by Patricia Fry
“Oh, is that adorable,” Brianna gushed. “I want one of those. He looks so fun and snuggly, too. Where’d you get it?”
“Online, of course,” Max said, smiling.
“What do you have there for our big boy?” Margaret asked, trying to look inside the large gift bag Bud had taken out of his truck.
Brianna announced, “Baby’s first train set.” She became a little giddy. “It’s so cute, Aunt Maggie. He’s going to love it.”
“And so will Dr. Mike,” Bud added, grinning.
Max’s face lit up. “Hey, maybe Teddy’ll let us guys play with it. Doesn’t he take a nap after lunch?”
“Good thinking there, Max,” Bud said, laughing.
Brianna slapped playfully at her fiancé. “Don’t you two dare bully my sweet nephew out of his favorite birthday gift.”
“Come in,” Gladys invited, opening the front door for the two couples. Her smile widened when she saw the toy horse in Max’s arms and the gift bag Bud carried. “Look at the wonderful gifts.”
“Where should we put them?” Margaret asked.
“How about on the fireplace hearth. It’s warm today; we won’t be lighting a fire.”
While Gladys chatted with her sister and younger daughter, Savannah and Michael greeted Colbi and Damon. Savannah looked around behind the couple as they stepped inside, asking, “Where’s Rosemary?”
“With Grandma Ris-Ris and Grumpa Craig.”
“Grumpa?” Michael questioned. “That’s unique.”
“That’s what she calls him,” Damon said.
“And of course, we all encourage it,” Colbi added, “even Craig.”
“Cool,” Savannah said. She hugged Colbi. “I haven’t seen you all week. I miss you.”
“Yeah, what’s been going on?”
“Been doing some riding. I have two horses now,” Savannah announced.
“Really?”
“Yeah, want to go riding?”
“I’d love it,” Colbi said. “Yes, yes.”
“Okay, we’ll do it.” Savannah turned to Damon. “How’s the world treating you?”
“Good,” he said.
Savannah tilted her head. “I’ve wondered, about your grandmother and I keep forgetting to ask. How is she?”
“Grandmother Ellen is great,” he said. “I talk to her just about every day. We’re driving out to the coast to see her and Aunt Audrey soon. We want Rosemary to know them.”
“Right,” Colbi said. “And Grandmother adores Rosemary. I think she’s what keeps Grandmother Ellen going.”
“Yeah,” Michael said, “she was kind of ill when you two found each other, wasn’t she?”
Damon nodded. “But she’s better now. She goes out to dinner with us when we’re there. We even do a little sightseeing sometimes—things she believes Rosemary would enjoy.”
“Nice,” Savannah said. “Children can never have too many people who love them.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” When Colbi saw Craig carrying the toddler into the house, she said excitedly, “There’s our girl.” She reached for Rosemary. “Did you have fun, sweetie?”
Craig laughed when the toddler pulled back from Colbi and said, “Grumpa cookie.”
“What?” Colbi and Damon asked.
“I’m afraid Grumpa’s into bribery,” Iris explained. “He promised her a cookie once we got here.”
Colbi gave Craig a disgusted look. “Shame on you, Grumpa.”
He smiled at the child. “Whatever works.”
“Where’s the birthday boy?” Iris asked, looking around. When she saw Teddy sitting on Brianna’s lap playing with her necklace, she joined them. “There you are!” She handed him a package wrapped in blue paper decorated with a teddy bear pattern. A stuffed kitten was tied on top with a bright red ribbon. “Aunt Ris-Ris brought you something,” she cooed.
The one-year-old looked at her, then smiled brightly at the stuffed cat. Brianna took the package and put it on the baby’s lap. “Shall we open it?”
“I think he just wants the toy on top,” Bud said. “Heck with the package, right, buddy? That doesn’t look interesting; it’s what’s on top.”
“Well, I think he’ll find it interesting,” Iris said. She removed the toy cat and handed it to the baby, then tore into the wrapping.
When Teddy saw the colorful little wagon full of blocks, his face lit up and he reached for it. Brianna placed him on the floor with the toy and he began removing the blocks and tossing them.
