Beneath the tranquil cadence of the grandfather clock, a steadfast presence in the adjacent sitting room, the formal dining table, which had remained dormant since Becky's last Christmas in Sommerfield over four years ago, was now resplendent beneath the fancy tablecloth. An assortment of dishes, each crafted with care since early morning, released tendrils of steam, their tempting scents inviting Ted and Becky to the table.

"Mom, it's too much food," Becky remarked as she took in the generous spread that her mother had prepared.

Sally, with an enthusiastic smile, ladled a large scoop of tater hotdish onto her own plate. "Well, sweetie, you should already know this was going to happen, so you might as well enjoy it."

Ted chimed in, shaking his head with amusement, "I was gonna shut up and enjoy it too until I realized how much washing up is waiting for me." He glanced at all the fine crockery that was laid before him.

Sally playfully rolled her eyes at Ted's comment and continued serving Becky. She had already pre poured an array of juices and mixed punch, eager to cater to her daughter's preferences.

"Oh, hush, Ted!" Sally exclaimed with a smile. "You make it like I'm the only one over excited about having Becky back home." She turned to Becky with a bright smile. "Your dad has been mowing the lawn every day plus he oiled every door and window hinge in the house. He'd even changed every tap washer to prevent plumbing failures during your stay."

Ted shot Sally a mock-displeased look as she playfully ratted him out. Trying to regain the upper hand, he decided to add a touch of exaggeration, "And, Becky, have you heard about the thirty-minute fireworks extravaganza your mom arranged for you?"

Becky laughed wholeheartedly, appreciating her parents' playful jokes and their efforts to make her feel at home. Sally, despite her earlier groan, couldn't help but chuckle at her husband's antics. "Oh, Ted, don't give her false expectations. I would never be able to find enough fireworks for a show worthy of Becky." she teased, her eyes filled with maternal affection.

Ted smiled broadly as he ladled a generous portion of crispy roast potatoes onto Becky's plate.

"The whole fireworks thing was a bit extravagant but reasonable for a big deal like you, Becky," Ted quipped, "although your mom went a bit overboard when she called the president for the fighter jet flyby."

Becky chuckled heartily, her cheeks starting to ache from the constant banter and laughter she had missed so much. Her heart swelled with the warmth of her parents' affection and the delicious meal they had prepared for her. She savored every bite, grateful for their love.

Amidst the feast, between mouthfuls of succulent roast chicken, Becky inquired, "What's new in Sommerfield?"

Sally smiled, her eyes reflecting the familiar charm of the small town. "You know, not much ever changes in Sommerfield. But we did have a parade a few months ago featuring champion cattle and breeders from Nebraska. They arranged a small festival, music, and they even had a market."

Ted chimed in, "It was a fantastic day. The grocery store was bustling with business from the festivities. Those Nebraskans were a delight, especially when it came time to eat them."

"The cattle or the breeders?" Becky playfully asked.

Father and daughter shared a good-natured laugh, while Sally couldn't help but adore the way that Becky had lost none of her fun.

"It truly was a wonderful day," Sally said, her eyes twinkling with memories. "I even reconnected with an old friend of mine, a cattle farmer. Back then, he and his father were exploring opportunities to expand their operations into the northern states."

Becky's curiosity piqued. "Beef cattle in Minnesota?" she asked incredulously, her eyes widening in surprise as Ted playfully sneaked a serving of potato egg salad onto her plate.

Sally nodded, her smile reminiscent. "Yes, beef cattle in Minnesota. Hard to imagine, isn't it? When it comes to meats, Sommerfield has always been more synonymous with turkey than cattle. But I kept in touch with that charming young man, well, he was young back in the day."

Becky turned her head towards her dad, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Jealous, Dad?" she teased.

Ted sniffed disdainfully, glancing dismissively at Becky. "I saw the 'charming young man' at the parade. Didn't know he was your mom's friend. I thought he was Yosemite Sam."

Becky stifled a laugh, trying not to offend her mom, who was sternly laddling peas and corn onto her plate.

