned the salute. “When you’re near eighteen, we need to talk about the UNF.”
Connor swung around, hands on hips, and studied Trevor top-down.
“Look at you, bruv. Top of the ladder and dressed to impress.”
“I try, C.”
Connor pointed to the fluffed green collar.
“That’s some embarrassing shit, right there.”
Trevor took mock offense, reaching for the collar.
“It’s the fashion.”
