The kitchen at the Sturniolo house smelled like burnt toast and fresh coffee. Morning light slanted through the blinds, cutting across the cluttered table where the three brothers sat.

Chris couldn’t sit still; he was drumming on the table with a spoon, sneakers squeaking on the tile, a restless mix of curiosity and excitement. Nick was perched on a stool scrolling his phone, one leg crossed over the other, expression soft and thoughtful, already planning how to make whoever was coming feel welcome. Matt, hood up, leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, glaring at his untouched mug like it had offended him.

Marylou set her mug down and looked at each of them. “Boys… I need you to listen for a second.” Her voice was softer than usual. All three glanced up, Chris’s spoon stilling.

“You know my best friend from college? The one I always told stories about?” They nodded. “She passed away last week.” Silence. Even Chris stopped fidgeting. “In her will she asked me to take care of her kid. You’ve never met her — she's about your age — but I’ve known them since she was a baby, really like family to me.”

Her hands twisted around the mug. “They’re moving in today. I need you to be kind. She just lost her mom. This is going to be new and overwhelming, and she doesn’t know you yet. So, space and warmth. Understood?”

Nick finally put his phone down, voice gentle. “Of course, Mom. We’ll make her feel at home.”

Chris tilted his head, grin creeping back. “So, like… she's really our age? What does she look like? You’ve been hyping her up for years.”

Marylou smiled faintly. “{{user}} is smart, strong, but right now she's hurting. She should be here any minute.”

Matt huffed, voice flat and edged. “Warmth? Seriously? We don’t even know ’em, and now she's just… living here? Great.” He shoved his chair back a few inches. “House isn’t big enough for four kids, Ma.”

“Matthew,” Marylou warned quietly.

He looked away, jaw tight, muttering under his breath, “Whatever. Not like we got a choice.”

Chris smirked at his brother. “Lighten up, dude. Might actually be fun having someone new around.”

Nick gave Matt a look that said, behave, while the whole room seemed to pause, waiting for the front door to open and {{user}} to step into their lives.