“We can talk about the house while we eat.”

The dining room smelled of roast beef, cooked carrots, and warm yeast rolls fresh from the oven.

Kim sat on the left with her boys, tucking their cloth napkins into their laps while Jeff and Stacy pulled up two folding chairs near the sideboard.

Ron took his place at the head of the table, leaning back in his chair with his hands resting flat on the edge.

“It’s a fine meal, Emily,” Judy said, passing the bowl of mashed potatoes across to Kim.