Page 84 of The Summer We Started Over

Bobby ran to his mother and climbed on her lap.

William bent down to face the child.

“Hello, Bobby,” William said. “I’m your grandfather. You can call me Pop.”

Bobby’s eyes went wide. “I’ve never had a grandfather before.”

William kissed the boy’s forehead and managed to smile, although the rest of his face was scrunched up as if he were in pain.

“Cheese and crackers,” William said, blinking away tears.

“Helloooooo!” Dinah’s greeting carried to them as she came in the front door. “My darlings, I’ve had such a wonderful day.”

Dinah swept into the room, all frills and perfume. Her lips were pink, her cheeks were rosy, her white summer dress was very low-necked.

Bobby’s jaw dropped. “Are you an angel?”

Dinah didn’t skip a beat. “No, butyouare.” She came close to Bobby and Dove. She put out her finger and gently pressed Bobby’s arm. “Oh, wow! You’re real! I thought you were an angel, but you’re a real little boy. Would you like to test me?”

Bobby gently touched Dinah’s arm. “You’re real, too.”

“Extremely real,” Dinah told him. She pulled a chair up to thetable. “You must be Dove. I’m so happy to meet you and your son. I’m Dinah Lavender. A friend of the family.”

“Bobby,” William said, “I want you to meet Dinah. She writes wonderful books.”

“I like books,” Bobby said.

Barrett sniffed loudly.

“Good grief,” Eddie said. “What a day. I’m going to heat up a pan of mac and cheese.”

“I’ll make a salad.” Barrett went to the refrigerator to take out lettuce and vegetables.

The sisters worked side by side, listening to the conversation at the table. Eddie took the large pan of homemade mac and cheese from the freezer and pre-heated the oven. Barrett tore up the romaine with shaking hands.

Dinah said to Bobby, “Your grandfather is writing a book about men who write poems.”

Bobby crinkled up his nose. “Does it have monsters likeShrek?”

William glanced at Dove.

“He likes monsters,” Dove said.

William stuttered, “Monsters…well, let me think.”

“He’s writing about Lamia,” Dinah whispered. “Lamia is a woman but she’s also a snake.”

“Cool!” Bobby yelled.

“And sweet old Wordsworth called his wife aphantomof delight.” She explained, “A phantom is like a ghost.”

“You’ve been reading my book,” William said.

“Yes, of course,” Dinah replied. She winked at William. “Have you been reading mine?”

Barrett muttered to Eddie, “Dinah winked at Dad!”

Dinah focused on the little boy. “Bobby, do you like poems?”

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