The Table

Hours passed before Kerry finally stepped out of the kitchen and announced to the house, “Dinner is ready! And it’s formal wear only.”

Laughter and groans echoed through the halls as everyone scattered to get dressed.

Al was the first to arrive at the dining table, strutting in a tight cheetah-print dress. Rick followed behind, wearing black pants and a matching cheetah-print muscle shirt.

Grandma took her place at the head of the table in a sleek black dress and a black hat that made her look both regal and untouchable.

Maranda and John came in next, wearing matching blue pantsuits. Evie followed, dazzling in a money-green halter dress that showed off the tattoos running down her arms and across her back.

The teenagers came in coordinated gray blazers and black pants. Chuck arrived in a sharp black suit, and finally, Kerry walked in wearing a bright red mini dress that showed off her tattoos—on her legs, chest, and arms.

When everyone was seated, they rose together as Grandma led the prayer. Her voice was steady and strong, and when she said “Amen,” everyone echoed it before digging into the feast.

Between clinking glasses and soft chatter, Grandma looked around at her family, her eyes full of love and something heavier.

“So,” she began, “why haven’t a lot of you been around since Grandpa passed?”

The table fell silent.

The teenagers glanced at Maranda.

Maranda straightened up, feeling the weight of their stares. “Life’s been hard,” she said quietly.

Grandma sighed, waiting.

“I was always closer to Grandpa,” Maranda continued. “When he passed, it was too hard to come back here. Grandpa was my heart, and I miss him so much. Honestly, I’ve been sitting in the living room since we got here just to be close to his urn. It’s helping.”

Grandma’s lips pressed together; her heart ached, but she forced a smile. “That’s good,” she said softly.

John cleared his throat. “Furthermore, I’ve been keeping her busy. She’s a good woman, but she needed direction in life. That’s why I’m here.”

The teenagers rolled their eyes. Chuck laughed under his breath.

Across the table, Kerry and John made brief eye contact — and smiled at each other.

Evie caught it immediately.

“Well,” Evie said, cutting in, “I haven’t been here because, honestly, coming over has always been… a lot. This neighborhood’s sketchy, and I never really fit in. To be honest, that’s why I didn’t drive up here. I was scared someone might steal my car.”

Grandma’s expression didn’t change. “I’ve lived here for over forty years and only had two break-ins. Both were handled by your Grandpa, and it never happened again. This house has been listed as an untouchable house. Some even call it the kill house.”

She laughed, but the table went still. The teenagers turned to Maranda for confirmation.

“Did Grandpa… kill the people who broke in?” one asked.

Grandma looked them dead in the eye.

“That’s trespassing,” she said calmly. “We don’t tolerate trespassers.”

Chuck chuckled nervously and reached for Grandma’s hand.

“Don’t scare the kids, Grandma.”

Grandma smiled faintly and shifted the subject. “Speaking of kids — when is someone else going to bring me some grandbabies?”

Everyone looked around awkwardly.

Kerry took a sip of her juice. “Well,” she said, “I’m eight weeks. So in about six or seven months, there’ll be a little one crying in this house.”

A ripple of surprise went around the table.

Evie smiled weakly.

“Congrats, Kerry. What do you do nowadays?”