Page 88 of A Little Twist
“Not me.” My younger brother slaps me on the shoulder. “I might’ve been a player, but I always wrapped it.” He leans closer to Jessica. “Not that I’d trade anything for that little girl. She keeps us all on our toes.” Straightening, he looks around. “Where is she anyway?”
“I’m not sure.” I answer. “She’s with Cass somewhere, I think?”
That gets me a pointed look from Aiden, who puts a platter of hamburgers and hot dogs in the center of the table.
Britt hops up and heads for the house. “Be right back with all the fixins!”
“What brought you to Eureka, Jess?” Aiden asks. “We’re nowhere near as exciting as Africa.”
“Maybe not.” Jessica exhales deeply. “But I don’t want to bore you with my story.”
“Nonsense.” Edna smiles. “We’re all family here. We’re very interested in what brought you to Eureka, especially since it concerns Patricia’s granddaughter.”
Also known as my daughter, and speaking of which, I stand and scan the yard for her or Cass. They pretty much disappeared as soon as we got here, and I’d hoped to talk to Cass with everyone occupied. She’s been distant all afternoon, and I’m sure she’s wondering what’s going on. I’d like to tell her I’m still figuring out what’s going on myself.
“I guess I’m getting older.” Jessica studies her thumbnail. “The world is changing. My jobs are getting harder to come by, and with all that’s happened in the last few years, I felt like I needed to know my daughter.”
“So you’re planning to stay in Eureka?” Adam leans back, studying her.
She blinks up to him, shrugging. “I guess we’ll find out.”
His eyes twitch, and he nods. I can tell he doesn’t like that answer any more than I do. It’s the main reason I’m not telling Pinky this woman is her mother.
Not yet, anyway.
“Ready to eat?” Britt calls out, returning with a platter of buns and a big bowl of potato salad.
Behind her, Cass follows with giant squeeze-bottles of mustard and ketchup. She’s also holding my daughter on her hip, and Pinky has her head on Cass’s shoulder. She’s carrying a plastic bottle of mayo, and her little lips are pulled down like she’s upset.
I’m on my feet at once, going to where they are. “Everything okay?” My voice is quiet, and the sadness in Cass’s pretty eyes is a punch to the gut. “What’s wrong?”
Her lips press into a sad smile, and she passes the mustard and ketchup to me. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s eat.”
I take the mayo from Penelope, and she puts her now-empty hand around Cass’s neck, snuggling closer to her.
Cass slides her hand up and down my daughter’s back. “Come on, now. It’s time to eat.”
“I’m not hungry.” Pinky’s pouty tone has me concerned, but I carry the condiments to where everyone is waiting.
We prepare hamburgers for the adults, hot dogs for the kids, potato salad and chips for all, and the remainder of the meal is spent discussing the upcoming school year, Adam’s volunteer work, and the informal baseball team.
The boys are in the yard playing with Britt’s bloodhound, and my eyes keep drifting to where Pinky has crawled into Cass’s lap. The most interesting person at the table (to me), rocks my daughter gently, smoothing her hand up and down her arm. It’s her left hand, and I’m relieved to see my ring is still on her finger.
When it feels like enough time has passed, I stand. “I don’t know about you people, but I have to work for a living.”
That gets me the response I expect from everyone—playful groans andwhatevers.
“Are y’all coming to the movie in the square Saturday?” Britt is on her feet beside her friend, tickling Pinky’s side. “It’sFinding Nemo!”
Pinky nods her head, which is pressed against Cass’s shoulder, and Cass gives her friend a kiss.
“I’ll text you,” I hear her say softly, and my stomach tightens.
“Is she sick?” Jessica’s brows pull together like she’s trying to read a foreign language. “She was so active at the ballpark today.”
“She’s probably exhausted.” My voice is even, and I go to where Cass is holding her. “I can take her if she’s getting heavy.”
“It’s okay.” Cass blinks up at me and smiles briefly.