Page 62 of The Sky in Summer
“Layla’s turn. This woman is NOT Jesse Two-Fingers! But you get an extra point for best fake name. This is Kerry Welch, a waitress from Oklahoma, who was one of the survivors of the sinking of the Andrea Doria, an ocean liner that sunk off the east coast of the United States in nineteen fifty-six.”
Van is looking at me like I am the smartest woman he knows. He is proud of my ability to tell a creative fib. And to tell the truth, so am I. Usually I am a terrible liar. Except for my recent big one. The lie I tell him and myself every day.
“You fooled me,” David says.
“Me too,” Tyler agrees.
“I saw through both your stories. It was the body language.”
Scarlett continues. “Now for Tyler. Paul Smith DID sire the most children of the twentieth century although that was NOT his name and he was NOT Chinese, but Thai. He had forty-three children by eleven different women.”
“That’s why his shirt is off. Saved time,” Van says.
“God bless you brother!” Gaston calls out. “You are a better man than I!”
“And last but certainly not least, is Aurora’s Betty White, aka Sister Ignacious. She WAS a beautiful actress known for one beach party movie! She entered the cloistered convent in nineteen sixty-seven, and still to this day is the Mother Superior!”
“You are such a great liar, Grandma. I never know when you are telling the truth!” Sam says.
“Thank you, honey.”
The boys and Van haven’t joined us yet around the fire pit. Wonder what they are up to? What are they talking about? It was surprising when Van volunteered him and the twins for kitchen duty. Aargon was with them at first, but he came out ten minutes ago with the wide tray loaded with the cobblers. I suppose that it is a good sign. Usually, they run from small talk, so that is not what keeps them.
“Have you told your family?” Aurora asks Parish.
“Not yet. But tomorrow for sure. They are going to lose their minds.”
“Are we supposed to eat these with our hands?” Gaston asks impatiently.
“Here they are,” Aurora answers.
The door opens and Van walks out, Tyler and David behind him. He carries the utensil basket and Tyler the napkins. They laugh over something and I see how relaxed they are around each other. Taking the steps down, they join us at the fire.
“Did you have to grow the peach tree?”
“Dad, it was literally ten minutes.”
“Just hand them here,” Gaston says, taking the basket.
“So, what did we miss?”
“They are already throwing around baby names,” Scarlett giggles.
“It is never too early to start thinking about it,” Aurora proclaims.
In my book, the matriarch is allowed proclamations.
“Yeah, otherwise you may end up with some freaky name that kids like to tease you about,” Aargon says. “Eventually the child will grow to like it. It only takes thirty years or so.”
The napkin Aurora throws lands on her son’s head and stays there covering one eye.
15
Van
I was never very good at it. And it doesn’t look like age or interest has changed anything. I need a wingman. Or four. When asked if they would go shopping with me for their mother’s birthday, Tyler was into it right away. There were questions in David’s eyes. He was sizing me up, looking for my real intentions. I recognize the look. I wore it for my sister’s men. The ones that came and went, and the two that stayed.
I ignored any doubt and sold the idea I was just useless at the birthday present buying job. I was selling truth but leaving out the part about how much I want it to be therightgift. I think having Teddy and Sam come along too sealed the deal. My request was wrapped up inside the suggestion we stop at Panda Express for lunch afterwards. I figured my nephew’s favorite would probably attract Layla’s boys too. I was dangling a sweet and sour carrot.
