That night after we cleaned up, I sat at the dinner table while Jake and Viktor cooked. Sitting here while they cut up vegetables and chicken felt like I was watching someone else’s life. Jake opened up the oven and leaned down to put the pan holding the chicken onto one of the racks.

“Have you guys made dinner together before?” I asked. Viktor looked at Jake and he looked at Viktor before looking at me.

“Yes, we have,” Jake said.

“It was a long time ago, though,” Viktor ...