The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the group gathered at the far corner of Angelo's backyard. Dressed in black, Garan, Evelyn, Avery, Buck, Maxine, Katherine, Elle, and Maggie stood solemnly around a freshly dug grave. The tombstone, simple and elegant, read, "Angelo, Father to All." Flanking the central gravestone were two smaller monuments, one inscribed with the name "Steven" and the other "Stefon."
Elle and Maggie carefully carried a large dogwood wreath, the delicate white blossoms vibrant against the somber setting. They placed it gently against Angelo’s tombstone, taking a moment to reflect. Meanwhile, Evelyn, her small hands trembling slightly, draped a flower lei over Stefon's monument. Avery followed suit, respectfully laying a matching lei on Steven’s.
Elle, feeling the weight of the moment, pulled Maggie into a comforting embrace. The younger sister leaned into the hug, finding solace in the closeness. Nearby, Maxine reached out and intertwined her fingers with Garan’s, seeking the same comfort. He returned the gesture, giving her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
After a few quiet moments, Elle and Maggie turned and led the group back toward the house. The others followed, moving slowly, lost in their thoughts. Once on the back porch, they each found a seat, with Buck opting to lean against the railing, his arms folded across his chest. The atmosphere was heavy, yet there was a sense of unspoken support among them.
Maggie soon reappeared from inside the house, a large plate of pastries in hand. She walked around, offering them to everyone.
“These are from a recipe Stefon taught me,” Maggie explained softly, her voice carrying both pride and a hint of sadness.
One by one, they took a pastry, savoring the taste of something familiar and comforting. Garan, sitting with Evelyn on his lap, watched as she took a tentative bite of her pastry. After a moment, she looked up at him with her big, innocent eyes.
"I want to live here with Grandfather," Evelyn said, her voice small but determined.
Garan looked at her, surprised by the sudden declaration. “Oh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense. You should live here with Avery. He is your only family.”
But Evelyn shook her head, her expression earnest. “You are my daddy. You should live here too.”
Elle, having overheard the conversation, walked over and placed a hand on Garan's shoulder. “I think that’s a great idea,” she said warmly. “We would love to have you here. Dad would insist that the two of you stay. We can help you learn to control your abilities.”
Garan looked from Elle to Evelyn, and then back again. “Well, okay then. We’ll stay.”
Evelyn beamed with joy and threw her small arms around Garan’s neck, planting a kiss on his cheek
Maggie, still holding the plate of pastries, set it down on a nearby table and stood up, addressing the group with a bright smile. “I think we need to celebrate our new family members. Mourning is fine, but we need to remember the good stuff too.”
Maxine, always ready with an idea, chimed in. “I have a show tomorrow night at the jazz club. There’s no cover, and it should be packed.”
“That’s a great idea, Maxine,” Elle agreed, her spirits lifting at the thought of something to look forward to. She turned to Avery, batting her eyelashes playfully, “If Avery is willing to watch Evelyn, we can all go.”
Avery, catching her playful tone, grinned. “Sure. Evelyn and I have some toys that need our attention, and you grown-ups would just get in the way.”
“Yay!” Evelyn exclaimed, the earlier sadness momentarily forgotten as she clapped her hands excitedly.
***
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The night buzzed with energy as Buck entered the dimly lit jazz club. The familiar scent of aged wood and the low hum of conversation welcomed him. He caught the eye of the bouncer stationed just inside the front door, exchanging a nod of recognition. The bouncer gave a quick nod back, acknowledging Buck's presence. Garan, Katherine, Elle, and Maggie followed close behind, stepping into the warm, intimate atmosphere of the club.
In the front room, about thirty people lounged on faux black velvet couches, sipping on cocktails as they engaged in casual conversations. The air was filled with the indistinct murmer of their voices, blending into the club's ambience. The bartender, a young man with a well-practiced hand, attended to another ten patrons at the front bar, mixing drinks with swift precision.