"Well, Ted," Sally retorted with a playful smirk, "My friend, Yosemite Sam, is now one of the largest ranchers in all of Nebraska, with over forty thousand head of cattle. Perhaps Becky could consider working for him after her studies."

Becky imagined the vast expanse of the ranch and the endless sea of cattle. "Wow, that's a lot of cattle," she mused. "I don't mind working with them, but staring at nothing but cattle every day might get a bit monotonous."

Ted chimed in with a grin, "At least you'll never go hungry working there."

Sally picked up a succulent slice of roast beef and offered it to Becky. "More roast beef, dear?" she asked, holding the slice over Becky's plate, which had already been emptied of the abundant feast. With a grateful nod, Becky accepted, and Sally drizzled some rich gravy over the meat, using an old gravy boat that had the name 'Berenson' nearly painted on the sides.

"Becky, did they not feed you at all in California?" Ted teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You are insatiable!"

Sally sounded her protests, defending her daughter, "If Becky's hungry, she should eat. She's still growing."

"I know she's still growing," Ted retorted playfully, "but I'm worried her stomach is growing too quickly and it's going to bump against the table soon."

Becky, trying to mask her amusement, joined in the banter. "Maybe I should pay more attention to what I'm eating," she admitted, "But it's a holiday, Dad. A little indulgence won't hurt. Plus, it's not like we're going to eat like this every day, right?"

Ted chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Right," he said, "not because your mom wasn't planning to, but because there's no more groceries left in all of Sommerfield after the banquet your mom has conjured up."

"Well since I've cleared this town of its food supplies, your old mom's the only on in town who has desserts line up for you whenever you are ready to move on." Sally put out her hand to assuage any expectations, "But no hurry, the desserts can wait until you are done with the main meal."

"What's for dessert, by the way?" Becky inquired, her stomach already eagerly anticipating the next course even as she kept devouring the present meal.

Sally, bustling with an air of culinary triumph, beamed back at her daughter. "Dessert is a strawberry delight," she announced, her voice laced with pride.

Becky's face lit up with delight. "Oh yeah, one of my favorites," she exclaimed. "It must be summer because I've got a mad craving for it right now. I love how you make the jello using the homemade strawberry jam instead of using the pre-packaged kind."

Sally chuckled, her eyes twinkling with a mix of culinary know how and a big serving of pride. "Oh, sweetie, strawberry delight can be such a delicate and interpretive recipe," she explains, "There's no way I was going to cut any corners."

Becky nodded in approval. "I'm sold. I want seconds already."

Sally raised a cautionary finger. "Well, hang on a minute," Sally admonished gently. "You should save some room in your stomach for the next dessert."

Becky was caught by surprise she turned her head eagerly toward her mother.

"There's more?" she asked, her voice filled with barely-contained excitement.

Sally nodded, her own eyes alight with amusement. "I did say desserts with an 's'," she confirmed. "Shall I go get it all?"

Becky's enthusiastic nod was all the confirmation her mother needed. Sally smiled and, with a graceful sweep, cleared away a few empty plates before retiring to the kitchen, her steps echoing with purpose.

Meanwhile, Ted's eyes danced with amusement as he watched his daughter's youthful excitement.

"So, Becky, what are your plans for the month, apart from eating everything in the house?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine curiosity, "A month's a long time to fill. I must admit, I'm a bit envious of the free time you have now."

Becky grinned, her fork expertly skimming off the cheesiest part of the tater tot hotdish to eat first. "Don't be too envious," she quipped between bites. "I plan to spend a lot of time hanging around and bothering you two. It's the first real break I've had in a year or so. Anyway, there are some places I want to see again in Sommerfield and some people I need to catch up with."

Ted nodded understandingly, "Well, maybe a month isn't that long after all if you've got that much to catch up with." he mused, "I'm sure your friends will be happy to see you again. Although," he added with a hint of curiosity, "I heard Dan isn't in Sommerfield anymore. He moved elsewhere."

