Street Dreams (54 page)

“No, she’s ten years older than I am,” I said. “She’s only six—”

“Can we move on?” Dad interjected.

“It’s irrelevant because
mother
is a state of mind,” Rina pronounced. “Besides, Cindy’s mother would be
eema.
”

“No, my mother will be
mom,
” I told her. “Definitely not
eema.
”

“My stepmother is Eema,” Koby said. “To me, you are Rina because that’s what Cindy calls you. Besides, Rina fits your face.”

“Whatever you want, Yaakov.”

He focused his eyes on Daddy’s face. “My question is … what do I call you, sir?”

“What do you call me?”

“Yes.”

Decker rubbed his hands and thought a moment. “Lieutenant is fine.”

“Peter!” Rina chastised.

“It’s my title.”

“Maybe a
little
less formal, Daddy?”

“No problem.” He threw his arm around my fiancé’s shoulder. “Koby, my man … you can call me Loo.”