The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

Maryellen’s mother rewards our contest win with orange popsicles, sending us outside so we don’t get sticky guck on her clean kitchen. Mr. Larkin’s boss, Mr. Winkler, and his wife are coming tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner.

The next morning, I wake to turkey roasting, pies baking, and yeast rolls rising. Mrs. Larkin must’ve been up for hours.

In the kitchen, Mr. and Mrs. Larkin discuss the Winklers’ arrival, late afternoon, and a boss who’s nice, if businesslike. Maryellen decides he must be stuffy like TV bosses, and Beverly guesses the Winklers are rich and fancy. Maryellen jokes we’ll call her Mrs. Minkler if she wears jewels and furs, and we all giggle.

Mrs. Larkin tells us to mind our manners, calling him “sir” and her “ma’am,” and to keep Scooter out of the way. Mr. Larkin remembers the Winklers are bringing their dog, and she rolls her eyes.

In the living room, Carolyn bangs on the piano, singing Elvis. Mrs. Larkin sends Beverly to quiet her since Mikey, fussing over his coming molars, has finally fallen asleep. Maryellen tells me Carolyn’s been swoony for Elvis since his Daytona Beach concerts, sure he’ll be the king of rock ’n’ roll.

The music barely stops before Maryellen’s oldest sister, Joan, arrives with her husband, Jerry, crowding the kitchen further. Mr. Larkin, feeling sorry for his wife, suggests we all go to Cypress Gardens so she and Mikey can rest. Everyone cheers quietly.

Maryellen reminds Mom how much she loves Cypress Gardens, its flowers and its water-skiing show. Mrs. Larkin says she can go another time and Maryellen can enjoy it for her. I flinch at “skiing,” but it’s just a show. No one will ask me to ski.

Maryellen insists I’ll love Cypress Gardens, calling it paradise. I hate to disappoint her, but it occurs to me that this could be our chance to repay Mrs. Larkin’s kindness. Should Maryellen and I stay behind, get the house ready for Thanksgiving, and watch Mikey so Mrs. Larkin can go to Cypress Gardens and rest?