“Hey, everybody,” I said, raising my voice above the din of conversation. “Can I say something real quick?”
The noise quieted and all eyes moved to me. Even the babies looked in my direction.
Penelope adjusted her glasses and watched me with a little smile on her face.
“I think everyone knows her already, but I’d like to introduce mygirlfriend,” I said, emphasizing the word, “Penelope.”
There was a chorus ofawwws, a few people gasped, and Melanie wrapped her in a big hug.
Pen’s cheeks flushed, and she lifted her hand in a shy wave.
“I also wanted to let you all know that I’ve come to a big decision. I declined the job at Carolina. I’m staying.”
Zachary raised his arms in the air. “Yes! I knew it.”
He turned to Luke. “Pay up, brother. I was right.”
Luke shook his head as he got out his wallet and handed Zachary a twenty. “You called it.”
“You guys bet on whether Theo would stay?” Josiah asked.
“Of course we did.” Zachary moved over to the couch and held his hand out. “Come on, Dad. You too. Pay up.”
Dad scowled and the girls had to scramble off his lap so he could dig a bill out of his pocket.
“Paul,” Mom said, her tone gently scolding.
Dad just grunted and handed the twenty to Zachary while Marigold shook her head at her husband.
“What?” Zachary asked. “I was betting on you, Theo. Unlike these sorry excuses for Havens, I believed in you.”
“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not, but whatever,” I said. “Enjoy your winnings.”
Grinning, he held up the money. “Oh, I will.”
“If there aren’t any other big announcements,” Mom said, “it’s time to start getting dinner on the table.”
We all looked around at each other, but no one spoke up, and several people joined Mom in the kitchen.
The truth was, I would have another announcement soon. It wasn’t quite time for that yet, but I had a plan.
The scent of food wafted through the house as the last of the dinner preparations were made. I wandered toward the chaos in the kitchen to see if they needed help. Penelope joined me, but it looked like staying out of the way was the better option.
Taking Pen’s hand, I showed her the family photos in the hallway. She especially loved the one of the six of us boys with baby Annika in the middle. There were more of us as kids, and Mom had rearranged things so she could add wedding photos and pictures of all her grandchildren.
The front door flew open, and Aunt Louise came in, followed by Uncle George. Her tracksuit was brown and orange and she carried a pie covered with foil. George shut the door behind her and gave me a nod.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Aunt Louise said with a smile. “Theo, I’m so glad you’re here. I have the best news. Let me give this to your mom. Don’t move.”
I glanced at Pen and shrugged. “My aunt. She’s a whirlwind.”
Aunt Louise and Uncle George went back to the kitchen, and a moment later, Louise returned.
“We’re not staying,” she said. “We ate already. I brought over a cherry pie, and I was hoping to see you, my handsome nephew.”
I opened my mouth to introduce her to Pen, but she didn’t give me the chance.
“I was talking to my friend Linda, and would you guess where her daughter lives now?”
