Under Grandma's Roof

Maranda and her fourth husband, John, pulled up with her four teenage kids. The teens rushed inside, shouting greetings as they ran to hug Grandma. They plopped down around the dining table, talking all at once—one bragging about being in a band, another about dance classes, another announcing they’d graduate next year.

Grandma could barely keep up, but she loved listening.

John came over, gave her a side hug, and handed her a small box tied with a bow.

“What’s this? It isn’t Christmas,” she laughed.

She opened it to find a diamond necklace with a small key pendant. Grandma looked from the gift to Maranda and John, confused.

John smiled. “We just bought a mini mansion in L.A., and we want you to come live with us; so you can get out of this dump.”

Grandma’s smile dropped. She gave him a sharp look.

“This isn’t a dump. And you know, John, you’ve only been in this family for about six months, so you might want to speak carefully.”

Then she turned to Maranda. “And what’s wrong with you, letting him talk about our home like that?”

The teenagers could feel the tension in the air and quietly slipped downstairs to the basement game room.

Just then, Chuck came out of his room and spotted them. “Well, look who it is,” he said, giving Maranda a quick hug.

Maranda crossed her arms. “You still living here?” she asked, her tone sharp with judgment.

Chuck just laughed it off. “Someone has to take care of Grandma if she needs it.”

Grandma shook her head and went back to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, Kerry came through the door with grocery bags. Chuck hurried to help her carry them in. As Kerry turned to greet Maranda and John, she froze—the man standing next to Maranda was John, the same John she’d hooked up with a couple of weeks ago from a dating app.

Maranda smiled proudly. “This is my new husband, John.”

Kerry forced a smile and shook his hand. He met her gaze with a sly grin that made her stomach turn.

“What happened to the last one?” Kerry asked, her voice tight.

Maranda shrugged.

“We just grew apart. But John is the love of my life.”

Kerry laughed nervously. “Well, fourth time’s the charm.”

Maranda’s smile faltered. “Where’s your man?” she asked, looking around the room with mock curiosity.

Kerry smirked. “Ha! Ha! They’ll be here later.” She slipped into the kitchen to escape the awkwardness and started cutting greens and seasoning meat.

Moments later, the front door swung open. Uncle Al burst in, his pink fur coat sweeping the floor. He glanced at Maranda and John, rolled his eyes, and strutted straight to the kitchen.

He hugged Grandma tightly. “I should’ve stopped for something to eat in town, because ain’t nothing ready,” he groaned.

Grandma sighed deeply. “Stop being dramatic, Al.”

Just then, Al’s husband, Rick, appeared with two suitcases. “Baby, where do I put the bags?”

Al pranced over and led him to their room.

“I need to rest,” Grandma said softly. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Okay, I got this,” Kerry replied.

She made a pitcher of lemonade and poured everyone a glass over ice, then started a batch of sweet tea to chill in the freezer. As the kitchen filled with the sound of clinking dishes and simmering pots, she began working on the dressing and sides, trying to push the awkwardness—and John’s smirk—out of her mind.