“No, the problem is,” Hunter said, “we’re not welcome.”

“That’s absurd,” I said, having heard enough. “And I have to tell you, I don’t think it’s true. It may be somewhat true on certain days in certain situations, but it can’t be entirely true. If it was, you’d be heading to a boarding school.”

“So now you don’t believe us?” Tyler said.

“Tyler? You both know I love y’all from the bottom of my heart, don’t you?”

They said, “Yeah, we know.”

“What I’m seeing from where I stand is different than what you see. I see that you are having a really terrible time trying to adjust to your dad’s marriage. And I see that you both are looking for solutions and can’t find them. It’s not an unusual problem, do you know that?”

“Not really,” Tyler said.

“Yeah,” Hunter said.

“Well, we need a solution, because I can’t take your unhappiness much longer,” I said, and then thought it probably wasn’t the most empathetic thing I’d ever said. “What’s your plan for this weekend?”

“Nothing,” they said.

“Okay, so why don’t I call Maureen and see if we can’t go over for a swim or all of us maybe go to a movie?”

“Okay. If she’ll let us go.”

“I’ll ask her. So, for now, do y’all want to make milk shakes?”

That perked them up, and I said a little prayer of thanksgiving.

“Do you want to scoop the ice cream?” I said to Hunter.

I didn’t tell him it was frozen yogurt.

“Yeah!” he said.

Frozen yogurt, milk, chocolate syrup, ice, and a shot of vanilla went into our blender and Tyler flipped the switch. The blender made so much noise, you couldn’t hear yourself think. The next thing I knew, Archie was standing in my kitchen. When we turned the blender off we turned to see him there.

“I guess you couldn’t hear me knocking,” he said.

“Hi, Dad,” Tyler said.

“You’re right! We didn’t,” I said. “Would you like a part of a chocolate milk shake?”

“Does this mean we have to go home?” Hunter said.

“I’d love a swallow or two,” Archie said. “I haven’t had a milk shake in probably twenty years.”

Tyler, sensing a good mood in his father, quickly got another glass and said, “Then you have to have one! It’s the best!”

Hunter said, “Miss Holly’s milk shake is better than McDonald’s!”

I poured a glass for Archie and he took a sip.

“This is amazing! Why have I deprived myself all these years?”

“Have a seat!” I said.

Tyler said, “Give Dad the rest and me and my brother . . .”

“My brother and I . . .” I said, correcting his grammar.

“My brother and I can make another one.”

“Have at it!” I said. “You know what to do.”