“This is so awesome! I can’t believe it!” Peter exclaimed.
Papa winked. “You should be able to believe almost anything after the things you have seen, Peter. We better get downstairs now before Nana has to come looking for us.”
Friends, family, kids from school, everyone from miles around must have come to the party. Peter was cheerless when it ended. He wanted the night to go on forever. Peter’s excitement was rejuvenated when he remembered what would be happening at the end of his night.
Peter reached into his pocket and pulled out the angel figurine that Henry had given him before facing Goaltan. Peter had tried to return it to Mr. Rupert, but Mr. Rupert asked if it was alright if they made an even swap, Peter’s soldier action figure for the figurine. Mr. Rupert said that the soldier added color to the collection and it was a nice reminder of the day his life changed for the better. He placed the angel carefully on top of the cash register. There it would remain.
It was time to go. Instead of heading toward the door, Papa headed toward the elevator and started walking with Nana. He looked back over his shoulder and said, “Come along, everyone. I want to show you something.”
Peter and his family, Lina and her family, Mr. Rupert and his son and daughter-in-law all piled into the elevator. Papa took a key out of his pocket. Once the doors closed, he picked up the phone and said, “Home Sweet Home.” A second later a small plaque that read “Emergency Phone” opened up like a mailbox and a keyhole appeared. Papa stuck his key inside and turned. A secret room! What else could there be? Peter thought.
When the doors opened, Peter recognized one thing immediately: Nana and Papa’s floral couch. It was a home—Nana and Papa’s home.
“Dad, what is this?” Peter’s father inquired.
“Your mom and I thought it would be nice to close up shop and be home. I always thought of my sweet shop as my second home. Now it can truly be home. We sold our old house to a lovely young couple who are expecting twins.” Papa smiled, slyly pointing to Buddy and Lisa who were smiling guiltily.
“Twins? Double grandtastic! I can’t believe it! Y’all are sly ones.” Mr. Rupert bent toward Lisa’s pregnant belly and said to his grandbabies, “We are goin’ to have loads of fun!”
It was finally time for what Peter had been eagerly awaiting all night, months actually. Nana saved her Honeyville story and promised to tell it in its full glory after the grand opening of Papa’s Sweet Shop. She said it would make the night that much more special. At first, Peter didn’t like the idea of waiting. After some consideration, he knew the anticipation of hearing Nana’s story would be like waiting for his birthday. Tonight, the waiting was finally over and his biggest gift would be unwrapped.
Award-winning author Crystal Marcos has been a storyteller her entire life. Being the oldest of five children, she had a lot of entertaining to do. Crystal lives on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with her husband and their daughter, Kaylee. Her first book, BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale, won the Readers Favorite Silver Award in its category.
Visit her at www.CrystalMarcos.com
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