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“I can probably slip away for lunch. I could use a break. I miss you.”
They hadn’t been together much lately, Jake busy with new work, exhausted by his schedule, and Pam preparing for the party.
“I miss you, too,” she answered. “Hurry over.”
Back out in the kitchen, she let everyone know Jake was on his way. The others ate, chatting, the nervous energy that is often prevalent when people are killing time before a party filling the air.
“Get the cards out,” Ryan said. “This is driving me nuts.”
“You feel it too?” Pam asked.
“It’s pre-party jitters,” Hocus said. “The problem I see is that you didn’t leave anything until the last minute. Everything’s been organized and ordered and planned for a month.”
“I’m not even cooking this year,” Pam replied. “We’ve had the same caterers since before Jack died, but I still filled in with things I thought my family loved.”
“Mom, we did love it. Your potato salad is the best I’ve ever had. And Noni’s pies.”
“Well, she won’t be baking this year,” Pam said. “That’s not the impression she wants to make on the young boyfriend.”
The others laughed, Lisa shaking her head. “When they were here at Christmas, she never even held Madelyn.”
“I guess she feels like she did her duty to us. Bernice is the one. She’s had someone young since her husband died.”
“Who’s Bernice?” Hocus asked. “I’m losing track here.”
“Bernice is Jack’s mother, and her last marriage was to a wealthy man. He left everything to her.”
Everyone thought,Just like Randy did for Pam, but no one said it.
“So what’s next on the party agenda?” Ryan asked.
“Nothing! Only immediate family is staying here, and to those who live too far to make the round trip in a day, I sent hotel information.”
“This year, we hired a lifeguard again because of all the kids,” Ryan said. “It’ll be a zoo.”
“Yes, we’re getting fancy porta potties, too,” Pam said. “I don’t want everyone in the house. I’m getting nervous just thinking about it.”
“You don’t have to worry about a thing,” Ryan said. “We’re all going to make sure things go smoothly.”
“I even promise not to drink,” Dan said, laughing.
“Last year you snuck in and snuck out, if I remember correctly,” Lisa said.
“Yeah, well, I was trying to avoid someone. This year, I’m on good terms with everyone.”
“I think you were trying to avoid me,” Pam said, barking out a laugh.
“No, it was Sandra, I’m pretty sure,” Lisa said.
“I’m not telling,” Dan replied. “Anyway, I’m debating not bringing Lily.”
“Why not?” they chorused.
“Because I don’t want her to get used to being invited to the family affairs. I don’t want that kind of relationship with her. It’s casual, and I want to keep it that way. I already started involving her in the kids’ parties and holidays, that kind of crap, and now she expects it and thinks that we’re more than we are. I really regret it.”
“I get it,” Lisa said. “Does she mind?”
“We haven’t talked about it yet.”
