Getting Back to Normal by Marilyn Levinson Page B

easy.”
    “Make the spaghetti-cheese omelet,” Robby says.
    I laugh. “That’s easy enough.”
    When it’s our turn, the three of us unload our stuff onto the conveyer belt. Outside, we put the packages into the trunk. We get into the car. Daddy turns on the ignition and asks Robby and me, “All right, you guys, how many minutes to the cottage?”
    “Five!” I shout.
    “Seven!” says Robby.
    “And we’re off!” Daddy says, marking the time.
    “Go faster!” I order.
    “No, slower,” Robby demands.
    Daddy laughs and says he’ll drive at the proper speed. We turn onto the MG road, drive past the empty booth at the entrance. When we reach the cottage, Daddy stops the car and looks at his watch. “Six and a half minutes,” he declares.
    “I win!” Robby shouts. “I don’t have to help tonight in the kitchen!”
    “What a gift for half a minute,” I complain. But I’m grinning in the dark. For the first time since Mom died, the three of us have done something normal.
    *
    “The spaghetti-cheese omelet tastes different,” Robby says as he eats the last bit on his plate.
    “I put oregano in it,” I say.
    “Leave it out next time,” Robby orders. “But give me some more.”
    “Me, too, please,” Daddy says. “More salad, anyone?”
    I yawn as I carry the pot of spaghetti-cheese omelet to the table. Daddy notices. “You’re tired, Vannie. I’ll clean up.”
    “Thanks, Daddy.” When I pass the back of his chair I hug his neck with my free hand.
    “Hey, don’t spill any of that on me,” he complains.
    This strikes Robby as real funny. “Put spaghetti-cheese omelet on Daddy’s head!” he shouts again and again.
    “Stop that, Robert, this instant!” Daddy yells.
    I glare at both of them. The good cheer of our kitchen has vanished as quickly as Archie’s disappearing acts. We finish our dinner in silence.
    I am tired, I realize as I go up to my room. Too tired to call Tammy and make up with her. I’ll fix things up with her tomorrow, I decide. First thing, as soon as I get to school. But homework is something else. I’ve no choice but to finish my math problems and read my social studies assignment.
    When I’m done, I pack my knapsack then change into my pajamas and bathrobe. I go downstairs to use the bathroom. All is quiet down there, except for Robby’s little-boy snores. I find Daddy frowning at some papers on his desk.
    “Night, Daddy.” I kiss his cheek.
    He turns to me. “Vannie, I was thinking. Mayda’s been such a help to us, it would be nice if we invited her out to dinner—to show our appreciation.”
    My heart pounds against my ribs. “Isn’t that like overkill? I mean, she’s coming for dinner Wednesday night.”
    “That’s the least we can do, since she’s taking you shopping. And let’s not forget, we’re paying next to nothing for this cottage.”
    “It’s worth next to nothing.”
    His eyes narrow. “Young lady, your snide remarks are not appreciated.”
    I stare down at the worn carpet.
    Daddy clears his throat. “I want to take the four of us out to dinner somewhere nice. Do you think Mayda would like that?”
    I shrug. “Sure, why not? She eats out all the time.”
    “While you’re shopping tomorrow night, please ask her if she’s free to come out with us this weekend.”
    I consider telling him that he should do the asking, since he’ll see her tomorrow the same as me. But he looks so uncomfortable, I don’t have the heart. “Okay. Good night.”
    “Night, Vannie.” Daddy turns back to the papers that are making him frown and I go upstairs to my bedroom.

CHAPTER TWELVE
    I’m wide awake now and too strung out to fall asleep. I tell myself Daddy can’t possibly think about Mayda that way. She’s not half as pretty as Mom was. And besides, if he wanted to take her out on a date, he wouldn’t ask me to make the arrangements and drag Robby and me along.
    I go to the window to draw the curtains, but instead I stare out into the darkness.