Ella

"Uncle Conrad," I say plainly, remaining polite to the older man. "How are you?"

I watch my uncle, a few years younger than my father, waffle in uncertainty at my entrance. He clearly wasn't expecting to be met with kindness. That much is obvious. I revel in his reaction.

"Uh, uh," Conrad stutters. His son stands up, his head swinging wildly between all of us. He becomes slack-jawed, and I let myself laugh, but only inwardly.

"I would love to discuss some ...