“Look Craig, he likes it,” Iris said, when he walked up to them, still holding Rosemary. She chuckled. “He’ll probably want to take Rags for a ride in his little wagon.”
Michael smiled. “Yeah, I’ll be sure to film that; it could go viral on the Internet.”
When Gladys realized that everyone had arrived, she asked, “Shall we serve?”
“Yes,” Michael said, “let’s get this gourmet meal on the table.” He disappeared through the kitchen door, returning with a covered pan, which he set on the buffet amidst three salads, a crock of beans, devilled eggs, and a variety of condiments.
“What is it?” Max asked. “What kind of gourmet meal did you conjure up today?”
“Well, chef,” Michael said, lifting the lid with dramatic flair, “it’s hot dogs.” When everyone commented, some with cheers and some feigning complaints, he insisted, “Hey it’s Teddy’s birthday and Teddy likes hot dogs.”
“Okay, then,” Max said. He walked up to the baby, who was now in Savannah’s arms. “High five, my man.”
Teddy simply stared at him.
Table talk was lively that afternoon, as everyone caught up with the goings-ons in one another’s lives. Colbi announced that they’d enrolled Rosemary in Barbara’s day care. She smiled. “With my free time, I plan expand my article-writing work.”
“Have you had anything published lately?” Brianna asked.
“Yeah, actually—a piece on babies’ teething necklaces for an online magazine, and I have one coming out in a health magazine on the most effective weight-loss programs and products for new mothers.”
“Good for you,” Gladys said.
Iris smiled. “Yeah, we’re sure proud of her.” She looked at her son. “Damon’s writing, too.”
“Yeah, I see his stories in the newspaper every week,” Max said.
“But he’s writing a novel. Did you know that?” Iris asked.
Brianna looked at Damon. “I remember you saying you were going to do that. What genre?”
“It has become a kind of conspiracy thriller.”
“He just finished the first draft,” Colbi bragged.
“Yeah, again,” Damon said.
“Are we in it?” Margaret asked.
Damon grinned. “I’m not telling.”
“What?” Iris exclaimed. “You’d write about us without telling us?”
“Not purposely, but sometimes a personality quirk or an incident will sneak into a story without you actually planning it.” He glanced around at everyone. “There’s nothing in there that identifies anyone specifically. I promise.”
Margaret narrowed her eyes. “Well, I’d better not find someone resembling me in your book.” She cocked her head and smiled. “Unless, of course, you’ve presented her in a favorable light—you know, like I actually am.” After several others joked back and forth about Margaret’s statement, she glared playfully at Savannah and spouted, “I’ve had my share of fame in my niece’s books, thank you very much.”
“And did she write the truth as you see it, Maggie?” Bud asked.
Margaret studied Savannah for a moment, finally revealing, “She does a pretty good job. She sure puts that cat of hers on a pedestal, though.” She addressed Iris. “Hey, I hear he caused a calamity at your house the other night.”
Iris looked surprised for a moment, then said, “Oh yes, he did.”
“What did he do?” Colbi asked.
“He broke some of my grandmother’s china.” When the others
waited to hear more, she added, “He wanted a strawberry.”
“Cantaloupe,” Savannah corrected.
“Whatever.” Iris continued, “He pulled the tablecloth off my table, and with it went some of my beautiful dishes, and the fruit, and cups of scalding coffee.”
“Oh, stop exaggerating,” Savannah scolded. “The coffee was already lukewarm. By the way, Iris, I ordered your new china.”
“Oh goodie. Thank you.”
Savannah smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“So how’re things at the inn?” Michael asked. He looked at Savannah. “We need to stay there some time and enjoy all the amenities.”
“Yes, do!” Iris urged. “That would be fun.” She feigned a scowl. “Just leave your cat at home, will you?”
Everyone laughed.
Iris elbowed her husband. “Craig, tell them what you’re planning.”
“What?” he asked, playing dumb. When she glared at him, he said, “Oh yes, the boys and I are going up to the cabin in a few weeks to do a little fishing. They’ll be out on break, and I thought it would be a nice gift for two hard-working young students.”
