"I believe this is the proper way to do it, Grandma," I said, delighted to see her face redden. The Judge started to laugh, but stopped the moment he saw the rage in Grandma Olivia's eyes.
"I know the way to do it. I wasn't ready yet," she replied.
"Your spoon sounded as if you were," I said. Although I was determined to see my plan through, I was beginning to think I might have to take things a bit slower.
She pressed her lips together and tilted her bowl properly, but she only took one more spoonful. When we had both finished, we left our spoons in the soup dish, moving almost simultaneously and looking like two competitors vying for a prize in mealtime etiquette. I saw the question marks in the Judge's eyes.
Trying not to grin, Loretta removed the dishes and returned with our appetizers, clams on the half shell.
"I assume you've visited with Sara and the children since your return," the Judge said. "How are they doing?"
"As best as can be expected. Cary and May really miss their Dad. And, of course, Aunt Sara is just so sad," I replied.
"Please give Sara my best when you see her again," he said. "I will have to do so
mething to help that poor family," he added, shaking his head sadly.
When Grandma Olivia began to eat her clams, the Judge and I dug into ours. The clams were served on cracked ice arranged around containers of cocktail sauce. We speared the clams with our shellfish forks and dipped them into the sauce and ate them in one bite.
"Sweet," the Judge said, patting his belly contentedly.
Our salads followed and then our entree, which tonight was lambchops. I almost choked on my meal when the Judge took one by the bone and gnawed at the meat. I could only imagine what Miss Burton would say to that! Grandma and I cut ours daintily and ate in small bites. When I was finished, I put my knife and fork on the plate and sat back. Loretta took my dishes and silverware, and then collected Grandma Olivia's. The Judge didn't relinquish his until every morsel was gone. Then he smacked his lips and remarked about the flavor of the meat.
"This is one of the best restaurants in
Provincetown," he quipped.
"And the price is right," Grandma Olivia muttered. The Judge roared with laughter and then sat forward, his elbows on the table as he clasped his hands.
"So, Melody, you're about to start your senior year, then," he said. "I bet you're excited about that."
"Yes, I am," I replied honestly.
"I'm thinking of Rosewood for her as a prep school," Grandma Olivia said, always anxious to put in her two cents' worth.
"Oh yes, a fine place. I think Congressman Dunlap's daughter is there this year, if I'm not mistaken." "You're not," Grandma Olivia said.
Loretta brought in our coffee and a lemon cake, which the Judge eyed covetously. When Grandma Olivia lifted her cup, she spilled some of her coffee into the saucer. It was as if a solo performer at a concert had hit a sour note. She froze for a moment and then continued, sipping her coffee and then putting the cup back, her attention shifting to the lemon cake.
"Shouldn't you replace that saucer, Grandma?" I asked her. She fired a look at me and sat back.
"Loretta," she called. Loretta appeared. "I'd like a new saucer, please."
"Right away, Mrs. Logan," Loretta said and hurried back to the kitchen. The Judge's smile widened. Grandma reached forward again for the lemon cake. She cut herself a piece and passed the cake plate to the Judge.
"I was told that the plate is to be passed counterclockwise, Grandma. Wasn't that correct?" I asked, trying to sound as innocent as I could manage, considering my knees were knocking. Her face turned so purple, so fast, that I was worried she might do some actual harm to herself. She took the cake plate back so quickly, her hand trembling so much the cake slipped to the edge. In an effort to balance it again, she overcompensated and the cake fell, splattering in front of the Judge, who pulled back to avoid being hit by the icing.
"Whoops," he said with a laugh. Loretta came charging toward the table.
Grandma Olivia, as red as a sunburnt tourist, jerked her chair away from the table to permit Loretta full access to the mess.
"No harm done," the Judge said. "I'll eat that anyway it looks, Loretta."
She smiled at him but shifted her eyes toward Grandma Olivia as if she felt she would somehow be held responsible.
"Nonsense," Grandma Olivia said. "Loretta, take that back into the kitchen and make it look presentable again."
"Yes, ma'am," she said, hurrying away with the smashed cake.