“I’m not asking you to forget,” Meredith said, calmly. “I’m asking you to accept it.”

Al made a tch sound.

“Sorry,” Meredith said. “I didn’t mean to lecture you.”

“Right,” he said sarcastically.

“What I’m trying to get at,” she added, “is that I think being in the city, and especially around this guy who helps people overcome their trauma, will be good for you. I’m proud of you for taking this step out of your comfort zone.”

“…thanks.”

“What’s his name, by the way?”

“Oh,” Al hadn’t realized he forgot to tell her. “Yui. Yui Genki.”

“I’d like to meet this Yui,” she said at last. “If you guys are free this weekend, what do you say we meet up?”

“Sure, I’ll ask him later.”

“Why not ask him now? Is he nearby?”

“Yeah, but, I just thought,” Al stumbled over his words. “He has plans today, and I didn’t want to bother him with more plans…”

“Al, you’re letting your anxiety get the better of you,” Meredith said, in an older-sister kind of way, “Most people aren’t overwhelmed by the prospect of going out on the weekend and meeting someone new.”

“Right,” Al nodded. He lowered his phone and covered it with his hand, so as not to yell into his sister’s ear. “Hey, Yui!” His voice bellowed into the dining room. He couldn’t remember the last time he called out to someone like that. He preferred not to initiate conversation.

“Yeah?” Yui’s head peaked out curiously from the doorway.

“My sister wants to meet you,” he said, a little flustered. “Are you free this weekend?”

“Yeah, no plans yet,” Yui said. “Does she have a day and time?

“He’s asking for the day and time,” Al repeated into the phone.

“How does Saturday at noon sound?” Meredith asked. “We’ll go out to lunch. You guys can choose the place.” Her voice got peppy now. She was excited to meet someone who she hoped would be a much needed friend to her brother.

Yui took a wide leap forward, so that his face was right up against the phone. “There’s this Italian place I walked past the other day,” Yui said into the phone. “I think it was called Il Palazzo or something. It’s got tables outside.”

Meredith was pleasantly surprised by how soft his voice was. “That sounds lovely, Yui!” She replied, giddily. “I can’t wait to meet you! You know what? I can pick you guys up in my car, and we can go together.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Yui exclaimed.