A Pack of Their Own novel · Chapter 31 of 32

Chapter 31: The Chair Not at the Head

Nana Bess's kitchen was built for eight people, and that night it held nineteen.

Callie sat on the counter.

Teddy sat on the floor with his back against the oven and a plate on his knees.

My brother stood at the sink, up to his elbows in suds.

Nana had handed him an apron, and he had not dared refuse.

The younger twins sat side by side at the table with their coats still on.

They stared at the food.

There was ham and a pile of biscuits, a pie with a lattice top, and a bowl of green beans.

"Eat," Nana Bess said. "You're skin and bone."

"Dad says we shouldn't take food from strangers," my little brother said.

"I'm your grandmother."

He looked at her. He looked at Grandpa, who was sitting in the corner with his hat on his knee.

"We were told he was dead," my little sister said.

"I was told the same about you," Grandpa said.

"Pie," said Nana, and cut them each a slice the size of a brick.

My little brother took a bite. His eyes went wide.

"Is it true you can lift a truck?" he asked me, with his mouth full.

"I've never tried."

"Try it tomorrow."

"I'll try it after you finish your beans."

He groaned, and Callie laughed so hard she nearly fell off the counter.

My sister, the older one, dried a plate and set it on the rack.

"They put us in the third SUV, too," she said quietly. "Mom wasn't there. Dad said it was the quietest one."

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