"Hi Mr. P.," said the little blonde girl with bright blue eyes standing in the front doorway of the Parsons' house. It was 10:30 am on the day of Cady's birthday party, and Julia Martin was the first guest to arrive. She was Cady's precocious best friend and next door neighbor. She wore a fine-checkered tan and white shirt with blue jeans and white canvas shoes.
"Hi, Julia," Roger replied. "C'mon in," he said, motioning with one hand to the living room.
"Thanks Mr. P!" Julia replied.
"How's St. Vincent's?" Roger asked.
"Uh… don't know yet," she replied. "Where's C.J.?"
Roger turned toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms. "Cady, Julia is here!"
Cady came running at top speed out of her bedroom and into Julia's arms. They hugged each other hard enough to almost knock the both of them over.
"Why don't you two girls go outside to the backyard. More people should be here soon," Roger said.
"Okay, Mr. P," Julia said with her arm around Cady's shoulders. The two took his instruction and passed through the kitchen where Cynthia was.
"Hi Julia," Cynthia said.
"Hi Dr. P," Julia replied. "It sure smells good in here." Julia and Cady kept moving, not leaving Cynthia any time to respond.
Cynthia remarked to no one, "Thanks?" She smiled to herself, shook her head, and went back to work.
"That girl is 5 going on 25," Roger said after the girls were in the backyard.
"I think it's sweet," Cynthia replied.
"I didn't say it wasn't. I just worry for their teenage years," he replied.
"Fathers have to worry about daughters. It comes with the territory," Cynthia said. Roger started licking the icing spoon. Then there was another knock on the door. He put the spoon down.
"Wait a minute," Cynthia said to him and took a cloth to the corner of his mouth. "Okay, now you can answer the door," she said with a wink.
Once at the front door, he opened it. He announced loudly, "Hey Cindy, someone let out the grandparent convention. They're all here." Cynthia walked out to greet everyone, still wearing her apron. "Hi Mom and Dad….Peter and Joanne."
Peter Parsons, a distinguished man in his early sixties, wore a white tennis shirt with navy slacks and loafers and Roger's mother was dressed conservatively in a skirt and blouse, and more for a formal occasion than a child's birthday party. Deborah Glass, a formidable woman with a single grey streak in her mostly dark hair by her left temple, wore a cream-colored button-down shirt with dark brown, pleated slacks and casual brown shoes. Jacob Glass, wearing his signature round glasses, had salt-and-pepper hair with a bald spot in the back and wore brown corduroy slacks, black loafers, and a tan, plaid, short-sleeve, button-down shirt.
Joanne listlessly hugged Roger and pecked him on the cheek. "Hi son," she said. His father gave him a hearty handshake, followed by a gentle punch to the shoulder.
"Hi Mom….Dad. Glad you could make it. How was the drive from Dallas?" Roger asked.
"Not bad," Peter said. "We drove in yesterday and spent the night in a hotel."
"I wish I would have known. You could have spent the night here instead," Roger replied.
"We didn't want to bother you. We knew you'd be preparing for Cady's special day," Joanne replied.
"It would have been no trouble," Roger reassured.
"Where is my precious little m'al'k?" Jacob Glass asked.
Cynthia hugged her mother and then her father, and said, "She's out back with her friend, Julia."
Deborah Glass clapped her hands quietly, and said to Cynthia, "I can't wait to see her. I swear, every time we come here, she looks more and more like you."
"Some say so," Cynthia replied, and her mother pinched Cynthia's cheeks and gave her a hug.
Cynthia hugged her father. "Great to see you, Dad."
"You too, tochter," he replied, hugging her back.
The adults stood in the living room catching up, and there was another knock at the door. Cynthia answered it this time. When she opened the door, there were two boys, both with sandy hair, t-shirts, and corduroy pants. One rested his elbow on the shoulder of the other.