“They seem to be doing well in college,” Iris said.
“You’ve done a good job with those boys,” Savannah complimented.
Damon nodded. “Yes, she has.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “I think I kind of resented them when they came to live with us, but I’m glad Mom hung in there with them. She worked hard to raise them right and it seems to be paying off.”
“Well, I’d say you turned out okay, too,” Margaret said.
Colbi squeezed against Damon’s arm affectionately and he said, “Well, I’m not much one for regrets. I tend to believe what is, is and that life is a learning experience.” He looked at Iris. “But I sure do regret what I put my mother through.”
“Awww, honey,” Iris crooned, “I’ve been repaid in triplicate—maybe quadruplicate.” When the others looked at her, she continued, “You’re a wonderful young man and I’m so proud of you. You married the daughter-in-law of my dreams. You two have given me the most wonderful grandchild ever.” She looked at Craig. “And, Damon, if it hadn’t been for some of your shenanigans, I might never have hooked up with this man.” She dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “I’m blessed. Don’t you worry for one minute about what was.”
“What a lovely tribute,” Gladys said.
“It’s all true,” Iris insisted. “Add to that my wonderful friends, and…” When her voice cracked, she took a deep breath and looked around. “Hey, today’s Teddy’s very first birthday. Let’s focus on him, okay?”
“Hear! Hear!” Max said, raising his glass of iced tea toward the baby.
Everyone else chimed in and Margaret led a booming chorus of the Happy Birthday song.
Teddy stared out at everyone for a few moments, puckered up, and began to wail.”
“What’s wrong, Son?” Michael asked tenderly, lifting the baby from the high chair. He held him tightly.
Savannah joined Michael with gestures to comfort Teddy. When the baby reached for her, she took him and walked with him into the living room, where he noticed the wooly horse his Great Aunt Maggie and Great Uncle Max had brought him. Teddy pointed at it and babbled. Savannah smiled. “Do you want to get acquainted with your new horsie?”
He pointed and jabbered again, so Savannah stood him next to it. She watched as he patted the horse. He poked it with his finger and looked at Savannah, then patted it again.
“Want to go for a ride?” she asked.
He raised one leg indicating he wanted to sit on the horse, so Savannah lifted him up. When he realized the horse bounced, he began moving his body back and forth and laughed. The others could see him from the dining room and they also laughed. Some took out their phones and snapped pictures.
Soon Savannah lured Teddy back to the table and they all continued eating. Savannah glanced around at everyone and asked, “So Auntie, Max, what’s new with you two?”
Max smiled at Margaret. “After the spring kittens are all settled into forever homes, we hope to leave the shelter in Becky’s and the volunteers’ capable hands and we’re going to Baltimore to spend a little time with my son and his family.”
“Nice,” Gladys said. “How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”
“A good year.” He addressed Gladys. “What about you? You seem to enjoy being here with Savannah and Michael. Are you planning a little getaway this summer?”
“As a matter of fact, I’m going back to Los Angeles to spend time with some of my friends. As you may recall, my visit was cut short the last time I was there.” Eager to get out of the limelight, Gladys turned to her younger daughter. “I hear you’re taking a cruise.”
“You are?” Margaret asked. “Doctoring must pay pretty well. Where are you going?”
Brianna looked at Bud and shrugged. “Not sure yet, but you can bet it will be to a tropical paradise.”
Savannah smiled widely. “How romantic!” She winked at her mother and Gladys grinned knowingly, both of them wondering if the couple would come back as husband and wife.
“So how’s Gail Allen?” Margaret asked as the women straightened up the kitchen a while later.
Just then Lily pulled on Savannah’s skirt hem. “Mommy, Mommy, can Teddy open presents?”
“Yes, as soon as we finish putting things away.” When Lily pouted, Savannah said, “Lily, go get your present for Teddy and let him open that. We’ll be there in a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay,” Lily said excitedly, running out of the room and disappearing into the hallway. She returned with a gift bag and handed it to Teddy, who sat on a quilt on the floor, playing with his toys. Rags lay on one edge of the quilt. When Lily saw her baby brother staring at the bag, she took it from him. “I open it for you. This is for you,” she said, pulling a toy truck from the bag. “I show you how it works.”
