Melody (Logan 1)

the Dimarcos. May, Cary, and I were to eat first and

be gone by the time the adults sat at the table. I

thought that was a blessing and was grateful for a

meal without Uncle Jacob glaring at me as if I were

one of th

e Jezebels he saw on every corner.

However, late in the afternoon, Cary and Uncle

Jacob returned home in a very happy mood.

Apparently, they had one of their best days at sea, a

catch of fifteen lobsters as well a dozen good-size

striped bass.

To celebrate, Cary declared that he, May, and I

were going to enjoy a real New England feast: clam

chowder, steamed muscles, grilled striped bass,

potatoes, and vegetables. Cary said he would prepare

the fish himself outside on the barbecue grill.

"Mother's busy with her own dinner. We can have our

own picnic,' he said.

"Fine," I told him.

"It won't be as exciting as the beach party, I'm

afraid."

"I said, fine."

He nodded and told May, who was very pleased

with the idea.

"You two can set the picnic table, if you like." I nodded without smiling, even though I was

happy with the idea.

Cary went about preparing the meal

meticulously. He was much better at it than I had

expected. None of the boys I had known in West

Virginia knew the first thing about preparing fish and