Page 54 of Undeniably Perfect

I shrug. “Not sure.”

“Tabby, hon, is that you?” Gran's voice comes from the front door.

I get up and walk over to hug her.

“Hey, Gran.”

She squeezes me and it’s the most affection I’ve had from a family member in so long, it almost makes me cry.

“How are you doing? Can you stay? I’m making meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”

“Sure. I’ll help you.”

We walk into the kitchen as Gran rambles on about the Johnsons.

Kent

I can’t wait to get home tonight. It’s Saturday and time for our weekly Moore family dinner. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins will be at this one. I want Tabby to meet the whole crazy family. It’s my mom’s birthday this week, so the weekly get-together is doubling as a family party. Thankfully, I didn’t forget with all the crazy team stuff going on. I had a bouquet delivered to her. I also got her a new team jersey with her name on it. And I promised her a mother and son day once playoffs are over.

With playoffs, I haven’t had to do anything other than invite my friends to the party. I feel a little guilty about that, but I also know my siblings have everything covered. Di and Lanie live for planning a good party. Plus, Tabby left with Lanie to help set up after the game. So, all hands are on deck.

I drive home thinking about Tabby. I probably shouldn’t because driving with a hard-on is not comfortable.

Tabitha

Lanie and I were sent to pick up food. We arrive back just as Kent is pulling into the driveaway. If I thought the Moores’ house was crazy last time, this time it’s on a whole new level of madness. Animals, children, and adults are everywhere.

I walk in behind Kent, using him as a human shield of sorts against the chaos in the house.

“Get over here,” Kylie yells from the deck. I practically sprint out of the crowded house and through the screen door.

“It’s crazy in there,” I whisper as I take the hard cider she hands me. It’s then that I notice the hot tub is filled with rubber duckies, like Bert and Ernie rubber duckies.

“Uh, what’s with the duckies?” I ask, pointing as though there are rubber duckies somewhere other than the hot tub.

Kylie giggles. “It’s a long story, involving us kids pranking my mom. Lanie ordered a butt load of rubber duckies and we kept leaving them everywhere. My mom thought it was the same rubber ducky. Anyhow, many years later, and it’s a birthday tradition.”

I give her a confused look, and she giggles some more. “Just know that Mom thinks fondly of rubber duckies now.”

“OK,” I say slowly.

“Checking out the ducks?” Di asks as she sits down.

“Yeah.”

“Sweeties, can you help me in the kitchen?” an older woman says from the door.

“OK, coming, Nana,” Di says. She turns to me. “Time for the ten-cent family tree tour. That’s Nana Betty, she’s Mom’s mom. And that older guy in the family room is PopPop Bob. He’s sitting next to Gran Tilly who is Dad’s mom. Dad’s dad, Grandpa Lou, passed away when we were kids. Mom’s sisters, Karla and Kara, are in the dining room. Karla is married to Uncle Jim and they have two boys, Aaron who is a psychiatrist and Brent who is a CPA. Aunt Kara is the cool aunt. She travels the world writing for a travel magazine. Dad’s brother, Uncle Justin, and his wife, Aunt Ally, are in the kitchen and that’s their daughter, Sadie, helping Nana Betty. Sadie is pretty cool. We hang out with her sometimes. Aaron and Brent live out of state now, so we only see them at big family get-togethers like this. And I think you met all the neighbors already. Lyla and Amery should be here with Gran Mill soon and, oh, Nate and Ward just got here. We all have friends stopping by. I’ll try to introduce you as they arrive. And there will be a pop quiz on names later.” Di winks at me as she goes into the kitchen.

“That’s a lot of people,” I say to Kylie as Lanie walks out with a bowl of chips.

Kylie shrugs. “There’s always a lot of people around here. We were that house, you know the one, the one where all the kids congregate all the time. Plus, my parents always had the best neighborhood parties. Mom lives for that stuff.”

“That’s nice.”

“I suppose. Sometimes it’s nice when it’s just the immediate family, too, but I love having my grandparents over. Come on, we can introduce you to them,” she says standing and grabbing a handful of chips.

“Nana!” she calls out as we walk past Kent and one of the cousins.

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