Annie reached the front door first. She glanced at Eyal who was a few steps behind her and then knocked. She was very angry with him and needed to work through some things in her head, but now was not the time.
Hena heard the knocking and yelled, "It's open, come in!"
Annie turned the knob and entered the house, followed by Eyal, whom she had dropped the door on. Eyal knew he was in trouble. If she was not even being polite than they had some big issues to sort out Eyal thought.
"Hena you have a beautiful home" Annie said conventionally.
"Well I did the decorating but the credit for the build has to go to Eyal" she smiled timidly at him. Annie turned to glare.
"You didn't tell me you could build." Annie stated.
Uh oh, thought Eyal this is not going to be an easy evening. Why did I bring her here to begin with? "Well, yes. I can but I haven't for many years. Long before Avi was even born. Artistic design stopped when I took the job with Mossad." Eyal explained.
"I see." Annie said. He gave up so much when he joined Mossad. Why did he do it? I don't get it.
"Hena is there anything I can do to help with dinner" Annie asked.
"Sure. You can slice those vegetables on the table." Hena replied pointing at a cutting board and knife on the counter behind her.
Annie moved to begin.
"And what can I do?" Eyal asked.
Hena glared at him. "You can go play with your son. You still remember where his room is don't you?" Hena dismissed him.
Eyal met Hena's gaze and then turned on his heel and walked down the hallway. The women in the kitchen could hear Eyal greet Avi and Avi talking excitedly.
Both Annie and Hena smiled at the sound and noticed each other's look. They acknowledged the other and went back to working in strained silence.
Avi was telling Eyal about every part of his life and although Eyal was trying to listen attentively to what Avi was saying his mind kept wandering to what he was going to say to Annie and what Hena and Annie could be discussing in the kitchen. He knew that this was a bad idea as soon as he saw Hena's face but then why didn't he think of that before leaving America?
Back in the kitchen Hena and Annie worked in silence, although the tension was starting to drain from the room. They finished the prep work and then the meal without saying anything until Hena started to give directions on setting the table and plating the food.
Annie obliged without saying anything, just simply went through the tasks. Annie thought that at least Hena didn't hate her now. But why was that? What had changed?
Hena thought about Annie. The American wasn't all bad but they did need to talk before they parted ways that night. They had much to discuss and Hena needed to apologize for a conversation she thought the other woman wouldn't understand.
"Avi, Eyal, dinner!" Hena called down the hall.
Both soon appeared at the table, ready and hungry.
All four of them sat and dished the food all around. Annie was about to eat but then stopped. "Do you pray before you eat she asked of Avi."
"Oh yes, I forgot." Avi said looking at Annie.
He reached over and grabbed her hand before grabbing Hena's too who was on his other side. Hena reached and grabbed Eyal's hand and Annie glanced at Eyal before linking her other hand with his. The circle complete, Avi said the blessing and then they began to eat.
As the meal dragged on small talk was passed but the topics all focused on Avi. What he was doing in school, how soccer was going, what his likes and dislikes were.
Hena and Annie cleared the table as Eyal took Avi outside to show him a soccer move they had been discussing over dinner. Eyal noted that Annie had barely glanced at him through the entire meal. Their problems were rooted deeper than he first thought.
Annie and Hena washed and dried the dishes before either spoke. It was when everything was cleaned and put away that Hena looked at Annie. "Would you care to go on a walk with me? I have some things I would like to share with you."
"Okay" was all Annie could reply.
They walked out the back door to where Eyal and Avi were kicking around a soccer ball. "We're going on a walk. In about 20 minutes please have him take a bath and put him in bed Eyal. Avi come give your mother a kiss goodnight."
Avi came jogging over. "Goodnight mom" Avi said kissing Hena on the lips while scrunching up his face. "Goodnight Avi" Hena said laughing at the boy's expression.
"Goodnight Annie" Avi said kissing Annie on the cheek as he wrapped her in a sweaty hug. "And thank you. See you soon."
Annie was quite taken aback by Avi's forwardness but quickly recovered. "You're welcome, goodnight Avi." Annie replied hugging him back.
Hena and Eyal looked on at the exchange. Hena realized the Avi really had taken a shine to Annie and had it not been for Annie Avi probably wouldn't be standing here today.
Eyal looked at Annie embracing Avi and realized how important she had become to his life. Not only had she saved his son, but she was so deeply ingrained in his heart that the thought of losing her tore him to pieces inside.
Avi jogged back over. "So twenty more minutes Dad, let's go!" Avi said quickly maneuvering the ball around Eyal.
Eyal laughed before getting back into the groove of playing with his son. He looked up just in time to see Hena and Annie walking off into the meadow.
That's not good he thought.