29 Chapter 29

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To everyone’s surprise, dinner isn’t ruined. Although the ham might be toasty-black on the outside, and covered in foam from a fire extinguisher’s bath, the assortment of sides is delicious. The Icicles enjoy their holiday meal in the dining room in a circle. A drunken Bobo sits beside Willa. Willa sits beside Jake. Jake sits beside Pam. Pam sits beside Jonah. And Jonah sits beside Sandy. As expected, Bill doesn’t eat with his family. He cannot be found, but he’s around…somewhere.

Even Reginald Humperfunk joins the gathering. He sits next to Willa, looks up at her with his brown and sweltering eyes. He lifts his right paw, releases a soft whine, begging.

Dessert is eventually served. Willa’s proud of her pumpkin and pecan pies. She also raves about her fresh, homemade whipped cream, telling her family, “I learned the recipe from Rachael Ray.”