Loving Cousin

Mom opened the door and came in singing. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

I worked the lotion into his fingertips. "Hi Mom."

John put on a strained smile. "Did you have a good day, Aunt Lisa?"

"I sure did. It may be a record for us, which means that end-of-the-year bonus is in the bag. And my employees were all buzzing about the hot, young pianist playing in the atrium today," she said grinning and mussing his hair.

"That would be me. My hands are shot," he replied as I got my scissors and trimmed a couple of rough cuticles.

"Kate will get them in shape again. Have you eaten dinner?"

"Yeah, I got a free meal at the mall."

"Kate, what about you?"

"Steph and Holly came over and we ordered a pizza. There are a couple of pieces left over in the fridge, if you want them." When I'd finished trimming the snaggy bits, I put lotion up to his forearms and began to massage his muscles. "You probably should eat a banana to get some potassium or you'll have cramps later."

He nodded.