Becky's expression softened, a touch of nostalgia flickering in her eyes. "Oh, that's a shame. Maybe I can catch up with him next time he's in Sommerfield." she said casually, her words belying the deeper emotions beneath.

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Ted's eyebrows lifted inquisitively. "Are you still in contact with Dan?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Becky's eating slowed momentarily, her gaze wandering toward the doorway in anticipation of her mother's return. "Not so much these days," she admitted, her voice slightly distant. "He seems busy with his work and life."

The room was momentarily quiet, filled only with the clinking of cutlery and the distant sound of Sally fussing about with the desserts. Becky's eyes remained fixed on the kitchen doorway, awaiting the sweet promise of dessert.

"Well it's hardly exciting, but we've got church service tomorrow at nine thirty," he continues, his tone carrying the weight of a well-established routine. "Your mom brings a plate of cupcakes and cookies in the morning for the children's Sunday classes, so I usually go earlier as well to help the Revere move tables and stuff. You can come spend the morning with us at church. It's probably the longest opportunity to spend time with us. Weekdays are going to be spent at the grocery store which can get quite boring."

Becky grinned, her response laced with affectionate defiance. "I just want to spend time with you and mom, I'll be wherever you two will be. Get used to it!" she declared, her eyes dancing with a hint of mischief.

Ted chuckled, his gaze softening as he regarded his daughter. "I bet you'll tire of us old people very soon, and you'll be off doing your own thing," he predicted, a note of playful teasing in his voice. "You're welcome to borrow my pickup anytime you need a ride; just fill her up if the tank gets below quarter full."

As if on cue, Sally returned to the dining room, her hands carrying a delightful array of desserts which she placed down onto the dining table. A large bowl of strawberry cream jello sat next to a decadent chocolate caramel tart, both desserts promising an indulgent experience.

"Hey, guess what Sally?" Ted interjected, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "We're getting a new helper at Sunday school tomorrow."

Sally turned to Becky, her eyes shining with pride and affection, as she handed her a freshly laden plate that bore a generous slice of caramel tart and a sizable dollop of the strawberry delight.

"Is that so?" Sally replied, her voice filled with anticipation. "Maybe Becky can talk to the children about being a vet and share her knowledge about animals," she suggested, her eyes alight at the prospect. "The kids would love to hear about it. I'll call Sarah and let her know; she's the one that organizes the Sunday classes."

Becky, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and nervous excitement, began to eat both desserts simultaneously, savoring the contrasting flavors that encapsulated the essence of her childhood.

"Do I need to prepare anything?" she asked, her eyes reflecting her uncertainty. "I worry if what I say will be too boring or if I can't answer their curious questions about animals."

Sally laughed, her voice a soothing melody of reassurance. "Don't get caught up with it all," she advised. "The kids would love just to see your face. They're really sweet kids and won't give you any hassle."

Ted, satisfied with the plans for the next day, turned his attention to Becky. With a friendly grin, he stood up and leaned towards her.

"Hey, Becky," Ted said, his voice carrying a note of his usual cheer, "it seems like you've got everything covered. We're all set for tomorrow's schedule, so I'll let you ladies spend some quality time together."

Becky responded without missing a beat. "Dad, is there a baseball game on TV?" she inquired, her tone playful.

Ted glanced at his watch, his expression filled with an exaggerated, mock surprise. "Why, yes it is!" he exclaimed, "Thanks for reminding me. Do you want to watch the game with me, or would you rather enjoy more of this delicious and gourmet dessert your mother handmade just for you?"

Becky, having polished off the last delectable bite of her dessert, picked up her glass of water to wash down the sweetness. "Baseball sounds good. Let's go watch," she said, her voice laced with enthusiasm.

Ted tilted his head, a curious smile playing on his lips. "Really?" he queried, genuine surprise in his voice. "When did you start liking baseball?"

