Getting Back to Normal by Marilyn Levinson Page A

thinking of giving Dottie a shot,” Aunt Mayda says quickly. “I bet she’d love to have our business.”
    I grin. Dottie used to work with Mom, until she went off on her own. And then my own marvelous idea pops into my head.
    “Aunt Mayda, do you think Dottie would let me help her?”
    “Vannie, that’s the silliest—” Daddy begins.
    But Aunt Mayda cuts him off, sounding more forceful than I would have dreamed possible. “I bet Dottie would welcome having a seasoned yet inexpensive assistant. Vannie can go down in the books as a trainee.”
    “Yippee!” I shout.
    “Vannie, we’re brainstorming. Tossing ideas about,” Daddy cautions me. “Nothing’s settled.”
    Aunt Mayda obviously considers the matter settled because she moves on. “Now to come up with a more exciting meat selection than prime rib, our old standby.”
    “How about Beef Wellington?” Daddy asks.
    “Or rack of baby lamb chops?” I suggest.
    Daddy, Aunt Mayda, and I toss possible meat entrees across the table.
    Robby pounds the table with his fist. “No business talk at the table!”
    Aunt Mayda and I laugh.
    “Fair enough,” Daddy agrees. His glance falls on Robby’s plate. “What’s that pile-up of chicken? I thought you liked your sister’s cooking. “
    “I do,” Robby squeals. “So does Theodore.”
    “Theodore!” Daddy barks. “Didn’t I buy that wild creature enough food to last through the winter?”
    “But Daddy,” Robby says, “that’s only cat food.”
    “Only cat food? I’ll have you know that cat food costs money.”
    “I know, but Theodore needs variety. Miss Noolan says everyone needs variety in their diet.”
    “Robert.” Daddy shows his bottom teeth, which means he’s really angry. “Miss Noolan is talking about human beings. Your Theodore is a cat. A wild animal that hunts for his own food.”
    “He is not wild.”
    Aunt Mayda and I look at each other. “Roger, it’s time Vannie and I left for the mall,” she says. We gather up the dirty dishes and put them in the sink.
    “Fine, sure. I’ll go get my credit card. Just be a minute.” Daddy’s distracted from scolding Robby as we intended. He pats my shoulder. “Good dinner, Vannie. Robby and I will do the dishes.”
    I suddenly feel guilty about leaving them. “But you did them last night.”
    “Then you can do them two nights in a row,” Daddy answers. “Go on. Before the stores close.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    Aunt Mayda and I dash out to her rented car, laughing like two teenagers.
    “That was fun, Vannie. Thanks for a terrific dinner.”
    “You’re welcome. Come any time, now that I’m an official MG caterer.”
    I expect Aunt Mayda to crack a joke back, but she starts the car without saying a word. She’s still quiet after we’ve turned onto the main road. I’m beginning to wonder if she took what I said the wrong way, when she sighs.
    “Sorry, Vannie, I was reminiscing. Being with you guys reminds me of my own family.”
    “It does?” I ask, amazed. “Don’t tell me your family used to bicker all the time.”
    “I didn’t notice a whole lot of bickering.”
    I think a bit. “Maybe not. Just when Daddy came down hard on Robby. As usual.”
    We stop at a red light. Aunt Mayda turns to look at me. “It strikes me that Robby breaks an awful lot of rules for his precious Theodore.”
    Her words sting me. I rush to defend my brother. “Theodore’s very important to Robby. For lots of reasons.”
    “And your father knows it,” Aunt Mayda says, her voice gentle. “He’s letting Robby keep him, isn’t he?”
    I think for a minute, then ask, “Is that what you advised Daddy to do?”
    She shrugs. “He asked if I’d object to having a cat on the premises. Theodore received my wholehearted endorsement.”
    I reach over to hug her. “Thanks, Aunt Mayda. You sure have been a big help.”
    She smiles at me. “I’m glad you think so.” The light changes and we drive on. “Your mom asked me to keep an eye on you guys. I