Buck led the group toward the back, where the real magic happened. The back room was packed, with nearly a hundred people crammed together, all eagerly awaiting the evening’s performance. The group made their way to the back bar, where they found a row of empty stools. Buck signaled the bartender, raising five fingers. The bartender quickly grabbed five glasses and poured generous servings of scotch. Buck handed over some cash, then passed the drinks to his companions.
Raising his glass, Buck made a toast, his voice carrying over the lively chatter. “To Garan and Evelyn, who literally saved our lives. Welcome to the family, kid.”
Garan smiled, feeling the warmth of acceptance as everyone clinked their glasses and downed the scotch. Katherine, unfamiliar with the strong drink, sniffed it cautiously before taking a sip. She cringed at the taste, shaking her head and sticking out her tongue in playful disgust, earning a few chuckles from the others.
Just then, the lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. The anticipation was electric as three musicians emerged from the green room and made their way to the stage. The drummer settled behind his kit, tapping out an impromptu solo, running through each drum and cymbal with practiced ease. The pianist ran his fingers down the keyboard, testing the keys with a few chords before giving a thumbs-up to the sound technician. The guitarist strummed a few chords on his guitar, then swapped it for a bass guitar, slapping and popping the strings before nodding in satisfaction.
With the band ready, the stage went dark for a brief moment, plunging the room into silence. Then, a single spotlight illuminated Maxine as she stepped up to the microphone, her presence commanding the room. The audience roared with excitement, and Maxine rewarded them with a brilliant smile.
“Thank you all for coming out,” Maxine began, her voice smooth and inviting. “Tonight, we celebrate life and love.”
The audience cheered again, and people from the front room began to drift into the back, eager to catch the performance. Elle and Maggie exchanged smiles, their excitement barely contained as Maggie bounced on her toes, unable to keep still. Katherine, still a bit overwhelmed by the atmosphere, glanced around at her friends for reassurance. Buck caught her eye, offering a comforting nod and smile before playfully rubbing the top of Garan’s head. Garan grinned, quickly trying to smooth down his hair.
Maxine’s voice filled the room again, “This first song is one we’ve been playing for years, but tonight, it means something different. Tonight, it reminds me of a special person I met recently.”
She cast a glance toward the back bar, her gaze locking onto Garan’s. For a fleeting moment, the confident performer looked like a teenager catching sight of her high school crush. She smiled, her affection evident, and Garan felt warmth spread through his chest.
The drummer began a syncopated rhythm on the kick drum and snare, the beat crisp and precise. He alternated between rim shots and dead-center hits, creating a dynamic groove. After running through the pattern twice, the pianist joined in, playing a progression of rich chords. The music flowed effortlessly, the melody building as the bassist joined in, his fingers dancing over the strings.
Maxine leaned into the microphone, her voice melting into the music as she began to sing. Her eyes never left Garan’s, her words directed solely at him as if the crowded room had faded away. Her voice was velvet smooth, wrapping around the notes with ease, each word infused with emotion.
Buck leaned over, giving Garan a playful punch in the arm before whispering in his ear, “I like you, but if you hurt my sister, I will kill you.”
Garan chuckled softly, appreciating the protective brother act. Before he could respond, Elle grabbed Buck by the arm and dragged him out onto the dance floor. Maggie shrugged, flashing a grin as she pulled a hesitant Katherine out to join them. The four of them moved with the music, their laughter and carefree dancing adding to the joyous atmosphere.
Garan turned back to the bar, catching the bartender’s eye. With a simple gesture, he raised one finger. The bartender nodded, understanding immediately. He poured a glass of scotch and slid it over to Garan, the amber liquid gleaming in the low light.
Garan took a sip of the scotch and turned back to watch his new family with a smile, the warmth of the moment paired perfectly with the warmth in his belly and the warmth in Maxine’s words as the band hit the refrain. Maxine’s voice soared, her gaze still fixed on him, and for that moment, the song was a personal serenade, a celebration of something new and hopeful.