“No.” Kate sighed. “It’s complicated, but he’s just a real estate client. You didn’t see anything. This never happened. I need your solemn promise, Nana.”
“Sure, okay, Katie,” Nana said. They all walked together to the back deck.
“Mom, Fred says you told him he was going to die in a few weeks,” Edward said to Nana. “Please tell me that’s not true.”
“Tell you he’s not dying? Or tell you I didn’t tell him he was dying?”
Edward stared at her.
“The cards don’t lie, son. I’m sorry if he’s taking it hard.”
Adam leaned in to whisper to Kate, “Does she really know how to read fortunes?”
“No,” Kate whispered back. “Stay away from her.”
Edward shook his head. “Where did you even get those cards?”
“Off the TV. From the QVC.”
“You told me you didn’t have a credit card,” he said.
“I don’t. I used yours. Sophie lent it to me.”
Sophie gasped. “You said it was an emergency!”
Nana shrugged, but offered no excuses. Kate and her sisters snickered behind their hands.
“I feel like I should sing the national anthem for our guests,” Nana said.
“That isreallynot necessary, Mom,” Edward said, shaking his head.
“Katie, you love to sing. Come on and sing with me.” Nana tugged on Kate’s arm.
“Oh, no. Sorry, Nana.”
Nana stopped and looked Kate in the eye. “Maybe it will help me forget what I saw in the hallway.”
They stared at each other for a long five seconds, eyes narrowed in a battle of wills. Finally, Kate broke with a huff. “Lead the way.” They walked to the gazebo, which Nana apparently intended to use as a stage.
As soon as they were out of earshot, the rest of the Parker family burst into debate.
“Oh, dear,” Sophie said. “One of these days, wehaveto convince her.”
“We should, but let’s not,” Lizzie said. “It would crush her, and more importantly, we’d miss out on a good laugh.”
“You are so naughty,” Lucy said, batting at her sister.
“It’s funny for about a half a second,” Edward said. “After that, it’s just painful.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Adam asked.
“You’ll see,” Sophie said. “Don’t suppose you brought any earplugs?”
Just then, Nana and Kate started into the worst, most horribly off-key version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” he’d ever heard. His jaw fell open, and he turned to Sophie, who discreetly put a finger in the ear closest to them.
“She’s tone-deaf?” Adam asked. “And doesn’t know it? How could you not have told her?”
“We’ve tried,” Lizzie said. “A few times. She thought we were messing with her and didn’t believe us. So, now we just let her embarrass herself. Well, except on occasions like this, when she embarrasses the whole family.”