Page 44 of Perfectly Grumpy

“Is it true I’m the only one who didn’t know?” I ask.

“Oh, sweetheart.” She takes a few steps toward me and opens her arms. “I’m so sorry. That wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.”

I nearly collapse into her arms. It’s been so long since anyone has held me like this—like I’m allowed to be broken.

When she pulls back slightly, she looks me straight in the eye, still keeping her hands on my shoulders. “I know the reunion is especially hard this year, but there’s something important happening tonight. Something your mother arranged before she left us.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re establishing the Rose Williamson Memorial Foundation. Every year, we’ll donate to a different charity in her name. And here’s the part she was most specific about—she wantedyouto choose the first recipient, Lauren. She said you’d know best where the money should go. And she feltcertainthere was a reason why.”

I blink. “Mom askedmeto pick the first one?”

“She did,” Granny says with a nod. “Tonight’s the announcement, and we need you there to tell everyone your choice.”

A warmth spreads through my chest, easing some of the day’s pain. This wassoMom. Always thinking of others and how she could help. Even her awareness of what I might need and how this would help me face the first reunionwithout her.

“You know how much it would mean…for everyone,” Granny says lovingly, stroking my arm. “Besides, there are some important details about the foundation we need to discuss with you after the announcement. Your mother was very specific about how she wanted this to work.”

I nod, blinking back tears. “Okay. I’ll be there.”

Granny squeezes my elbow before heading toward the front door with my suitcase.

“Granny, wait! You still have my suitcase.”

She turns back with a tiny, mischievous grin. “I know. Just making sure you don’t get any ideas about disappearing when I’m not looking. Your mother was stubborn too, you know.”

Hiding in one of the extra bathrooms, I put on a yellow blouse, the one that always makes me feel a little brighter, and my favorite jeans.

Now I just need to make it through one meal, name a charity for my mom’s new foundation, and then leave. At that point, no one can stop me, right? I’ve fulfilled my promise to Mom. Even Granny can’t argue with that. I take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and head to the large dining room.

When I get there, it’s loud, crowded, and as chaotic as I expected. The Bear Creek Lodge’s dining hall is massive, with exposed wooden beams stretching across the vaulted ceiling and a stone fireplace taking up one wall. Round tables covered in checkered tablecloths fill the space, accommodating at least forty people, with a buffet table stretching along the back and a makeshift stage tucked into the back side—ready for Granny’s announcements now and karaoke disasters later.

My uncles Bobby and Ray—Mom’s older brothers—are huddled together by the punch bowl, as different in appearance as two siblings could be. Uncle Bobby, with his thick goatee and vintage hairstyle he’s had since the seventies, stands next to hiswife, Aunt Tammy. She adjusts her loose bohemian blouse, looking every bit the piano teacher who secretly wished she’d become a folk singer instead.

“Lauren!” Bobby calls out. “Where’s this mystery man of yours Olivia mentioned to us?”

“What man?” I reply, pretending I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“That’s exactly what Rose would’ve said when she was dodging questions,” Uncle Ray laughs, his bald head gleaming under the fluorescent lights. He slings an arm around Aunt Karen, who’s wearing her Summerville Elementary School t-shirt advertising where she works.

“Don’t let Karen hear too much about this boyfriend,” Ray adds. “She’s already planning which Olympic events would best show off his athletic abilities.”

Aunt Karen playfully swats his hand away. “Someone has to organize the games unless you want a repeat of the Great Canoe Disaster of 2016.”

I squeeze past a group of kids racing toward the dessert table, trying to escape the boyfriend interrogation before it gets any more detailed. Olivia waves at me from her chair next to the kids, who are far more interested in using their silverware as drumsticks than actually eating their spaghetti.

I slide into my seat, dodging a runaway meatball from Camden’s plate.

“I’m glad you came tonight,” Olivia says as she plucks the meatball off the floor.

“Well, it’s hard to say no to Granny, but I’m not letting her talk me into participating in the Family Olympics.”

Jake’s fork freezes midway to his mouth, his eyes widening. “Wait—the Olympics aren’t mandatory? Granny told me all adults had to compete or face ‘dire family consequences.’”

I snort. “She would say that.”

“Well, it is sort of an unspoken requirement,” Olivia says, then turns to me. “You know, if you’d brought Tate this year,you’d actually have a shot at winning. Someone needs to give Bart a run for his money.”

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