Game night was a go. But it was going to be a quiet affair. Amanda and Steve were coming, and Marcia, and also Nate, but no one else had been able to make it. Rebecca decided they should go ahead with the evening anyway.

They hadn’t had much in the way of company since Mike had shrunk. Friends with kids were out. Ditto anyone who brought a dog. And her parents had been — a little weirded out by the whole change in circumstances.

Mike was on the table, setting up the board as best he could, dragging play money bigger than he was into piles, while Rebecca got snacks ready in the kitchen. He heard her groan.

“What’s wrong?” he called.

“It’s Amanda and Steve – they got roped into something with his parents, and they’re backing out. And they were going to give Marcia a lift! She’s saying she can’t come either now.”

Mike took a moment to breathe before tackling Community Chest. “Should we cancel?” he asked.

“Well, Nate is probably on his way, and I’d feel bad pulling the rug out on him. I guess it’ll just be a very intimate game of Monopoly. With lots of leftover snacks and wine for me!” She giggled, well aware that Mike’s ability to put away food had shrunk with him.

So they waited for Nate to show, which he did; spot on time the doorbell rang and Rebecca went to answer the door, with Mike trailing behind her.

Nate stood outside, wearing crisp khakis and a blue buttoned shirt. He was holding a bottle of moderately expensive red wine.

“Welcome,” said Rebecca warmly. Nate stepped in to give her a hug, and Mike watched from the floor behind her as the two giants embraced. That always felt weird. No one could hug him anymore. The most he would get would be the offer to shake someone’s pinky, and they were usually smirking when they did it.

“Bad news,” Rebecca said, pulling back from Nate. Her left foot, sheathed in white tights, almost landed on Mike, who jumped back quickly, looking up ruefully at the hem of her skirt dancing far above him. She hadn’t even noticed! “Everyone else has cancelled.”

“So it’s just you and me, and Mike,” said Nate. Mike’s ears perked up. That sounded like an odd, extra long pause before “and Mike.”

“Well, more wine for us,” Nate continued. “Where is the little man anyway?” Rebecca looked around, and then down at her feet. “Oh! Here he is! Mike, I almost stepped on you!” She laughed uneasily.

“Better watch that,” Nate said with a grin. “Wouldn’t want your girlfriend to stomp on you!” He stepped forward, making a show of moving Rebecca away from the tiny man on the floor. His hands lingered for a moment on her hips.

Rebecca blushed deeply. “Shall we go in?” she said. Rebecca and Nate moved forward, their giant (to Mike) strides matching perfectly. Mike followed their giant bodies into the living room. He had to jog to keep up.