Fledgling by Natasha Brown

mid-air in motion to knock.
    “Hi, Sweetheart! Oh, the house looks so cute! I can see your mother’s touch-and it smells like it’s been airing out nicely. Where’s Mel?” Aunt Tera stepped inside with a flowery bowl filled with potato salad, getting sidetracked as soon as she saw Chance. “Oh! Now, who are you?!” Aunt Tera’s eyes moved appraisingly over Chance giving her hair a tease, pressing the bowl into her breast.
    Uncle Jace wiped his shoes off on the mat and popped inside after hearing the exclamation from Tera. He wore the same hat as last time. It seemed fastened to his head by sweat, his damp hair curling beneath the darkened band.
    “Aunt Tera, Uncle Jace-this is Chance.” Ana watched their faces as she made the introduction.
    Uncle Jace wore such enthusiasm that Ana imagined he must have looked the same way when he caught his first fish.
    He hooted, “Finally! One more for the team! Please tell me you fish?!” His brightened eyes were ready for an audience and in his outstretched hand he held a large zipper bag with four dead trout packed in ice.
    Chance broke into a cautious smile, shifting his weight to his back foot. “Yeah?” He answered more like a question. “I go out with my dad sometimes.” Chance’s eyes darted to Ana, who gave a thumb’s up sign and a guilty smile.
    Uncle Jace tasted victory. For once in a long time, he wasn’t alone in a sea of estrogen. His eyes sparkling, Ana thought he could hear angel’s singing-or maybe fish splashing.
    “Now, calm down Hon. It doesn’t mean you can unbutton your pants after dinner or go leaving the toilet seat up. Us girls still out number you!” Aunt Tera patted his shoulder, winking at Ana and added before advancing to the kitchen, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chance.”
    After Jace’s zealous greeting, Chance took everything in stride. He did, however, adopt an amused expression like he was watching a really bad “B” movie he couldn’t help but enjoy. Uncle Jace’s unabridged fishing stories streamed one after another and Chance remained in rapt attention. Ana wondered if he was truly interested or if he was counting ceiling beams or if he was bored beyond belief and a convincing actor. The only danger he appeared to be in was falling into a coma induced by boredom so Ana gave him a sympathetic glance and disappeared into the kitchen.
    Aunt Tera was deep in conversation with her sister when Ana entered. “…It’s so great she’s finally reached out to someone, but why hasn’t she told him…”
    Seeing Ana, their discussion grew quiet and Aunt Tera began talking about the kitchen decor. “I think a creamy buttercup yellow would lighten it up considerably. If you put a nice white valance above the window-it would look so cute.” She chatted on, pointing at the bare casement.
    “Don’t let me interrupt your conversion,” Ana growled in agitation, walking up to a cupboard just to shut it with a bang.
    Melissa and Tera exchanged a glance. Then Melissa commented to her sister, “I guess we can’t fool her anymore.” Then gave a nervous laugh.
    Aunt Tera nodded in agreement, muttering, “Caught.” Then after a moment of silence she smiled. “So… Chance seems like a nice boy?”
    “Yes, we seem to have a lot in common.”
    “He’s quite good looking,” Aunt Tera grinned and gave her a wink.
    Ana blushed and mumbled something indistinguishable. In an immediate need to exit from the embarrassment, she turned to leave and loving arms wrapped around her. “You deserve all the best, Sweetie. I’m so happy to see you with a new friend,” Tera’s voice whispered in her ear. Ana reluctantly turned, hugging her back, conceding to her aunt’s loving embrace.
    “Thanks, Aunt Tera,” she sighed.
    “So, now, tell me a little about him?”
    “Well, I met him in photography class. He likes being outdoors, like me. I guess he works at an auto body shop. And, his family’s really nice. His mom’s a nurse and his dad