Chapter 51: Rose

Mom and Dad had put Mina and Mallory to work while we were gone. They’d decorated the backyard, and had a table set up with different dishes from the local Chinese restaurant, Kimia’s favorite place. They’d ordered large quantities of both white and fried rice, sweet and sour pork, both chow mein and lo mein, beef and broccoli, cashew chicken, and walnut shrimp. Then, because Kimia loves chocolate, a homemade chocolate cake. My stomach growled when I saw the spread.

We invited Nate and his family to join us. The Graycorts have sort of adopted Mrs. Mactire and her sister since they moved to Aspen Falls. Mr. Graycort seems to like Nate, but is unsure about Jimmy and Saoirse. I don’t blame him. Nate’s cousins can be a little much.

After we’d gotten our food, we’d all settled on blankets around the yard. The parents had the chairs. I