“Okay. But if he gives you any trouble, you let me know.”
“Oh, stop your flirting, you old coot,” Grandma Nancy says, tsking behind him.
He turns and winks at her. “You jealous, Nancy darling?”
“I amnotjealous, and I amcertainlynot your darling!” she huffs.
“Nancy,my darling pumpkin, you sure look beautiful this fine Thanksgiving day,” he says, undeterred.
She harrumphs, but I think I see a little smile threatening to peek out. “Go sit down before you hurt yourself with all that sweet talk nonsense,” she tells him.
“Oh! Oh, hold on a minute!” He fumbles in his pocket before pulling out something green with a flourish, and then he hangs it over their heads. “Look what I came across!”
Grandma Nancy looks up with a frown, crinkling her brows. “What in the world is that?”
“It’s mistletoe!” He smooths it out. “Got a little smooshed in my pocket, but it still works.”
“Oh, it does, does it?” She puts her hand on her hip and stares him down.
He puts his hand on her waist and steps forward. “I believe so,” he says in a low voice.
We stare at them with bated breath.
And then he leans forward and gives her a quick kiss on the nose. I expect her to scold him and wave him off, but instead she chuckles and pats his cheek.
“You are the unruliest of men,” she says.
I laugh under my breath.
“You’ve got that right, darlin’,” he says.
And then Grandma Nancy sees us watching and walks away quickly.
“Sorry to ruin the moment, Uncle Hal,” I say.
“I think she’s softening, what do you think?” he whispers.
I laugh. “I think you might be right.”
In the meantime, Papa Hector has made a beeline for Grandma Donna, and I hear him say, “Donna, you are glowing brighter than the lake at sunrise,” his voice all gravel and honey. He hands her a bakery box like it’s a bouquet. “It’s that apple crisp that I know you like.”
Grandma Donna blushes bright red and pats the top of the box. “That was very thoughtful. Thank you, Hector.”
Lola nudges me with her elbow, and when I look at her, she whispers, “They are so cute!”
“Cute and persistent,” Juju whispers, rolling her eyes but laughing.
“Got room for two more?” Ava walks in hand in hand with Erin.
Erin’s free hand stretches up to the sky with flair. “The party has arrived.”
They hug everyone, and Erin reaches Lola and me last.
“You don’t even resemble a wet noodle today,” she says, tilting her head up when she sees me.
“I thought it was a wet puddle.”
“Same difference.” She waves me off and sits down.
