Only the Dog Knew
When
Grandma Essie eloped with Wally Combs, everyone in the family was shocked,
and nobody thought it was a good idea. Except maybe Monty.
The old black Lab had mourned Grandpa Ed for three years. Day after day, month after month, Monty sprawled out by the front door, his graying muzzle resting on his paws. His dark eyes seemed to expect his master to magically appear. But of course Grandpa Ed couldn’t appear.
Monty might have stayed by the door forever, refusing to eat or move, if Grandma Essie and Abby hadn’t coaxed him with food and walks to the park.
So even though Abby was only eight and nobody in the family paid much attention to her opinion, she knew that the old dog was happy when Grandma Essie married Wally Combs. Monty sat up and wagged his tail around Wally, and he thumped his foot when Wally scratched his tummy.
Abby decided that Grandma Essie’s marriage to Wally was a good thing.
From everyone’s whispers, though, Abby knew that her family didn’t agree.
“Essie and Wally have nothing in common,” Aunt Lynn said. “He doesn’t play golf or canasta.”
Abby’s mother shook her head. “And he goes to that little church on Saturdays. She goes to Mass on Sundays. How will that work?”
Essie’s sister, Auntie Lee, was also upset. “Why did they elope? Why didn’t they have a nice wedding and invite us?”
Only Cousin
Becky, who was almost fourteen, said what was on all their minds. “Now
that Grandma Essie is a Combs, what will happen to our family traditions?
What about us?”
Abby had to admit she worried about that, too. During the next few weeks, as she visited Grandma after school each day, the house changed.
Grandpa Ed’s old recliner disappeared, replaced with a rocking chair. Then the hunting picture over the fireplace was gone, and two paintings of trees took its place. Bowling trophies appeared on the bookshelves. And framed pictures of Wally’s family nestled among photos of Grandma Essie’s family.
But even though things changed, the feelings felt the same. Even better, actually. Grandma Essie hummed to the radio. She laughed when Wally waltzed her around the kitchen. And Monty’s tail swished the floor as he watched.
Then came the invitation to “The Family Dinner.” All of Abby’s family would be there, along with Wally’s son, Wayne, his wife, Bonnie, and their boys, Mark and David—everyone together for the first time.
“Apple pie isn’t good enough now. Bonnie is bringing cherry pie, too.” The tone of Abby’s mother’s voice and the wringing of Aunt Lynn’s hands told Abby it was going to be a tense meal.
On the day of the big dinner, Abby showed up after school as usual. Grandma sliced and chopped in the kitchen. Delicious smells bubbled on the stove. Wally vacuumed, waving a cheery greeting as Abby clamped Monty’s leash onto his collar.
Monty happily padded to the park, his tail waving from side to side. The old dog almost pranced in the sunshine. Monty’s enthusiasm filled Abby with hope that the dinner would be a success.
But back at the house, her hopes sank. Now that there were more people, the dining-room table was too small. A folding table was set up in the living room, where Wally spread a linen cloth and arranged folding chairs. That meant one thing: there would have to be a new family tradition—a children’s table. Abby’s heart sank in disappointment.
That night, everyone seemed nervous. People shook hands awkwardly, saying polite things but keeping their distance. Finally it was time to eat.
Grandma
Essie and Wally stood together, holding a silver bowl and smiling. “Tonight
is our first family dinner,” Grandma said, “bringing together all the
people we love most.”
Wally lifted the bowl. “Essie and I combined many of our family traditions. We also created a new one. Everyone will draw from the silver bowl. The stickers in the bowl match the stickers on the dinner napkins. That’s the seating arrangement.”
It became great fun. Becky’s balloon sticker matched the napkin at the head of the dining-room table. Abby’s kitten sticker seated her at the card table, across from her “new cousin” David, who sneaked scraps to Monty under the table and made Abby giggle. Auntie Lee sat with them, too, agreeing to try bowling with Wally if he would try canasta.
At the dining-room table, Grandma swapped recipes
with Bonnie. Becky and Mark argued that rap was real music, even though
the adults rolled their eyes and disagreed.
For dessert, everyone ate combinations of apple and cherry pie. All
the men had seconds.
Monty wandered between the tables, happy to have
double the pats and ear rubs.
When Grandma Essie and Wally Combs eloped, people were surprised, but
the whole family knew it was a good match.
That’s what they say now, but Abby knows that only Monty believed it from the beginning.
