The Snow Globe Read Online Free Page B

speaking of growing, had Tara and Corey settled on a name for the baby yet? Say, was this a new recipe for candied yams?
    â€œOh, I just haven’t made it in a while,” said Mom.
    â€œWas it in the recipe book you gave me when we got married?” asked Tara.
    â€œI think so,” said Mom. “If not, let me know and I’ll e-mail it to you.”
    â€œI want it, too,” put in Gwinnie.
    â€œDon’t worry. You’ll get it, along with all the other family recipes, when you get married,” Mom said absently, and then looked like she wished she could swallow her tongue.
    An awkward silence landed on the table and camped there. Eyes shot this way and that, everywhere but Kiley’s direction. She was aware of Gwinnie regarding her nervously and Jeremy once again trying to loosen that invisible tie, and suddenly felt a lump in her throat the size of a golf ball, but she gamely scooped up a forkful of mashed potatoes and oh-so-calmly inserted them in her mouth.
    Grandma came to the rescue. “Recipes might make a nice Christmas present for both our girls. I’ve been thinking it’s time I parted with the one for my Christmas cake.”
    â€œI’d love to have that,” Tara said eagerly, obviously happy to help steer the conversation in a safer direction.
    Kiley kept her eyes on her mashed potatoes.
    After dinner the men cleared the table and vanished into thekitchen to wash dishes, while the women lingered over their coffee. Kiley wished she didn’t have to linger. Once the kitchen was clean the gang would be off to work up an appetite for pie by playing football. She had no appetite, for either pie or football. How soon till she could leave?
    Wait a minute, she thought. Why should you be the one to leave? The ones to go should be Gwinnie and Jeremy. They’re the problem, not you . She looked across the table to see Gwinnie gnawing her lower lip and watching her, hoping for absolution.
    She turned her head.
    A few moments later, Corey was leading the pack from the kitchen. He clapped his hands together and rubbed them eagerly. “Okay, who’s ready to get their ass kicked?”
    â€œBy who?” retorted Zach, who was now right behind his cousin.
    Corey loomed over him. “By me, dude.” He cocked his head, motioning for Kiley to follow. “Come on, Road Runner. You’re on my team.”
    Now Kiley could see Jeremy smiling at Gwinnie. “Come on, Gwin,” he said.
    She shot a look in Kiley’s direction. “I don’t want to.”
    â€œOh, no,” said Zach, hauling her up. “Everybody plays, even sissy girls.”
    â€œI want to play,” piped Beau.
    â€œAnother couple of years, bud,” his father said, rumpling his hair.
    â€œBut I want to play, too,” he whined.
    â€œMe, too,” put in his twin.
    â€œAw, let ’em,” said Zach. “Like you said, everybody plays.”
    â€œOkay, then. But don’t trample ’em,” Corey added, pointing a warning finger at Zach.
    Tara had come out in time to hear the tail end of the discussion and quickly vetoed her husband’s decision. “Some games are for grown-ups and bigger boys. When you’re a little bigger you can go,” she told the boys firmly. “Anyway, Grandpa and Uncle Al need you two to stay here and play with them so they won’t get bored.”
    â€œWe’re going to play some Wii bowling,” added Dad, and that was all it took to change the twins’ minds about football.
    â€œMaybe I’ll stay and play, too,” said Kiley. Then she wouldn’t have to watch Jeremy stealing kisses and hugging Gwinnie, like he used to do with her.
    â€œOh, no,” said Corey, pulling her away from the table. “You’re coming, too. Tara can’t play this year, Dad’s back is trashed, and Uncle Al’s knee hurts. If you don’t come we won’t have enough people.”
    It was