Becky leaned back in her chair, her eyes full with nostalgia. "I've always liked baseball." she admitted, her gaze drifting back to the days of her youth. "Remember how I used to go to the home games when you were still coaching?"

Ted's eyes softened with understanding. "Well, I didn't know that," he confessed, a touch of regret in his tone. "I thought you came along just to support me, and maybe to watch Dan play." His eyes weighed with a sense of lost opportunity, "If I had known you were a keen ball player, I would have coached you."

Becky chuckled, her laughter as sweet as the memory. "I'm not keen enough to play, but I do enjoy watching a good game," she explained, her gaze drifting toward the window. "Although, football is more my thing," she added with a mischievous grin.

Ted shivered, momentarily frowning.

"Please don't say the F-word at the table." He joked. Ted then began collecting the used plates and cutlery, signalling the end of the delightful meal.

Sally, her motherly instincts in full swing, protested gently as Ted started clearing the dishes. "Stop rushing us, Becky isn't done yet," she said, her voice carrying a hint of defensiveness.

Ted, undeterred, declared his intentions. "Done or not, I'm going to make a start on the dishes. The pre-game show is on, and I'd better not dawdle if I'm going to catch the first innings," he announced, his tone full of determination.

Becky, ever helpful, motioned to assist with the cleanup, but Sally gently guided her back into her seat. "Sweetie, your dad's got it. Just sit down and talk to your mom," she insisted.

As Ted began clearing the main dishes, Sally turned her attention back to Becky, "Are you full, sweetie? Would you like some bread and butter pudding or some buckeyes for a post-dessert treat?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Becky smiled, feeling a mixture of contentment and amusement. "Let's save some treats for later," she suggested, "but where do you find the time to uncover all these new recipes?"

Sally chuckled, "Oh, I'm still very active with the ladies at church, at the crochet club and just catching up with the whole town through the grocery store," she explained proudly. "I'm almost as well connected these days as Maggie Fenton."

"Mom, you should play baseball too. I've heard from Dan that the ladies team has some really good cooks amongst them." she suggested, her eyes dancing with humor. Sally's laughter fills the room.

"Unlike your father, I've kept in touch with all the players and their families," she confided. "I still get an invite to the Little League end-of-season picnic every year. But your father refuses to attend the team award night, even though one year he was the guest of honor, and they were going to name an award after him."

Ted, overhearing the conversation, stopped in his tracks.

"I coached the team for the kids, not for the Sommerfield baseball admins with their inflated egos. And I would never dream of acting like a certain ex-minor league player asking for a thousand dollars per appearance," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

Becky looked at her father, her eyes wide with surprise. "I never knew how complex local baseball could be,"

Ted, his stance unyielding, returned to the kitchen to drop off the plates before coming back, his eyes meeting Becky's with a mixture of pride and determination.

"I love the game, it's in my blood, but my injury and my interactions with the team administrators was too much for me," Ted declared, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. "Just because they own the baseball field, they think they've become some sort of George Steinbrenner wannabe."

Sally, always the voice of reason, chimed in. "Your dad's being melodramatic. All they did was ask him to present an award to the player of the season and to run a one-off ball skills clinic for the winners."

Ted grumbled, his brows furrowing with annoyance. "And I was going to do it too, for the kids, good boys and girls who love the game as I did. But then I found out I had to pay my own way for the overnight accommodation and drive myself up to the camp at Elkridge, whereas they paid Benny Ryan a grand for his coaching on top of covering his entire board and travel costs."

Becky, intrigued, asked, "Who is Benny Ryan?"

Sally chuckled sarcastically. "Benny was in your dad's ball team back in the dark ages who eventually ended up playing a few seasons in one of the mid-tier minor leagues. Your dad has a thing against him, for various reasons he won't admit."

"Benny's got no talent, he threw like he had two left hands, but he got along well with all the administrators," Ted retorted.

"It's called teamwork, Ted," Sally said, her tone gentle but firm. "Now, please, go do the dishes before the game starts."

Ted, grumbling but offering no actual resistance, shuffled off to the kitchen.

