I try to put my feelings about the whole Trina situation aside for a while. At least we've got the bar mitzvah, right? It's getting closer and closer. Maybe Trina and I can work things out by then. Or maybe I should just leave it.

I busy myself with cleaning. Not my place, but Marvin's. I'm over there a lot more often now. This particular day, he's at work, and so I invite over the lesbians from next door.

"Wow, look at this place," Charlotte says as the two of them are coming in. "It's almost spotless."

Cordelia's close behind her, a Tupperware container full of her nouvelle bar mitzvah cuisine in hand. "Did you clean?"

"Just a little," I reply, running a hand through my hair. I haven't been working that hard, but still I can feel beads of sweat on my forehead.

Cordelia eyes me. "You look like you could use some food," she tells me, starting to open her container.

I put a hand out to stop her. "I'm good. Just ate."

"So? How's Marvin doing?" asks Charlotte. "I don't think I've seen him in a while. He's either busy with bar mitzvah-planning or work."

"Yeah, it's stressful for him. And for Trina." I think back to our earlier conversation. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. She didn't explicitly say I wasn't welcome in her life. "Mendel, too. He's been complaining about his patients—"

"I have complaints, too, actually," Charlotte cuts in. "Not about patients, but more about what the media is doing."

I give her a blank look.

Cordelia opens her container again. "Why don't we try some latkes?"

I feel so lightheaded I have to sit down. Charlotte sighs and turns to her partner.

"We're not really in the mood, baby." She looks back at me. "You all right, Whizzer?"

"Yeah, no problem." I don't want to say it's the smell coming from Cordelia's container that's making me ill, but it's pretty clear already.

Cordelia closes the container and comes over to sit next to me on the couch. "Well, I'm sure Marvin's going to be happy when he comes home to a clean house," she says, shifting the subject.

"Not too happy, I hope," I remark.

"Maybe we should stick around until he gets back," she suggests, and I know she just wants somebody to try her food.

"Nah, Jason's getting home from school in a bit, and he's already gotten enough... bar mitzvah talk for a lifetime." I look at her container of food , and it seems like it's looking back at me. Sick.

She nods. "Okay, then. If he's free tomorrow, tell him to come over. I want him to try my new recipe."

"I absolutely will." When she gets up, I lean over to Charlotte and ask, "Why did Marvin pick her to cater in the first place?"

"They're best friends. What else could he do?"

Hm.

"Anyway, if you want us to get going, we can get going," she says a little bit louder, so that Cordelia can hear her. "I know it was quick, but hey, we live right next door. You can call us anytime."

"That I can," I respond. "I think it's better if we part now, actually. You two probably have... things..."

"I can always squeeze in some more cooking." Cordelia flashes us a grin and goes to put her shoes on.

"Dear God," I say under my breath with a smile. "Good luck with that."

Charlotte pinches my cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, Whizzer."

"Count on it." I stretch my legs out on the couch and wait to hear them leave, and then finally, I'm alone.

Jason gets home an hour or two later, quite a while compared to how short Charlotte and Cordelia's visit was. I'm still on the couch, leafing through a magazine.

"I'm home," Jason calls through the house. I hear his feet come down the hall until he stops in the living room. "Hey, Dad."

My head swivels around to face him. His eyes go wide with realization.

"Shit, I mean Whizzer. I mean, not shit. Shit, I said shit again."

I can't help smiling. "Hello to you too, Jason."

"I thought you were my dad," he says, fidgeting with his backpack strap. "Are you the only one here?"

"Yeah, your dad's still at work." He nods at this and tries to quickly leave, but I stop him. "Jason. Hey. Come here."

"What is it?" He reluctantly walks back in.

"Even if it was just an accident, I'm not bothered," I tell him. "You know. If you called me Dad."

"Really?"

"Of course, kid." I reach out from my still position on the couch to ruffle his hair. "What's Marvin's family is my family."

He smiles slightly. "Okay. Well, I have some homework I need to get done, so I'll be in my room if you need me." He hurries off, and I smile to myself.

A couple of hours later, Marvin comes home. I'm still on the couch; I'll admit I could have been more productive today.

"Hey, you." Marvin walks in and leans down to kiss the top of my head. "How's your day going?"

"I cleaned earlier," I yawn. "Charlotte and Cordelia came over. Oh, and Jason called me Dad."

Marvin raises his eyebrows. "He did?"

"It was an accident. I think. But it was still really sweet."

"That's great," Marvin replies. "Really. I love how close you are with him."

I look up at him. "I do too."

"So. Been on the couch all day?"

"After I cleaned, yeah," I say to remind him. "It's Cordelia's food. Her bar mitzvah cuisine? I can barely look at it. Oh, yeah, she's going to ask you to come over tomorrow. You're going to want to be busy."

Marvin laughs. "It's not that bad."

"Maybe not. But yes, I've been confined to the couch all afternoon." I stretch my arms out by my sides. "I think I'll just fall asleep here."

"Before dinner?"

"Hm, maybe not." I shift my position so I'm sitting upright. "Call me when it's ready, okay?"

"Okay." He gives my hand a squeeze. "You get your rest."

"Thanks, babe."