Another round of laughs. Marge clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Time’s a-ticking and some of us have work to do. Grub is served, so dig in.”

Decker spent the next twenty minutes shaking hands, hugging his family, and accepting congratulations on his upcoming birthday as his coworkers formed a long line to the makeshift buffet. There were platters of roasted chicken, corned beef, pastrami, smoked turkey, bologna, potato salad, coleslaw, chopped liver, olives and pickles, onions and tomatoes, and baskets of sliced breads—rye and challah.

Decker turned to Rina. “How did you plan this without my knowing?”

“I didn’t plan it. The boys and Cindy did everything. What I can’t understand is how they did it without my knowing.”

“You should have seen the look on the ladies’ faces when they saw us,” Sammy said. “Eema was funny, but Hannah was priceless.”

“I did kinda freak when I saw them.” Hannah rested her head on Sammy’s arm.

Decker said, “How’s Rachel, Sam?”

“Studying for finals. She sends her regards.”

“Ilana sends her regards, too,” Jacob said. “She really wanted to come, but she also has finals.”

“Next time,” Decker said. “You’re staying the weekend? Of course you are.”

Jake said, “We even pulled out the trundle because it appears we’ve been supplanted by a younger model.” When Gabe turned red, he added, “Go eat some corned beef, kid. You need some protein.”

“I’m still full from the pizza.”

“Well, then go make me a sandwich. I’m hungry.”

“Excuse me?” Rina said. “Is that how I taught you to talk to guests?”

“He’s not a guest, he’s an interloper.”

“It’s fine.” Gabe smiled shyly. “What kind of sandwich do you want?”

“Pastrami and smoked turkey on rye, mustard, no mayo, and all the sides.”

“Got it.” Gabe turned to brace himself for the onslaught at the buffet.

When he left, Jacob said, “Nice kid. I understand he’s dealing with a couple of issues.”

“Aren’t we all?” Decker threw his arm around his sons. “Thank you, Yonkel. Thank you, Shmueli. I will never forget this day.”

“I love you, old man,” Jacob told him. “Now can I have the car?”

Cindy came up to her father, munching on a drumstick. She kissed his cheek. “Happy birthday, Daddy. You deserve all this and more.”

“I love you, princess.” He kissed her cheek, peeking at her abdomen that had blossomed into a nice bump. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m always famished around this time.”

“When’s the big day?” Jake asked.

Cindy said. “Christmas or New Year’s…something like that.”

Jake laughed. “You don’t know the due date?”

“I wasn’t listening too closely once the test turned up positive.” Cindy mussed up her stepbrother’s hair, then took another bite of chicken. “Wow, this is good. Koby, can you get me another drumstick?”