“Fred always put more seeds in where he pulled something out.”

“That’s a fine idea. Where does he keep the seeds?”

“In the garden shed, in a plastic tub on the counter.” Ginny buttered one side of the sandwiches and laid them on the hot griddle, then buttered the tops.

“Ice in the glasses and lemonade and iced tea pitchers on the table,” she answered to Addy’s questioning look.

“You want small bowls for the Jell-O?” Amalia asked as Addy carried the glasses outside.

“Please.”

“You all right?”

Ginny swallowed and reached for a tissue. “The tears just sneak up on me. I could hear Fred say, ‘Any chips?’”

“Well, are there? Or better yet, do you want chips out?”

Sniff, blink, mop. “If we have some. Addy likes chips.”

She stared up at the ceiling, the tears quit, and she took paper plates out of the drawer. After cutting the sandwiches in half on the diagonal like Fred had wanted, she handed a plate to each of them.

“Are you okay, Grandma?” Addy wore her worried look.

“I will be. We just have to get through the tears.”

Amalia smiled at Addy. “I can promise, they don’t last forever, and don’t you worry, Addy, your grandma just needs us here to help her through the nows.”

“That’s what Mom said, but it makes me cry too.”

“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry, but everybody tells me this is just the way it is.” They sat down at the table, where a slight breeze tickled their hair and kissed their faces. “Addy, do you want to say grace?”

“Dear God, bless this food and help Grandma get through the tears. Dad too, I guess all of us. Please take good care of Grandpa. We sure miss him. Amen.”

Ginny half smiled through her tears. “Thank you, sweetie.”

“Oh, look,” Addy said. “The prince is on the feeder.”

“The prince?” Amalia followed the pointing finger. “Oh, you mean the male cardinal?”

“Yeah, the prince. He’s so bright. There were a bunch of them here through the winter. Andy got some neat pictures of them against the snow.”

“Andy is our budding photographer in the family,” Ginny explained.

“Takes after you?”

“I guess, but Fred was no slouch either. He encouraged Andy by giving him a good camera last Christmas. He and Andy were taking pictures at the basketball games. Got some good action shots.”

Addy added, “He wants to take pictures for the high school paper when we get there.”

“You’re twelve now?” Amalia asked.

“We turn twelve in June.”

“So, tell us about your time up at the lake.”