At the Table

Nick slammed the joystick one last time and let out a groan as the Game Over screen blinked mockingly.

"Okay, I’m officially done. Pool and Pac-Man both hate me," he declared, flopping onto the couch.

Blake smirked, twirling the pool cue before racking the balls. "Or maybe you’re just not as good as you think you are."

Ethan checked his phone. "Guys, it’s almost seven. Your mom said dinner’d be ready around now, right?"

As if on cue, the muffled call of Elise's voice floated down the stairs. "Boys! Dinner’s ready!"

Blake grinned. "Saved by the bell. Let’s go before Nick tries to fight the arcade machine."

Nick gave him a mock glare but followed. The three of them headed upstairs, the smell of lasagna hitting them halfway up like a warm blanket. Whatever stress lingered from the game — both basketball and pool — melted a little with every step toward the kitchen.

When they reached the dining room, the table was set. At the head sat Thomas, Blake’s father, and at the other end of the table sat his mom. To Thomas’s left sat Blake and to his right sat Nick, Ethan sat between Nick and Elise. Next to Blake there was an empty spot, usually reserved for Claire, but she was in college right now.

When they all sat down, Elise brought out the lasagna. When she placed it on the table, everybody placed a piece of it on their plate. Nick was shamelessly piling up his plate.

“For god’s sake, Nick there’s five people, and there’s enough lasagna for ten here” chided Ethan.

“Not my fault it’s so good” responded Nick.

“Yes, but it is your fault that your plate is full, what if you don’t finish it or gain weight because it’s too much?” argued Blake

“I won’t, I’m an ectomorph. I burn a lot of calories just by existing.” replied Nick as he dug into his plate.

“Alright guys, stop bickering. Blake, how are you dealing with your game loss?” asked Thomas.

“Uhh, I don’t know? I mean it stings that I lost, and even more to the Hawks, they’re one of our biggest rivals, but I’m better than after the game. I mean with these two I can’t be very sad” replied his son while pointing to his friends.

“Hey, it’s okay, the team's new,” comforted his mother “by the way, how’s Jordan, the new guy doing?”

“He’s good, still has a long way to go, but considering he’s a sophomore, he’s great. Leagues above anyone I’ve seen at that age.” replied her son.

“Oh, and Blake? Don’t be mad, but I may have told Claire about your loss.” his mother added.

“Ohhh god, so when is she calling?” Blake asked.

“Oh stop it, you know you love each other.” His mom replied.

“I know, she’s so fun to be around, I wish she wouldn’t be away at uni.” Blake said.

“Hey, at least we’ll be able to see her next year, when we go to university. And also Nadia will be there” Nick chimed in.

“I know, but it feels so long, a whole year?! It's still october!” Blake complained.

“Alright, when did Blake start whining instead of Nick?” Ethan asked.

That got a laugh from everyone

“Don’t worry, time goes faster, the older you get.” Elise told him

“Oh, I know, it feels like it was last year when Claire tried to make a barbecue and almost burned the driveway. I still can't believe it was four years ago,” Blake said with a nostalgic smile.

“She still swears it was the grill’s fault, not hers,” Thomas added, shaking his head fondly. “She really thought lighter fluid was just a suggestion.”

Everyone chuckled, and for a moment the dining room felt wrapped in warmth — the kind that only came from food, family, and familiar stories.

“Yeah, I still can’t believe she’s not here,” said Blake looking at the empty seat beside him, “ it feels like yesterday she was.”

“Are you sure you’re not remembering the summer holidays?” asked Ethan.

That got another laugh from everybody.

Blake glanced at the empty chair beside him. “Still, it feels weird without Claire here. She always stole the last piece of garlic bread.”

“And then blamed the dog,” Elise added, laughing.

As the laughter faded and everyone returned to their plates, the room settled into a comfortable rhythm — the quiet clink of forks against dishes, the soft hum of the TV from the other room, and the smell of baked cheese still lingering in the air.

“So,” Thomas began between bites, “any thoughts on what you boys are doing after graduation? I know you’ve got your eye on scholarships, Blake. What about you guys?”

“We were thinking of going to Bridgemont. Most of our friends go there and there’s a strong academic program.” replied Ethan after swallowing a bite.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I will probably study arts.” said Nick.

“I think you care more about music than the “art” part” responded his cousin, “I’m thinking of going into business administration”

“I still don’t know what to study” replied Ethan

“I'm sure you’ll figure it out,” said Elise.

“Luckily we’re all going to the same university, and almost all of our friends are going to be there.” said Nick

“You have friends?” joked Blake.

“Ha ha very funny, that joke got old 5 years ago” responded an annoyed Nick.

“Not a joke if it’s true” replied Blake

“Kids, stop bickering” intervened Thomas, before Nick could reply

Blake leaned back in his chair for a moment, letting the soft chatter of his family and friends wash over him. The warmth of the food, the laughter, the clinking of forks — it all settled in his chest like a calm after a storm. For the first time since the loss, he didn’t feel the weight of it pressing down on his shoulders.

Thomas stood, stretching his arms with a satisfied sigh. “I don’t know what it is, but lasagna always tastes better when your mom makes it.”

“Because she’s secretly Italian,” Nick said, scooping up the last bit of sauce with a crust of bread.”

“Half a cooking class and suddenly she’s Nonna Elise,” Ethan joked, grinning

Elise rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed how much she loved hearing it. “Alright, boys, I’ll start cleaning up. Why don’t you grab some dessert later and—.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK

The sound echoed through the house — firm, deliberate. Conversation stopped mid-sentence. Forks paused in mid-air. All eyes turned toward the hallway, where the front door waited.

And just like that, everything paused.