Chapter 12: Family Gathering and Full-Blown Eruption

It was a Saturday. The day before, Allen’s mother had called, saying it was her birthday and insisting our whole family come to dinner at Allen’s younger brother and sister-in-law’s place. It was about an hour’s drive from Allen’s place to his brother’s. We arrived a little after eleven, carrying gifts. The brother and sister-in-law opened the door.

“Brother, sister-in-law, you’re here, come in.” They looked at me a little strangely, but I didn’t think much of it. Not until we got inside and saw who was busy in the kitchen did I understand their odd expressions.

Allen was displeased and demanded of his mother, “Why did you invite her?”

Allen’s mother calmly scooped up a dish, and Samantha took it from her, the two of them emerging from the kitchen like old friends.