"Oh, hi boys. C'mon in," Cynthia said. She turned to the adults. She put one hand on one boy's head, "Everyone, this is Charlie DeWitt." She put her hand on the other boy's head. "And this is Steven Williams. They both live on our street." She continued and gestured to the corresponding adults in the room, "Boys, you know Mr. Parsons, of course. These are his parents Peter and Joanne, and these are my parents, Deborah and Jacob."
Deborah replied for everyone, "Nice to meet you boys." The boys looked wide-eyed at the assembly of adults and didn't respond.
"Boys, Cady and Julia are out back. Feel free to join them," Cynthia said, sensing their discomfort.
"Thanks, Dr. Parsons," Charlie said. And the boys headed out back through the kitchen. Less than a minute later, the excited screams of four five year-olds were heard through the walls of the house.
"The boys go to Cady's elementary school. Julia goes to St. Vincent de Paul Parish School," Cynthia remarked.
"Ah yes, a Catholic school," Jacob said. "She's bound to get an excellent education there."
"Probably Dad, but we're not going to send Cady to a religious school, so don't even get started," Cynthia replied.
"Okay, okay," Jacob relented quickly.
"I think that's your signal to get the presents out of the car, Jacob," Deborah said.
"That's a good idea," Jacob replied.
"I think I'll join you, Jacob," Peter offered. The two grandfathers left the house, leaving Cady's grandmothers, Roger, and Cynthia.
"So, Mom, what have you been doing lately?" Roger asked.
"Keeping the house clean, and some occasional reading. Not much to do since you kids left home," Joanne said with a sigh.
Roger rubbed his beard nervously. "I suppose we could visit more. Now that I have the private practice, I have some flexibility."
"That would be nice, son," Joanne said.
"Mom, what have you been up to?" Cynthia asked.
"Well, since it's not an election year for President, I've been working on some local issues and going down to the Rubinstein Community Center. I think I mentioned to you last time on the phone that I'm starting to play Bridge and I've convinced your father to join me," Deborah replied.
"I think I remember that. Are you getting any better?" Cynthia asked.
"Yes. I suppose. I'm too new at it to tell," Deborah replied. "Do you play Bridge, Joanne?"
"No," Joanne said. The other three waited briefly in awkward silence, but Joanne did not elaborate.
Jacob came to the door with presents in his hands and announced, "Look who we found…." He walked through the door followed by Peter, then Cynthia's brother Robert, his wife Janice, and Cady's cousin Dorothy who was about three months younger than Cady. Jacob and Peter placed the gifts on the coffee table.
Robert hugged Cynthia and said, "Hi Sis." Robert had dark hair and was as handsome as Cynthia was beautiful. His wife Janice had sandy hair that she wore in a French braid. Both were dressed in some of the latest casual fashions and their daughter Dorothy had dark brown hair in a ponytail and wore a light green dress with short sleeves.
Cynthia rubbed Robert's head playfully. "Hi Bob," she said. Cynthia hugged Janice and then scooped up Dorothy in her arms. "And how are you Dorothy?"
"Hi Aunt Cindy," Dorothy said.
"You're going to be five soon, yourself, aren't you Dorothy?" Cynthia asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Well, how old are you now, then?" Cynthia quizzed her.
Dorothy held out her four fingers on her right hand and held the thumb down with her other hand, and said, "This many," and showed her gesture to all the adults present.
"That's very good, Dorothy," Cynthia said, and hugged her tight. She put her down. "Cady's out back with Julia and two of her other friends. Go ahead and join them," she said. Dorothy gave a big smile and ran out of the room to the back door.
"Look at the time," Roger said. "I better get going to pick up the pizza."
"Oh, you're right," Cynthia said, looking at the living room clock.
"I'll join you, if that's alright," Peter said.
"Sure, Dad. I'm going to need an extra pair of hands," Roger said. The two men left to pick up lunch for the party.
"C'mon and look at the cake," Cynthia said to the remaining adults. They all filed into the kitchen.
"That's the biggest German Chocolate Cake I've ever seen," Deborah remarked.
