The Forgotten Ones

television, I joined Gram at the kitchen counter where she was chopping a cucumber and adding it to a salad.
    “I heard something in the woods,” I explained. “I guess Mom followed me outside.”
    Gram continued chopping. “Hmm…that’s strange. Was there anything out there?”
    “Just some birds squabbling,” I said, grabbing a cucumber slice. “But that reminds me. Ethan told me he’s building a house on that empty plot?”
    Gram placed the knife on the counter and wiped her hands on a towel. She looked into my eyes and smiled. It wasn’t a happy smile, but a silent plea for understanding.
    “You’re wondering why Pop and I didn’t tell you about selling the property. I understand.”
    “I know it’s none of my business, but it was just a surprise.”
    “No, of course, it’s your business. That land was supposed to be your mother’s, just like the property on the other side belongs to Aunt Jessie,” she said. “Pop and I talked it over, and we decided to sell it to Mr. McKeown. He paid more than twice what we asked for it, and we’re putting the profit in an account for your mother’s future.”
    I nodded and smiled. They had tried to give the land to me after my high school graduation. I hadn’t wanted it then, and I didn’t want it now. Their plan was definitely a good use for it. But the fact that Liam was the one to instigate it shot off major warning bells in my mind. But I couldn’t tell her that…
    “Is this for me to bring to the cookout?” I asked, changing the subject.
    She glanced up at me, then continued chopping. “It is.”
    “I don’t have to go, if you and Pop want to instead,” I offered. “You guys are always cooped up here.”
    Gram placed the knife on the counter again and turned to look me in the eye. “Don’t be silly, Allison.” She bent to pull a box of plastic wrap out of the bottom drawer.
    “I’m not!” I laughed, knowing exactly what I was doing, but continuing anyway. “I don’t mind staying home. Cookouts aren’t really my thing.”
    “You’re going to that party, and you’ll have a good time. I don’t want to hear another thing about it.”

    The driveway at the Magliaro house was twice as full as it had been for the last cookout. There were even cars parked down the street. Nicole had warned me that in addition to family and co-workers, several of the Magliaro’s clients would be there too, networking opportunity that it was. She saved a spot for me right on the lawn in front of Jeff’s Jeep, though, so I scooted past the parked cars toward the house.
    There were people of all ages everywhere I looked, kids running around the enormous yard, elderly women sitting in the shade of an ancient oak tree. As I walked by the floor-to-ceiling living room window, I could see that inside was just as crowded. Climbing the steps of the deck, I heard my name being called.
    “Allison!” Joanne waved at me from one of the French doors leading inside. I smiled and went to say hello. As I approached, she opened the screen door and ushered me inside.
    “Hello, sweetheart. I’m so glad you made it. Let me get that for you,” she said warmly, taking the salad out of my hands.
    I followed her through the mass of people into the kitchen. She put the salad down on the center island, which was already crowded with similar dishes.
    “How’s your mom?”
    “Pretty good today. The nurse came yesterday to take out her stitches.”
    “Good. That’s good, honey. I really am glad you could come today.” Her expression turned mischievous. “Ethan told me you two went to DeeDee’s the other night. I always knew he had—”
    “What did you always know, Mom?” Ethan appeared from nowhere, poking my side and making me jump.
    “Ethan! It’s not polite to eavesdrop!” Joanne laughed as she smacked him.
    “Hey, now—no hitting!” He rubbed his chest. “And I wasn’t eavesdropping, I just wanted to come greet our guest.”
    “All right, all right. I get the hint,” Joanna said. “Have a good time, Allison. I’ll talk to you later.”
    Ethan looked down at me then. His eyes skimmed over my tank top and then back up to my face. “Hey.”
    “Hey,” I mumbled, embarrassed at the smoldering look in his eyes.
    That was as much of a greeting as I would get, though, because Nicole and Jeff walked over then.
    “There you are, Al!” Nic wrapped me in a hug. “Did you have anything to eat yet?”
    “Um, no. I just got here,” I said, extricating