"Imagine if Dad didn't get that injury and made it all the way to the major league. He'd be on the news every day, complaining about all his teammates and the manager of the team." Becky mused aloud.

Sally nodded, her eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and amusement. "No team would have him, no matter how good his pitching was. Your dad is an excellent coach though; he always brought out the best in his players. He has patience for kids and young people, it's just adults and his contemporaries that he cannot stand."

"It sounds like Sommerfield baseball has had its share of drama," Becky said, "I remember Dan telling me about the politics that kept him away from the minor league scouts because the local manager didn't want to risk losing Dan to a better league."

Ted's voice carried from the kitchen, a mixture of frustration and passion. "Don't get me started on the scouting debacle! Sommerfield will be the first town to win all the big county and state competitions but never produce a major league player because of the shortsighted numbskulls running, or rather ruining, the team."

Sally, trying to steer the conversation away from baseball, chimed in with enthusiasm. "Okay, that's enough baseball chatter for one day! Now, Becky, as Maggie Fenton would always say; spill the beans! Tell me all about your adventures in Southern California!"

Becky laughed, feeling the warmth of her mother's presence. She took one final scoop of the strawberry delight onto her plate, licking the serving spoon clean, savoring not just the dessert but the sweet taste of home and family.

"Aw, Mom, this is so good," she said, her eyes lighting up with genuine delight. "You gotta give me the recipe."

Sally smiled, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and motherly concern. "Later, sweetie. First, tell me about your life in the dorm. Are you cooking at home, eating out? Is it noisy? Are you getting enough sleep? How are your finances? Let us know if you need any money."

Becky nodded, appreciating her mom's caring nature. "I'm actually doing quite well," she replied. "I'm saving money by eating at home most days. Occasionally, I go out with friends, but they're really good with money too. I'm still in touch with Laura; she lives just five minutes away. We helped each other to settle in and shared tips on surviving university."

"That's great," Sally said, genuinely pleased. "How's Laura, by the way? She's such a sweet girl."

Becky's face softened with affection as she spoke about her friend. "She's doing well. I don't see her as much these days since she moved out with her new boyfriend. She dropped history and is studying journalism now. I think she wants to work on TV."

Sally, ever the imaginative soul, saw an opportunity. "Oh, a regular Barbara Walters," she exclaimed. "Laura was always interesting to talk to; it felt like an interview every time she came around. Do you think she'd ever be interested in doing a story about the life and times of a Midwest woman co-owning and running a small-town grocery store?"

Becky considered the idea. "I don't know, but I could always ask," she replied, her curiosity piqued. "I never knew you were interested in publicity."

"It's not about me," Sally explained earnestly. "It's about putting our town on the map, showing how beautiful Sommerfield is, and proving that small towns like ours are not only alive but also thriving."

Ted returned to the room, bearing a pot of warm tea and a few cups. His voice, laced with humor, cut through the conversation. "Don't believe what your mom says. She's in it for the personal glory. She's gone mad with power."

Sally playfully scolded him. "Oh, hush, Ted. It never hurts to bring attention and investment to the local economy. Maybe Laura can do a sports piece on you, chronicling your battle to avoid being headhunted by the old folks in the Sommerfield over-fifties baseball team."

Ted laughed heartily, clearly unbothered by the teasing. "Yes, speaking of baseball, the game's about to start. Me, as Becky's favorite parent, is going to have to borrow our first born here so I can enjoy some quality baseball."

Becky turned to her dad, her eyes wide with mock hurt. "Dad," she said, feigning a wounded tone, "Do you really miss me, or am I just a pawn in some sick emotional parenting game you play with Mom?" She placed a hand over her heart, pretending to be deeply wounded, but her eyes twinkled with playful mischief.

Ted responded with a grin, his tone light. "Nope, never missed you for a second. Now come and grab your mom as well. I think it's time for us to educate her in the arcane ways of baseball watching. Soon she'll be trash-talking the away team starting pitcher like a true Sommerfielder."