AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I didn’t. But do you know that the idiom is an example of a synecdoche?” I ask in response.
“What’s a synecdoche?” Penny is adorable with her inquisitive nature and curious expression.
Turning toward the little genius, I say, “Since you have a photographic memory, why don’t you go look it up and then come back and tell us? This way, you’ll remember it forever!” Penny rushes out of the room and up the stairs, ready and excited to learn something new.
I expect to see her come down, but Aiden graces us with his presence first. “Thank you for the ice bath. It helped a lot. And Anna, I didn’t mean to sound condescending when I asked how you knew about that as a recovery technique. I apologize if it came across that way.”
“I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have assumed that you thought I was uneducated simply because I’m a nanny. That was presumptuous of me.”
“No. I would never think it’s because you’re a nanny. I thought it was because you’re blonde!” When he sees I’m about to retort with a snarky comment, he throws his hands up in surrender. “I’m joking! Too soon?”
“Yes! It should have waited until after dessert was served! Now, you won’t be getting any!” I try to keep my tone playful, and Aiden smiles when he understands I’m teasing. It’s absolutely glorious, and my legs wobble a little when all his pearly whites show.
“Sah-nec-dah-key is ‘a figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole,’ according to my Merriam-Webster dictionary!” Penny yells exuberantly as she comes down the stairs. Her smile matches her father’s, who is rather amused.
“Now that we all know what a synecdoche is, can you tell us why the saying ‘Many hands make light work’ is considered one?” I ask, doing my best to challenge her. Her tongue pokes out of the corner of her mouth as she thinks really hard about it. Her face lights up when she finally gets it.
“Because hands refer to a person, not just the body part!” she declares.
“That’s right! Great job, Penny!” Martha says.
“Anna made me work for that one!” Penny wipes her brow as if the task exhausted her.
Aiden tilts his head at me, taking me all in. He isn’t leering at me like some men would but trying to delve deeper and figure me out. I don’t want him to see further than my surface, so I say louder than I should, “Dinner’s ready! Who’s hungry?”
Turning away, I quickly grab the chicken from the oven, cutting out the larger pieces and putting them on a plate. I then put the fresh-steamed broccoli and cilantro-lime rice into separate bowls for serving. Aiden and his parents each place a dish on the table while I slice the bread, which is now dense enough to cut but still warm enough to melt butter.
“This looks wonderful and smells divine. Thank you both for doing this,” Aiden says, truly grateful.
“It’s nutritious, too!” Penny reminds him. “Anna said you would need protein and carbs for your game tomorrow. Did you know that broccoli has fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and po-tas-si-um in it? I looked it up,” Penny exclaims.
Aiden looks lovingly at his daughter. “I did. It’s an essential part of an athlete’s diet, as are many other green vegetables.”
Penny giggles, “It also helps you poop!”
Martha admonishes her but fails to keep the grin from her face, “Penny, that’s not appropriate talk around the dinner table.”
Reggie clears his throat, “Why don’t we say grace before the food gets cold.”
We all bow our heads and close our eyes. I’m startled when Penny’s hand slips into mine, but I take it for the welcoming gesture that it is. I crack open one eye and see everyone holding hands. Reggie is to my right and has his palm resting on the table. Not wanting to be rude, I lightly touch it to grab his attention. His gaze meets mine, and he grins before gripping my hand and bowing his head again.
His deep voice resonates throughout the room. “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed upon us. We thank You for bringing Anna into this home and making her a part of this family.” My eyes fly open, and I glance at Aiden, who is equally shocked by his father’s words. Reggie continues without missing a beat. “We thank You for this food and the many provisions that You provide us that sustain us in our time of need. In Your name, we pray, Amen.”
“Amen,” we all echo.
“Um, Dad,” Aiden begins to say while my face turns beet red, and Reggie raises his hand to stop him.
“I know what you’re going to say, Aiden, but I meant every word. Anna will be living here and should be considered part of the family until God sees fit for her to move on,” Reggie states emphatically.
Leave it to Penny to ask the tough questions. “Then why didn’t you pray that about Ms. Angela when she was my nanny?”
Aiden leans back in his seat and crosses his arms, waiting for his dad to dig himself out of the hole he’s in.
“Um. Well. You see…”
Martha gently places her hand over her husband’s and addresses Penny: “Your grandpa and I prayed for Angela every day, Baby.”
Aiden grunts but says nothing. The corner of his lip quirks up as he cuts into his chicken. After he chews thoroughly and swallows, he breaks the awkward silence.
