Defining Family

"I'll make up a kettle," Avery muttered as they saw my face when I was blown inside. They hurried into the kitchen.

Rowan hung up my coat, and Ash wrapped me in a blanket and installed me in the ratty but comfy chair by the stove. The others drew closer. We weren't rich enough to have an open fire to cuddle near, and we certainly couldn't afford the wood to go with it. We didn't have much at all, but it was ours.

For a little while longer.

I exhaled, because I didn't want to keep them in suspense. "We're not kicked out. Not yet, anyway. Those discreet cameras are what saved us, thank you Robin. All accusations dropped. Again. The Chief is getting sick of seeing my face, but two of the officers are sympathetic. They forced everyone to watch the video. It clearly shows a pattern of harassment, against us. Chief of course wants to downplay, those two told him to stuff it, and they're arresting and pressing charges, because they took an oath. Protect and Serve, not Look the Other Way When Old Money Whines. Chief went out and brought in the bully pack, and they'll spend the weekend in jail. But that won't be the end of it. Officer Smith slipped me the name of a good lawyer who would easily win the case, but it'll cost us. And we're already stretched thin as it is, but the mortgage is in the bank for the month. I- I just don't know anymore."

Avery was passing around cups of the strong stuff. Where they got the good rum, I'll never know. Robin sniffled a little, slurping the tea hurriedly. I did too, though I could pick out the green tea base. Oh, it was serious. This was the tea we drank when distressed.

We'd been drinking it a lot lately.

Rowan said what we were all thinking: "We can't move again. We've been driven out everywhere else. No one wants the queers next door."

"If we get any closer to the border, we have to get passports, and we don't even have the money for those."

"If they'd even issue them to us." That from Ash. "We just landed here, and we're not treated like devilspawn. Till the brats thought we were punching bags they could safely abuse. Can we stay, somehow?"

The question hung lower than the delicate touch of jasmine in the tea.

We all jumped when there was a knock at the door.

Luckily, I had no tea to spill. Someone swooped in to take my cup away as I shed my blanket. I'm the biggest of us, and trained in martial arts. I cracked the door.

All I could see was a giant fruit basket.

Oh, our next door neighbor. I could vaguely see someone behind a giant pomelo and wrapped cellophane.

The fruit tower shifted nervously. "Look, I hope you don't move away because of the brats," said a voice hidden behind oranges. "I mean, I didn't get you all at first either, but you've been nice neighbors. And your gardens, and you've been helpful. So, um, here." I caught the basket, and he scurried away.

One of the Mels shut the door while the other staggered away with the gift. None of us knew what to say. I just stood there. I mean, what do you say to that?

There was another knock at the door.

This time, the neighbor across the street, with a pan of lasagna that would feed all of us for two weeks.

Minutes after that, the other next door neighbor, with another huge basket stuffed with artisan breads and cheese.

Five minutes, and I felt like I'd become a ballerina, spinning in place. And there was another knock, so I obligingly spun again to open the door.

A tall, vaguely familiar man, with the sleet bouncing off his expensive suit and hat.

Avery squinted a little. "Um, James?"

He bowed slightly. "May I come in?"

We gave him the comfy seat, and we took folding chairs. Rowan had picked them up years ago, when an idiot church sold them for a buck each. They needed shiny new ones, they'd said. The plastic things bought as replacements couldn't handle the firm fundie-ments, so they threw out the cracked ones and bought all new again within a decade. Funny, our chairs had withstood seven moves in those ten years, and would probably outlast us.

I stared at Avery, and they shrugged. "He comes into the cafe a lot, and always asks about my family. Tips well, polite, uses my pronouns. Knows about the bully pack."

"I do indeed. Those four have been a menace since toddlers, with over-indulgent parents. You know the type." We nodded. "Well, they seem to have lost their solicitor, due to a conflict of interest. Shame, really. But that means I'm free to represent you, and I can throw some overdue payback at those pompous windbags. If you'd like, please read through these papers, sign, and I'll nail them on charges that will stick this time."

I blinked. "What?"

He grinned toothily. "Allow me to introduce myself. James Whittier, Esquire, at your service. I'm tired of this 'old family' nonsense, and hooligans running wild with no parental correction. Since I'm from one of those old families myself, I'm embarrassed. I will no longer represent vandals. It is driving out new blood, which is what this town needs. And excellent tea. Avery, you have an amazing gift, and I'm so happy to patronize you. Allow me to represent your family, and I can make this right. Our darling Chief is up for re-election come spring, and my youngest is planning to run against him."

Robin, our rules weenie, was no slouch in the legalese department. They read efficiently. "Sir, this is some excellent paperwork. I think our head of family should sign these immediately." I scribbled and initialed wherever Robin pointed. Me? Head of family?

One Mel shifted a bit. "Sir, you know we're not related by blood?"

He shrugged. "Since when does blood make a family? Since you're here, and you were lucky enough to find each other, I can bet what your 'family' members were like." Uncomfortable nods filled the silence. "Exactly. Family is yours to claim, same as your names and pronouns. And those of us who followed more traditional forms need to mind our own business. And some need extra pressure. I can be an excellent hammer when necessary."

I seem to have lost my wits, maybe from answering the door in the wintry cold. "Sir, if I may ask, why?"

"Family. My middle daugh- er, sorry, I'm still getting used to it. I need to be better. My middle kid just changed their name, and if I'm not mistaken, will be knocking on your door tomorrow morning with a suitcase in hand. Max is not what you'd call a retiring flower, and with them here, they'll make sure your bullies don't cause trouble when they're bailed out."

Avery twitched. "One of them threatened to burn the place. All my plants are here, and that's where my teas come from."

"Make a list of what you spent for them. We'll get you homeowner's insurance, and if they're dumb enough to follow through, I'll sue them for every last penny. And I'll talk to the bank as well, your mortgage payments are quite unreasonable. I hate to use the word 'blackmail,' but I have enough on him to browbeat him into decent behavior." He would have grinned again, but Avery had somehow made up more tea, almost like cider. The cinnamon and nutmeg gave it such a rich aroma, we all paused to appreciate it.

All too soon, the idyll ended, and James smiled happily. "I should get going. Robin, did you separate those papers- why, yes you did. You keep one copy, of course. You should wander into my office soon, because I could use an excellent assistant. I think you all will like Max, they have admired you since you arrived, and have wanted to befriend you for ages. Give them a chance, but please know my assistance is not dependent on your accepting their application. And, of course, I'm working pro herba thea. I'll be in touch soon-" And he was out the door, into the sleeting wind.

Did he ever take off his coat?

Robin stared at the paperwork like it was Santa's sack. They looked up, eyes shining. "Happy Holidays, everyone," they whispered. "Avery, that was the best present from you we could have ever received. Thank you so, so much."

We hugged each other carefully. Most of us weren't used to hugs, but we craved them all the same, and treasured the times when we could do so.

Outside, the wind rose, but none of the cold could reach us in our hope-filled, snug home.