Page 58 of Beyond Oblivion

“I’m not paying him another dime just so he can tell me I’m old, sis,” Jim said.

“You always say that,” I said, opening the Styrofoam containers and organizing them in the center of the table. “Thanks for lunch, guys.”

“Sorry we didn’t give you a heads up,” Travis said. “We realized after we left the restaurant that you might’ve already bought groceries.”

“I did,” I said, shrugging one shoulder. “Just stuff for fajitas, but I’m sure we’ll have lunch again tomorrow.”

Jim chuckled, taking his seat at the head of the table. “Did you get any of them dumplings I like?” he asked, searching over his glasses.

“Right here, Dad,” I said, nudging the container. “Let me get plates first.”

“I’ve got them,” Abby said, already in the cabinet.

Olive sat on the other side of James, because Jessica had already claimed her seat next to her favorite person in the world, Papa Jim.

Abby distributed the plates, pausing only when Trenton blew through the door, covered in sweat and grass. “It’s almost ready,” she called to him.

“Just let me rinse off and change real quick. It’s stupid hot and it’s not even officially spring. I’m soaked.” And with that, he disappeared down the hall.

“Good,” Jessica said. “Maybe the pool will open soon.”

“Not this soon,” I said with a smile.

Abby frowned at her daughter. “Don’t talk with your mouth full, baby.”

“Sis,” Jim scolded. “Leave my sweetheart alone. She’s at Papa’s house, and Papa don’t care.”

“I care,” Abby said.

Jessica bounced as she kicked her feet under the table, grinning without the slightest worry of consequence. She was sitting next to her free pass, Abby’s kryptonite, the man who would find an excuse even if that angelic ball of fire were to burn down his house.

“Have I told you how much you look like your Granny Diane?” Jim asked his granddaughter.

“Only every day since her first birthday,” Travis said, finally taking a seat next to his dad. “And Mom would hate being called Granny.”

“No, she wouldn’t,” Jim said, still smiling at Jessica.

Jessica shook her head in agreement, mirroring his expression.Partners in crime, those two.

“It’s the eyes,” Abby said, pointing with her plastic fork. “Identical. It’s wild to me to look at old photos and see my daughter’s eyes looking back at me.”

“Do you know who you look like?” Jim asked James.

James pointed at Abby and then Travis.

“Perfect combination of both!” I said, my arms crowded with glasses of ice water.

“It sounds like Christmas in here,” Trenton said, walking in with the fresh T-shirt and basketball shorts he’d brought from home, just like he did every Saturday he mowed. “Hi, baby.” He pecked my cheek as I started to pass, but then paused, helping me pass out the drinks.

“More like Chinese New Year,” Travis quipped.

We were all finally seated, our plates full, and ready for Jim to say the blessing.

“Our Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us with family, our health, and wealth. We ask you to bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, to protect us as we go about our days. In Jesus Name…”

“And Lord,” Olive interrupted.

I peeked with one eye, seeing her knuckles white as she firmly intertwined her fingers, her eyes closed tight.

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