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“So how is the article coming along?” asked Chase, deciding to change the subject.

“It’s a little challenging,” Odelia said. “I wrote one on the rise and fall of Soul Science, and one on the rise and fall of Jaqlyn, but Dan told me I should probably write another one on the rise and fall and rise again of Dad, as people loved the last one. And now we don’t know which one to print, as we only have so much space on our front page.”

“I think I’ll launch my own religion,” Gran announced suddenly. “I’ve seen how it’s done now, and I think I would like the perks of having my own set of loyal followers.”

“The only thing you’d like is for Scarlett to sit at your feet in worship,” said Marge.

Gran’s wide grin said it all. “And would that be such a bad thing?”

“Don’t do it, Ma,” Uncle Alec warned.

“Yeah, don’t even think about it,” Marge said.

“But it’s so easy! And look how much money you can make. We could do it as a family. Tex could retire, and so could Alec and Marge. Chase could work security at events, Marge could be my communications director, Odelia could write my press releases, and Tex and Alec could bring in the followers. It’ll be a goldmine for the whole family!”

“Ma, no!” said Alec and Marge as one voice. They shared a look and grinned.

“I’m sorry, big brother,” said Marge.

“No, I’m sorry, little sis,” said Alec.

And as brother and sister hugged it out, I could see Gran direct a sly look at her offspring. When she caught my eye, she winked.

“She did it on purpose,” I muttered.

“What’s that?” asked Dooley.

“Nothing, Dooley. Just that Gran isn’t half as crazy as she looks.”

I saw that she was studying Chase next, clearly wondering how to raise the cop’s stock in Marge’s eyes. I could practically see her little gray cells work like little beavers underneath those little white curls of hers.

“You know?” she said, sidling up to Marge and lowering her voice. “I’m glad you finally see Chase for what he is: a traitorous, no-good piece of cheese. So I was thinking. We need to find a new boyfriend for Odelia and get rid of this Chase Kingsley once and for all. So how about Barney Sowman? He’s single, right?” Marge gave her mother a shocked look, and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Gran went on, “Or how about Omar Carter? You heard what he said. The guy is loaded. A great catch.”

Marge’s lips had formed a thin line, and her face had turned into a thunderstorm.

She got up slowly and said, eyes popping a little,“Vesta Muffin, if you think for one minute I’m going to allow my daughter to break up with the best man she’s ever met you’ve got another thing coming! Chase is a part of this family and he’s here to stay!”

“Fine,” said Gran, crossing her arms with a mutinous look on her face. “If you want to keep nourishing a viper in your bosom, it’s your funeral. I’m just saying Omar is—”

“Not another word from you!” Marge thundered.

Gran shrugged, and when I met her eye, this time I was the one who winked.

Yep. One smart cookie, our Grandma Muffin.

“C’mere, Chase,” said Marge, her voice tremulous, and enveloped the cop into a warm embrace. “I’m sorry,” she said, blinking away a tear.

“No, I’m sorry, Marge,” said Chase, his eyes moist.

“You’re like a son to me, you know that, right?”

“And you’re like a mother to me,” he said.

“Let me get in there,” said Tex, and joined the hugfest, quickly followed by Uncle Alec.

“Max?” asked Dooley.

“Mh?” I said, enjoying the scene and swiping at my eyes.

“How can Marge be like a mother to Chase if he already has a mother?”

“I have no idea, buddy, but isn’t it wonderful, everyone getting along?”

Brutus and Harriet had slunk off the swing and were traipsing up to the grill, presumably to see if more meat was to be had. Harriet was still complaining about Shanille, and Brutus was still dutifully nodding along, not all that concerned.

“Max?”

“Mh?”

“If Marge is like a dad to Chase, is Tex like a father?”

“I guess so,” I said.

“But… then isn’t Odelia like a sister to him?”

“Um…”

“Brothers and sisters can’t get married, Max. I saw that on TV. They just can’t.”

I patted him on the head.“You know what, Dooley? You think too much.”

“But—”

“It’s all to the good, buddy. Just relax and be happy.”

He heaved a deep sigh.“Okay,” he said, and to my surprise gave me a grateful smile.

“What?” I said.

“You said I think too much.”

“So?”

“That means I’m smart, right?”

“Of course you’re smart.”

His smile widened.“No one has ever told me I’m smart, Max.”

“Well, you are, Dooley, and don’t let anyone tell you different.”

To my surprise he suddenly gave me a big hug.“I love you, Max.”

“I love you, too, buddy.”

Yep. It was a real lovefest.

And you know what?

I loved every second.

Guess I’m a softie, too.