It was a humid, overcast afternoon in Bensonhurst. Despite forecasts for possible late afternoon thunderstorms, Olivia and Don washed the family cars. At one point, Don went inside to get a soda while Olivia gave Marge's car a final rinse.
Finishing, she was about to take a drink from the hose when she heard a car come to an abrupt stop in front of the house. Turning, she happily recognized her Uncle Theo's Monte Carlo. This meant that he, Aunt Nessie, Grandpa, and Grandma were back from their cruise. And that meant promised souvenirs, numerous photos, Aunt Nessie's colorful storytelling, and a fancy restaurant dinner. As the anticipant girl, after nuzzling and dropping the hose, ran to greet her relatives, the latter almost spilled quickly out of the vehicle.
"Olivia, oh, my poor little grandbaby!" Mrs. Hamilton tightly clasped the preteen in spite of her wet clothes.
"Easy, Mother Hamilton," cautioned Nessie, her hands on Olivia's shoulders, "you don't want to upset her---just let her know you're glad to see her!"
"I'm-I'm all right," Olivia managed with a nervous smile and misty eyes, "but I really would like to greet Grandpa." She had always liked her grandfather's steady and easygoing manner.
Meanwhile, Don and Marge stood behind the storm door and cautiously watched the Hamiltons interact with their daughter.
"Your mother doesn't want to let go of the 'foster child'" Don remarked in dry humor, as Mrs. Hamilton reluctantly "allowed" her husband to embrace the child.
"You know, they haven't even changed from their vacation clothes," Marge said, as her brother, wearing a vivid button up shirt with Ralph Lauren khaki slacks, raced across the lawn towards them.
"Hey, listen," he said in the living room a minute later, "what's been going on?! We got off the ship and get into our waiting livery car, turn on the radio, and suddenly there's a radio bulletin about a fugitive ex-NYPD officer found in Philly 'who was once a suspect in the disappearance of 11-year-old Olivia Cragen of Brooklyn, New York.! When Dad yelled 'That's my granddaughter', the driver gave us the details. Why didn't you contact us?!"
"There was nothing you could have done," Don explained gently. "In fact, there wasn't a whole lot that Marge and I could do. Other officers handled the actual search, and the New York State Police located her the next day." Don couldn't bring himself to mention Hollister at all.
Theo pursed his lips in thought for a few moments before nodding in agreement. "OK, I guess you're right. How's she been? Has the press been bothering you---not that I see any right now."
"Our number is unlisted," Marge replied, "and besides, the CO in charge of the case told the press to leave us in peace 'so the child involved can recover and get on with her life.' And the media's listened, thankfully. That's helped Olivia a lot."
"But what about this latest news about this ex-cop? Will that…set her back?" Theo asked, concerned.
"This was the first she's heard of the false lead in her case," Don reassured, "so she was more curious than anything else. We answered her questions, and that was the end of it."
"We had to go out anyway, so…" Marge was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the family.
"Marmee, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa want us to spend the weekend with them!" Olivia exclaimed. She looked at her parents imploringly.
Marge gave her husband her questioning look, awaiting his answer. On one hand, Olivia enjoyed visiting her grandparents' Long Island home, where she could swim in the pool, roast marshmallows either in the BBQ pit or the den fireplace, and help her grandmother prepare meals in her large, well-stocked kitchen. And today there would be conversation and mementos regarding their joint vacation with Theo and Nessie.
On the other hand, however, there would be drawbacks. Mrs. Hamilton always gave (however furtively) critical comment about her and/or Don's parenting. Furthermore, on shopping trips, she insisted on buying "the right" necessities for Olivia---as well as whatever toy or game that the girl would spot. And Mr. Hamilton always snuck five dollar bills into the child's luggage, which had been purchased during a spring break visit.
Don was aware of these problems, but he knew other things. First, his father-in-law was an avid golfer who enjoyed teeing off with his son-in-law at the local country club. Second, the Hamiltons had a billiard room, where Don would proudly watch Olivia show off the skills she had learned from Kenny's Uncle Lennie.
Finally, the police lieutenant knew that the Hamiltons had come to truly love 'the foster child' as their own. He had personally experienced their haughtiness early in his relationship with Marge and had earned Mr. Hamilton's respect---and Mrs. Hamilton's tolerance---through years of time and tide. It had taken a terminated dinner for them---mostly her---to accept her as a new member of their family. From that point on, they steadily formed a loving bond with her.
And she needed their support now.
"Why don't we meet you back at the house by, say, 6?" Don asked.
"Fine!" Mr. Hamilton smiled broadly.
"Can I go with them now, and you can bring my stuff later? Oh, please please please??" Olivia begged.
Her parents---along with the other adults---were laughing so hard that they could only nod their consent.
"Cool!" Olivia exclaimed, grinning. "Just excuse me while I change!" She raced upstairs to her room.
Now, that's more of the Olivia we know and love, Don thought, beaming at her exit.
Disclaimer: Monte Carlo is a trademark of General Motors.