hungrily over the stove, burning themselves every time they
dipped a finger into a pot to taste what Noel was cooking, but not
caring enough to stop. Pandora and Hector were joking around
with each other by the sink, laughing identical laughs as they tried
to see who was better at spitting a grape into the air and then
catching it again in their mouths. Poor Noel couldn?t turn one way
or the other without tripping over one of her offspring, a guest, a
husband, an in-law, a nephew, or a niece?and, yet again, no one
seemed to be lending her a hand.
?You know I can cook, right? Should I offer to help your mom??
Helen asked Lucas sheepishly.
?Are you kidding? My mom loves this. Sometimes I think she?s
just waiting for all of us to get married and move out so she can
open her own restaurant.? He saw Helen?s dubious look. ?I?m serious!
She was telling my dad the other day she wants to have a dinner
party and invite half the island. She?s insane.?
?There you are, Helen, dear,? Noel said when she looked up, as if
she had been truly anxious about Helen?s whereabouts. Then she
turned back to her stove top and started talking to herself. ?She?ll
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need extras. So damned thin all of a sudden . . . Father still doesn?t
know the first thing about her so he isn?t feeding her properly and
Kate is so worried! Now where is Cassie??
Noel was mumbling to herself, but loud enough so Helen could
hear. She couldn?t tell if Noel was out of her mind with stress, used
to being talked over in such a loud room, or if she was intentionally
letting Helen in on her thoughts. Noel took a lungful of air and
hollered Cassandra?s name.
There was a startled thump from upstairs, and Cassandra?s distant
voice yelling back, ?Start without me, I?m busy!?