Chapter 69: [69] Quackers
The Thai food sat steaming on the coffee table, its spicy aroma filling the apartment. Xavier poked at the pad thai on his plate, his stomach already uncomfortably full from the ramen he’d had with Aurora. He forced himself to take another bite anyway, knowing his mother would notice if he didn’t eat.
Across from him, Elaine and Calypso sat side by side, their initial tension seemingly forgotten as they shared spring rolls and conversation. Xavier watched them warily from his position in the armchair, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"So," Elaine said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin, "has Xavier told you about his childhood obsession with ducks?"
Xavier choked on his noodles. "Mom, no."
"Mom, yes," Elaine countered. "Calypso deserves to know what she’s gotten herself into with this arrangement."
Calypso leaned forward. "Ducks? Do tell."
"When he was four," Elaine began, ignoring Xavier’s groan, "he became convinced that he was part duck. He would only answer to ’Quackers’ for three months."
"That’s not true," Xavier protested.
"Oh, it’s true," Elaine continued, helping herself to more curry. "He would waddle everywhere instead of walking. Even made me sew webbing between his mittens."
Calypso’s laughter rang through the apartment. "Please tell me there are pictures."
"There’s an entire photo album," Elaine assured her. "I’ll bring it next time."