Each time the baby reached for the toy, Lily picked it up and ran it along the floor or rolled the wheels. The third time she pulled it away from him, he started to cry.
Lily looked at her dad, who said, “Let your brother have it, punkin. He wants to play with his toy. I think he really likes it, don’t you?”
Lily nodded. She placed the toy truck on the quilt next to Teddy and ran toward the packages on the fireplace hearth. “I’ll get him more presents. I’ll give Teddy his presents.”
“Let’s wait until Mommy, Grammy, and the others come in here, shall we?” Michael suggested. When Lily pouted, he said, “They’ll be here in a minute. Just be patient, can’t you?
“All finished,” Savannah said, walking into the room. “Lily, would you like to hand Teddy his gifts?”
Lily’s face brightened and she ran to the hearth, picked up a gift bag, and took it to Teddy. As soon as he’d opened one gift, she repeated the process. Brianna helped her carry her gift, as it was heavy. After all of the appropriate ooohs and aaahs and thank yous and hugs were shared, Lily helped Savannah and Brianna serve the birthday cake. Rosemary got into the act, as well. With help, she delivered a piece of cake to Craig and one to Iris, beaming each time with pride at her accomplishment.
In the meantime, pretty much on schedule, Teddy began rubbing his eyes and fussing a little.
“Someone’s sleepy,” Savannah chirped. She picked up the baby and looked around the room at everyone. “This has been great. Thank you all so much. Teddy,” she prompted, “can you tell everyone thank you and good night?”
The baby simply buried his face in Savannah’s neck.
Savannah kissed his cheek and announced to the others, “I’ll be right back.”
As soon as Savannah left the room with Teddy, Max and Bud looked at each other and they both dove for the train set.
Michael immediately perked up. “Oh, we’re going to play trains, are we?”
“Really?” Damon said, dropping to the floor.
The women laughed. When Savannah returned to the room and saw the
four grown men gleefully laying out the train track, she shook her head. “Do they ever grow up?”
“I hope not,” Brianna said. She looped her arm in Savannah’s and Colbi’s. “It’s pretty outside, how about we ladies get some fresh air?”
Colbi looked back at the two little girls, who were now playing with Lily’s set of dishes. “Damon, keep an eye on her, okay? We’re going outside.”
“Uh-huh,” Damon muttered.
“Anyone want iced tea? Lemonade?” Savannah asked.
“I’ll get it,” Gladys offered.
Iris stood up. “I’ll help.”
Once all the ladies were seated comfortably on the wraparound porch with their beverages, Savannah asked, “Bri, how’s Gail today? Did you see her?”
Brianna chugged her iced tea and nodded. “Yeah, I saw her this morning. She seems to be okay—no brain damage.”
“What do you think happened?” Savannah asked. “Did she tell you or do you know from the shape of the gash?”
“Yeah, I’ve been wondering that too,” Craig said, stepping out onto the porch. “Okay if I join you gals?”
“Can’t get down on the floor anymore, huh, old man?” Iris joked.
“It’s not that,” he said. “I can get down there all right, but I…”
Margaret interrupted, “But you can’t get back up, right? I have the same problem.”
After everyone stopped laughing and Savannah had issued a proper invitation for Craig to join them, Brianna looked at Craig. “It’s hard to tell what happened. What did your investigation show?”
Craig mulled over her question for a moment, finally saying, “I think she was attacked.”
“That’s what she said when we first got there,” Savannah remarked.
“She did?” Craig asked. “You didn’t tell me that, did you?”
She lowered her brow. “I don’t know, but yeah, at first she said someone attacked her, then she changed her story, right Bri?”
Brianna nodded. “So Craig, I gather you didn’t find anything in her room that could have caused that type of injury.”
He shook his head. “No weapons anywhere on the property.”
“Weapons?” Margaret asked.
