V & V (wlw)

Chapter 16 - The one with the dinner

The kitchen was a frenzy of activity when Janice entered and became the de facto boss. Once she got over the courteous hesitation of ordering Victoria around – at Vic's own insistence – they were far from a well-oiled machine, but they churned out dishes well enough.

Eventually they all sat down to dinner, at a large rectangular table situated under the open sky, sans Christopher. On one corner, Bernard, his wife and children arrayed beside him. Opposite him, across the table, Ruth sat, then Vic and Ron, and Janice. No one made conversation.

"It's so nice seeing everyone together again," said Ruth, who was very brave.

"Yes," said Gigi, after a beat. Ron thought it was sad that after over a decade, all they could say to each other was that. She also thought it was funny.

The only new face at the table was Victoria, and her youngest cousin. Ron figured the kid didn't deserve animosity.

"Hi," she said to the child, who looked momentarily seized with fear. "Do you know me?"

"She doesn't," said Bernard.

"We must have left before we ever met. What's your name, dear?" said Janice, who was making a valiant effort to not hear the acid in her brother-in-law's voice.

The child didn't speak until Ben's gentle prompting, upon which she said, "Catherine."

"Nice to meet you, Catherine. These are your cousins, Ronnie and Ruth. And Ronnie's wife Victoria."

Catherine nodded and shrank back into herself. Ron wondered what happened to this kid.

Suddenly Grandma emerged, holding on to Christopher's arm. Just about everyone at the table half-stood – Ron didn't even need to nudge Victoria, who stood on her own.

The matriarch turned to her middle son and kissed his forehead. "I haven't seen you in almost a year. Busy?"

"Yes, Ma. Busy, all of us." Bernard managed to sound abashed and dismissive all at once. Grandma greeted his wife and children the same, spending a few minutes talking to Catherine. Then she turned to them.

Grandma held Ruth and said, "You've grown so much. I almost didn't recognize you. Your hair is very exciting."

"Veronika, is that you?" Grandma had such a strong embrace for an octogenarian.

"Yes, Grandma," she wheezed.

"You look like your father. I'm so happy you all are back." Grandma set her sights on Victoria. "I don't think I know you. Janice, did you and Andres have another one?"

Janice laughed not unkindly, and said, "No, Mama. That's Veronika's wife."

This entire time, Vic had a look of polite blankness on her face, and it occurred to Ron that she had no idea what they were saying. She leaned in to translate.

"Oh, no need, Ronnie." Grandma switched languages. "So you're the woman who won Ron over. She always said marriage was stupid and a waste of money."

"I was six," said Ron, who at that age had discovered how much it was to pay for things.

Victoria laughed, ever gracious. "My name is Victoria, Grandma."

Grandma pulled her into a hug and said, "Welcome to the family."

Vic froze; no one else saw it except for Ron, and she worried for a moment before Victoria went ever so minutely slack and clasped Grandma with renewed warmth. Veron thought she saw her eyes glistening, confirmed by how Vic refused to look in her direction.

Supper was pleasant, cozy even, despite their initial frostiness. But edges were easily avoided, and conversation skirted around the sharp ones until Victoria ventured a question everyone hoped would stay unmentioned. "This house, how long ago was it built?"