She nodded. “We just got new headsets. They’re much more comfortable.” Walter stared at her for a moment with his eyes narrowed against the sunlight. He’d worked a dozen years at a metal foundry in Grand Rapids, had put in five years with the army, and then another dozen at the foundry. After retiring into restlessness for a few months in Florida, he’d taken a job reading meters for the electric company. He was proud that Helen had never worked a day of their marriage, and he’d made it clear that he thought it a shame Teresa had to work at all. With what she hoped was a pleasant shrug, she said, “How’s the meter reading?”

“Excellent. Florida Power & Light is a decent company, as companies go.” He turned to Roy and tapped his chest with the rolled-up magazine. “How about you? Any word on the promotion?”

Roy blinked. “What promotion?”

“You told me they were expanding the department. I just assumed that meant there was more opportunity.”

“I said they were expanding the break room.”

“Well, you’ve been there almost a year now. Aren’t people being promoted?”

“Probably.”

“They’ve got to get you out of that cage, Roy. At least get you doing something that’ll give you some arms.” He touched the magazine to his own bicep, still hard from his years at the foundry.

“I’ll look into it, Pop.”

“Do.” Walter glanced behind him as they reached the porch. “I don’t know what you’re putting on your lawn, by the way, but it’s not working.”

Teresa held the screen door open and watched Roy’s face as he passed her; he was clenching and unclenching his teeth, pulsing the hinge of his jaw. “I’m going to start up the grill,” he said a little louder than necessary. “Pop, you want to come with me and show me how to do it?”

“You’re the man of the house here.” Walter shrugged. “But I’ll keep you company, if you’d like.”

They all stepped inside. The men walked straight to the back, out the sliding glass door, and onto the patio.

“Those two are like chalk and chalk,” Helen said, depositing Joseph on the living room carpet and setting her purse on the coffee table.

Teresa lowered Frankie into his playpen. He grabbed at the netted sides, looked at Joseph and said, “Zoom.”

Helen’s eyes rested on a large unpacked box marked BRIC-A-BRAC next to the television. “How’s the settling-in going?”

“We’re getting there. We actually don’t have enough to fill the house. It’s a mansion compared to what we’re used to.”

“I’m just so glad that you’re all here together,” Helen said, as if the odds hadn’t been in their favor.

Teresa opened the refrigerator. “Iced tea?”

“I would love some.”