h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Chapter 13

Even if Viola had forgotten about her birthday, KR3BS clearly had not, for the dinner that ensued was spectacular by any stretch of the imagination: trout almondine (using fish from the lake just north of the house), potatoes au gratin, ratatouille from vegetables just harvested from Grandma’s kitchen garden, and a marvelous four-story cake that had been delivered by the same anonymous admirer who had sent Viola the singing telegram.

Just before the first course was served, Grandpa cleared his throat and said, “My dear family, nothing makes me happier to have you here. I know that many of you have had your lives turned upside down lately. My own life hasn’t exactly been serene. Viola and Blake and Jasper, you are welcome to stay here as long as you want. As far as I’m concerned, this is your home now….”

There was an enigmatic smile on Grandpa’s face that meant he knew more than he was saying, Viola thought. What if another branch of the family challenged Grandpa’s will someday, forcing Viola out? Had Grandpa arranged something against that eventuality? She glanced at Blake, who seemed as unconcerned as Grandpa was.

Just as Viola was about to blow out the candles on the cake, there was a knock on the door. “Viola Mardachi?” said the messenger who stood in the doorway. “I have a whaling ship for you, a bequest from your late father’s will.”

Don’t you just hate it when people deliver whaling boats during dinner? Viola thought as she signed for the ship. “Where on Earth shall we put it?” she asked the rest of the family.

“Put it in the lake,” Grandpa urged.

“Won’t it need to be tied up at the dock?” Viola wondered.

Blake and Jasper offered to go out and tie it up. Grandpa joined them.

Great, thought Viola. Here is this birthday cake blazing merrily away, and half the family is out whaling. Grandma leaned toward her and said,“Viola, when I was a little girl I wanted to work on a whaling boat.”

“Wouldn’t that have been hard on the whales?” Viola exclaimed.

“Well, I thought of being the one who fed them. Come to think of it, wouldn’t it be cool to stand on the deck of a ship and feed the fish?”

Viola thought of a wish and blew out the candles.

["Nothing makes me happier *than* to have you here"]

[Amy P]

Grandma never ceases to surprise

Wait til you meet the rest of the family.