“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

Rina said, “Hannah, that’s enough!”

She turned to her mother. “How long have you known?”

“As long as Cindy’s wanted me to know. And keep your voice down, please.”

Cindy said, “Your mom is right. Let’s keep it low-key.”

“Can I come shopping with you for cribs?”

Rina said, “You can shop with me for a crib. We’ll keep one here.”

“I can’t believe you and Abba kept it from me.” Hannah paused. “I can believe that you kept it, but not Abba. He must be so happy!”

“That’s an understatement,” Rina said. “It hasn’t been all that hard because you two rarely intersect with your busy schedules.”

Hannah couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “I’ll help Eema pack up for you. You go sit and relax.”

“I’m feeling fine, I’m not a cripple. You go sit. Every time you leave the table, that poor boy looks like he’s swallowed lye. Do him a favor and ask to be excused so he can be excused.”

“Okay.” Hannah gave her sister a giant hug. “I love you.”

Hannah pranced back into the dining room, where she exchanged wide, knowing smiles with her father. Gabe didn’t appear to notice. He and Koby were talking about music. It turned out that Gabe played a zillion other instruments. He said to Decker, “I noticed that your sons have a couple of cases in the closet. Mind if I have a look?”

“It’s a guitar and a bass,” Decker said. “I don’t think either one of them has been played much. Knock yourself out.”

“None of us have any musical talent,” Hannah said. “Koby has a beautiful voice, but that’s only because he isn’t a blood relative. Can I be excused?”

“I still see dishes on the table,” Decker said.

Hannah sighed impatiently and started gathering the dessert dishes. When Gabe got up to help, Decker said, “You’re a guest. She can do it.”

“I don’t mind, Lieutenant. It makes me feel normal.”

Decker nodded his assent. Fifteen minutes later, the couple was gone and the door to his son’s room was shut. Actual music was coming from behind the walls even though the amp was turned way down. Decker listened for a moment as notes flew out in rapid succession—bent, twisted, warped. Atonal riffs, but interesting. When Decker knocked softly, the music stopped. Gabe opened the door a crack. “Too loud?”