"I should say so," Joanne said with what seemed to be a mix of amazement and irritation. Cynthia ignored her tone.
"It looks great, Cynthia. A doctor and a baker….," Janice said.
"Well, one has to have range," Cynthia quipped.
Deborah squeezed her shoulder. "You made my favorite cake."
"That was Cady's idea," Cynthia replied. "Come to think of it, she hasn't greeted her guests yet. Let's all go outside."
The adults walked out into the backyard where Cady, Julia, Dorothy, and the boys were squealing with pleasure, and playing a game of tag.
"Cady!" Cynthia called. "Come greet your family!"
Cady stopped what she was doing, abruptly. "Mawmaw! Gramma! Poppa!" She ran to Deborah first, and then Joanne, both taking turns hugging her tightly. She hugged Jacob next and turned to hug her Aunt Janice, who also hugged her in return.
"Hi kiddo," her Uncle said and Cady hugged him.
"Where's Grampa?" Cady asked.
"He went to get pizza with your father," Cynthia replied.
All of the children, including Cady, screamed in unison, "Pizza!" The adults smiled at each other in reaction.
"I think I'll go inside and get all of the supplies for the place settings ready," Cynthia said.
"Do you need any help, Cynthia?" asked Deborah.
"No, Mom. Why don't you all stay out here and watch the kids and catch up."
"Okay, dear," Deborah said. "Joanne, why don't you and I sit over here with Jacob, and let Robert and Janice watch the kids. We've already done our fair share of that, right?" she said as she patted Joanne on the back. Cynthia left the adults and went into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, there was another knock at the door. Cynthia went to answer it. She opened it, and standing there was the neighborhood girl, Betty Lou Montgomery, clinging to her mother's leg.
"Hi Cynthia," Gladys Montgomery said. She bent down and tried to pry Betty Lou away from her. "Now, Betty Lou, let go of my leg." She looked up and laughed nervously at Cynthia. She reassured Betty Lou, "You're going to have fun."
Cynthia squatted down to be on Betty Lou's level and held out her hand. "We're going to have LOTS of fun. There's going to be pizza, games, cake, and ice cream. Cady, Julia, Steven and Charlie are here. Would you like me to take you to see the others?"
Betty Lou nodded her head reticently and took Cynthia's hand. Gladys mouthed the word 'thanks' to Cynthia who nodded back at her.
"Well, I'll see you in a few hours," Gladys said, and closed the Parsons' door herself, on the way out.
"C'mon, Betty Lou," Cynthia said, and escorted her to the backyard. When she arrived, Robert had joined the kids in a game of Red Light/Green Light while Janice laughed uproariously. Jacob, Deborah, and Joanne were sitting at one of the picnic tables talking.
"Everyone, Betty Lou is here," Cynthia said, and Betty Lou immediately hid behind one of her legs. "It's okay, Betty Lou. Why don't you join the kids over there," she said, gesturing to the others.
Janice waved her over, "Yeah, Betty Lou, jump right in!" Betty Lou joined the kids and Robert in the game while Janice called out which light was "on."
The kids played for a while longer. Betty Lou kept being sent back to "Start" and Robert was being overly competitive so he could grab his wife at the end of the line. Most of the kids found his antics humorous, but Betty Lou cried, because she was losing.
Peter and Roger returned after a few more minutes and walked around the side of the house, each carrying a stack of boxed pizzas. Roger called out, "Hey everyone! The pizzas are here!"
The kids all stopped their game and jumped up and down clapping and screaming. "I'll go inside and bring out all of the place settings," Cynthia said, as Roger and Peter put the pizzas down on one of the picnic tables.
"I'll help you," Deborah said, leaving Jacob with Joanne. Cynthia and Deborah went inside, and while she was stacking plates and cups, and Deborah was getting the plastic cutlery ready, there was a knock at the door.
"Do you want me to get it, honey?" asked Deborah.
"No Mom. I'll get it. I'll be right back," Cynthia replied.
