Chapter 9: Surprises

With clean hair spiking in every direction, Drew wandered out to the living room wearing shorts and a sleeveless white cotton undershirt.

“What’s for dinner, Leah?”

She was relaxed and reading in the big recliner. She looked up, ran her eyes over him with a smile, and said, “Hellaphino.”

“You don’t know? Who’s making dinner?”

“The boys are. They said, and I quote, ‘In self-defense, we’re making some real food to eat.’ I guess my canned tuna casserole didn’t go over well.”

Exercising self-control, Drew avoided making any comments.

“Guess I’ll see if they’re ready.”

“We are; come eat.”

Tim had come out carrying a basket of rolls and set it on the dining table with the tub of soft butter. Drew raised an eyebrow and turned towards the hallway.

“Val! Come eat. Nia, TV off.”

They had one month remaining on their Disney subscription. He thought maybe he could renew it as Nia’s birthday was coming soon.

At the table, they watched as Ted brought out a covered skillet and set it on a steel trivet (rack). Already on the table with the rolls was a bowl of peas and carrots.

Leah looked around the table gratefully. They did it!

Val couldn’t contain herself.

“You let the BOYS cook? We’re all gonna die!”

“Shut up, Val,” hissed Leah.

“Shut up, Val,” growled Andrew.

“You’re mean!” protested Nia.

“Hmph!”

Val slumped backwards, arms folded.

With his hand covered, Ted lifted the hot lid and placed it on a folded dish towel.

Drew’s nostrils flared. The aroma surprised him, it was familiar. And good!

“Oh my God, Ted, you made this?”

“No, I just carried it because it’s heavy. TIM made it.”

“TIM made it? Tim, really?”

“Yes. Don’t go crazy. I asked Ted to fetch Mom’s recipe box from the upper shelf. She called this ‘Hamburger Helper,’ it’s just macaroni, cheese sauce, and ground beef. It wasn’t too hard.”

Ted looked around, amused, at his stunned family.

“Look at them. It’s like I invented cold fusion or something.”

“I call firsts!” cried Nia.

Ted began dishing portions with a big slotted spoon.

Then there were two plates left next to Ted. His eyes settled on his sister. Without rancor, he simply asked.

“Val?”

“I’m sorry. OK? Jeez!”

Continuing, but in stilted tones, “Theodore, may I please have a portion of tonight’s entrée? Thank you. Timothy, would you be so kind as to pass the vegetables?”

“I would be my pleasure, Miss Valerie.”

Nia eyes were huge, jumping between them. Then she started giggling. Then laughing. It got so bad, she snorted, and that was enough to destroy everybody.

“I love my family,” thought Leah, not for the first time.

Andrew decided to put off to some other day his plan to reprimand his brothers for inaccurate urination.

On Friday nights, Nia was allowed to stay up late, a long-standing practice. At 10:30, she joined her sister in the girls’ bedroom, and they got into their beds.

“Good night, Miss Valerie,” she cooed.

“Shut up, Nia!”