* * *
Two hours later,we are officially out of samples at the booth, so we can do nothing but anxiously wait for the contest results. We are all milling about when I hear a voice that makes my heart swell.
“Dad!”
I look through the crowd and see River running towards me. Bethany is trailing behind, her eyes glued to him as he makes his way toward us. I let go of Chloe’s hand, which I was holding again, and am about to walk toward River when Finn jumps in front of me and extends his arms. My entire family watches.
“Hey, Bub! What are you doing here?” Finn says happily.
River stops just half a foot from Finn and his adorable little face scrunches up. “You’re Unkie Finn, not Dad.”
He tears around Finn, but Jake jumps in and lifts him up to his shoulders and swings him around. River giggles. “How did you know that wasn’t your dad, kid? I’ve known Copy and Paste for more than a decade and I still mix them up.”
“I just know,” River says, still giggling.
Jake puts him down, and he runs to me.
“He knows because he’s the smartest kid in the universe,” Dad proclaims, ruffling River’s hair as my son hugs my legs.
I let my eyes move from River to Bethany, who has come to a stop a foot from Chloe, River, and me. “Hey. I didn’t know you were coming to this.”
“I wasn’t, but Riv kept going on about how he wanted to see Grammy and Grampy win trophies,” Bethany explains, and she shrugs. “I figured, why not?”
“Thank you Beth,” Ma says stepping out from behind out booth. “It’s great to have him here.”
Bethany smiles softly at my mom. I smile at her. “I really appreciate it.”
Bethany nods and looks directly at Chloe, who I realize is shifting back and forth on her feet awkwardly. I clear my throat and am about to introduce them when Bethany steps forward and extends her hand. “I’m Bethany. I guess you know that, but I thought I should introduce myself properly.”
“Nice to meet you. Chloe,” Chloe says, and they shake hands, and I suddenly feel very grateful that they’re both so mature about this.
Someone calls Bethany’s name to our left and she glances over, smiles, and waves. She looks back at me. “That’s my friend from work. Can I leave him with you while I go say hi?”
“Of course.”
“Text me if you need to find me,” Bethany says and disappears.
“Hey Riv, Patty’s Parlor has a booth here today, and they have your favorite ice cream flavor—Moose Farts!” my dad tells him, and I notice Chloe’s face scrunch up.
River jumps up and down. “Can I have some, please?”
I nod at my dad, who reaches for River’s hand. “Come on and I’ll take you.”
“Ms. Patty is funny and her ice cream tastes good!” River says as they walk away.
Terra blinks, confused. “Moose Farts?”
“Patty’s most popular flavor,” Chloe explains. “Vanilla ice cream with fudge ganache swirl and chocolate covered peanuts.”
“Moose…farts?” Terra repeats, still in disbelief.
“She has one called Unicorn Toots, too,” Jake says. “She’s a weird one.”
Mayor Jim steps to the mic at the center of the stage and taps it. Feedback screeches through the room, making everyone cringe and groan except Mr. Butterfield, who must have forgotten his hearing aids again.
“Sorry! So sorry!” Mayor Jim says. Mayor Jim Humphries went to school with my Dad. He’s a squat, ruddy-faced man with a demeanor that would be too timid to run a city anywhere but Ocean Pines. “So thanks again everyone for coming. We had a wicked good turnout today, best festival we’ve ever had!”
There is a smattering of applause and someone in the crowd yells out, “Get to the good stuff, Jim!”