Cynthia opened the door and a dark-haired, casually dressed, Bill Houston stood there with his son, Mattlock. Mattlock had light brown hair and was wearing a brown t-shirt and jeans and a Roy Rogers double holster, complete with cap guns.
"Hello, Cynthia," Bill said with his hand on one of Mattlock's shoulders. Mattlock stood there confidently with his hands on his hips.
"Hi, Bill. Hi, Mattlock. C'mon in," she replied. "Where'd you get those?" she asked, pointing at the guns.
Mattlock quickly withdrew both guns and aimed them at the ceiling and pulled both triggers, not realizing there was a cap in one of them. The gun fired a sharp pop, much to his and Bill's surprise. Deborah stuck her head out of the kitchen to see if all was alright.
"Oh, goodness!" Cynthia exclaimed with her hand on her chest.
Sounding cross, Bill said, "Son, give me that holster and guns. I told you about firing those inside. I'm going to put them in the car."
"I'm sorry, Daddy," Mattlock said with a worried expression. Bill held out his hand to receive the holster and guns. Deborah went back into the kitchen.
Cynthia stood by silently while Mattlock unbuckled his holster with a big frown on his face.
"Now tell Dr. Parsons that you're sorry for startling her," Bill said.
"I'm sorry," Mattlock said, and he looked down at his feet.
"It's okay, Mattlock," Cynthia said. "Would you like to come meet the other children?"
Mattlock nodded 'yes' slowly. Bill said, "Go ahead, son. I'm going to take these out to the car now."
"Just walk around the house to the backyard when you're done, Bill," Cynthia said. Cynthia walked Mattlock to the kitchen where Deborah had finished getting everything ready.
"Mom, this is Mattlock Houston," Cynthia said.
Deborah bent over and shook his tiny hand. "Nice to meet you, Mattlock. Would you like to help us carry all of this out?"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied.
"Ma'am? So polite," an impressed Deborah said. She handed him a stack of paper plates.
"Mom, can you carry this pitcher of sweet tea and the utensils while I get the pitchers of Kool-Aid for the kids?" Cynthia asked.
"Not a problem, dear," Deborah said. "Do you think you can carry these napkins too, Mattlock?"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied and took the napkins.
All three of them walked outside where the kids were champing at the bit to eat. The three walked the place setting supplies to the same table with the pizza.
Cynthia announced, "Everyone, this is Mattlock Houston. Kids, sit down at that table. Go ahead, Mattlock," she said pushing him gently toward the others. All of the kids filed to the kid table.
"I'll fill all the cups with ice," Roger offered.
"I'll serve up the pizza," Jacob said.
"Okay, there's grape and orange Kool-Aid, kids. Who wants grape Kool-Aid?" Cynthia asked. Four hands went up. The other three were getting orange by default. Cynthia started pouring the drinks. Bill rounded the house to the backyard.
"Hi Bill," Roger said enthusiastically. "Everyone, this is Mattlock's father, Bill. Bill Houston." Bill waved to everyone.
"Welcome, Bill," Jacob said, while slicing the pizzas. "Come over and sit here with the big kids." Bill smiled and joined the adults.
Cynthia brought drinks to the kids' table. "Mattlock, this is the birthday girl, my daughter, Cady," she said, putting her hand on Cady's head. Mattlock smiled shyly at Cady, revealing the deep dimple in his left cheek. She cautiously smiled back.
Julia put her arm around Cady's shoulders. "You can call her C.J. That's what I call her. We're best friends," Julia enthused.
"Okay," Mattlock replied.
Julia continued, "And this is Charlie and Steven, and Betty Lou, and Dorothy. She's C.J.'s cousin."
"I'm Mattlock," he replied.
"I know, silly. We heard," Julia replied and giggled.
"Oh," he said and paused. "Well, you can call me Matt."
"Okay, Matt," Julia replied.
Once all the food and drinks were out, there was steady chatter among all in attendance. The children socialized along gendered lines. The adults could finally sit down and talk to each other – that is, until the games began.