Perry bit his tongue. They would, he was sure. He pictured the whole thing unfolding. Although maybe it wasn’t all bad; if Phoebe ferried her family and all their belongings in, maybe it would be the natural time to ferry Grandma Elsie out to a nice, quiet assisted-living facility that was better suited to her needs, and where she could be cared for 24-7. He was about to suggest as much when he couldn’t help but notice that his mother was pouring herself yet another mimosa. At least she wasn’t lighting up.
Amelia must’ve noticed it, too. She glanced at him. “Who’s hungry?” she asked. This they agreed on: when in doubt, stuff everyone’s mouths with food. Less talk, less opportunity for insult.
Lunch was a feast. Jane had made her signature chicken curry wraps. Amelia had brought a homemade hummus that Perry did not particularly like but ate because he figured it was good for him. Phoebe held up a plastic grocery bag. “Sorry, everyone. Our kitchen was demolished, so I picked up a few things from thestore.” She plunked the bag unceremoniously on the table, leaving whatever was inside a mystery. Amelia, to her credit, unpacked it. “Oh, how nice. Cookies and cupcakes.”
Sugar, Perry thought. Just what all the kids on the crowded boat needed.
Amelia reached into the bottom of the bag and pulled out a soggy box. “And popsicles!”
Melted, thought Perry.
He excused himself and went to gather the kids for lunch.
Emma was leaning over the railing with Olivia, chatting away. He wondered what on earth Olivia could have said that had pulled his daughter out of her funk. Whatever it was, he was grateful, but he had to look away because there was the matter of her crimson bathing suit. He needed a beer.
“Food is out,” he said.
Olivia brightened. “Oh good. I brought something.”
Before he could answer, she retrieved a large food basket from under one of the seats and carried it over to the table. The family gathered like vultures as she unpacked its contents. She’d brought far more than just something.
“Olivia, did you make all this yourself?” Jane exclaimed.
“She sure did,” Jake said. He was beaming. “She got up early this morning to get it all done.”
There was a chilled bean salad tossed with a tart vinaigrette. Toasted ham and cheese crostini. A glass container filled with neat rows of endive and herbed cheese. And a tart lemon cake sliced into small squares with powdered sugar. Phoebe snagged one. “Oh my God, this is heaven. What’s in it? A pound of butter?”
Olivia bit her lip. “Maybe.”
“I have to stop,” Phoebe said. She took another and went to check on the boys. A moment later, she was back for more.
Perry had not been hungry at all, but he found himself drawn to the spread. For once the Goodwin clan went silent, sampling all of what Olivia had brought, licking their fingers. Perry tried the ham and Gruyère crostini, and found he was starving. He filled his plate with two more.
“My girl can cook,” Jake said, looking around with pleasure.
“You’re going to be fat,” Phoebe told him. “I can’t wait.”
Everyone chuckled, even Rob. Lulled by the rocking boat and the good food and the warm sun, Perry felt the family begin to relax.
Sated, he stood and stretched. “Anyone want to swim?” he asked. But to his dismay, the adults all shook their heads.
The children, however, were all in. Phoebe’s boys were fearless, flinging themselves into the water from every height the pontoon boat could offer. Perry noted with astonishment at how untroubled Phoebe and Rob seemed to be by it. They sat on the far end of the boat, drinks in hand, as if they had not a care in the world. His expression must’ve said as much.
“What?” Phoebe snapped, glancing over at him. “The boys have life vests on.”
Perry shrugged. “I know. But they can’t actually swim, can they?”
“Oh, Perry. Here we go.” She got up and stalked off in the boys’ direction. “I’ll go be a better mother.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Perry said.
Jake, who was the only one still eating, set down his plate and peeled his shirt off. “Let me take a turn watching the kids. I could really use a cooling off, anyway.”
And just like that, suddenly everyone wanted to swim. “Good idea,” Edward agreed. “It’s gotten warm, all of a sudden.”
Even Amelia stood and removed her cover-up. “Want to swim?”
Perry shook his head. He had wanted to. Five minutes ago, when he’d asked them all.
