inglikeyou,orTess,forthatmatter."

    Oscarjoihefun."Nowthatyoumentionit...lookatthatsplitandthosebigeyes."

    "guys,cutitout."

    "Chillout,"Oscarwhispered."Hereestheoldlady."

    Tessdeliveredthedessert,oblivioustotheturnsofourversation.Ishouldhavebroughtupmyfesteringdoubt,madeajokeofit,saidsomethinginfrontofher,butIdidnt.

    "So,Tess,"Jimmysaid,balanghispieplateonhisknee,"whodoyouthinkEddietakesafter?"

    "Youhaveaspeeriheerofyourmouth."Shepickedupoursonandheldhiminherlap,strokedhishair,andpressedhisheadagainstherbreast."Howsmylittleman?"

    Edwardstuckhishandstraightintothepie,pulledupaclumpofyellowgoo,andcrammeditinhismouth.

    Shelaughed."Justlikehisdaddy."

    Thankyou,mylove.Shereturnedmysmile.

    AftertheboyssaidgoodnightandEdwardlaysleepinginhiscrib,TessandIwashedthedishestogether,staringoutthekitwindow.Thestarsshonelikepinprithecoldblacksky,awaterinthesink,alongwiththerfurnace,gavetheroomasteamylanguor.Iputdowoweland,frombehind,edmyarmsaroundher,kissedherdampwarmnape,andsheshivered.

    "IhopeyoudidoomadaboutJimmygoingonabouthowEddiedoesntlooksomuchlikeeitheroneofus."

    "Iknow,"shesaid."Itscreepy."

    Forasplitsed,Ithoughtshesuspectedsomethingwasawry,butshespunherselfaroundtofacemeandgrabbedmyfacewithherrubbergloves."Youworryaboutthestrahings."Shekissedme,andtheversatioelsewhere.