The room brightened as the light switch was turned on. I sat silently on the sofa facing the door. Brian stopped himself from hanging his jacket on the coat pole.

“I didn’t know you were free. You should have told me so I could have prepared a grand welcome party for you, cousin.”

“What’s the fun in telling you? It’s a surprise.”

I gestured for him to sit on the wooden chair in front of me, but he remained standing stiffly by the coat pole.

Erick appeared from behind the door. He ...