all in the family

Ed could tell this was not going to be an easy 4th. There was the arrival of Betty's so-called sister that threw everything off.

"You didn't even know she was coming?" He looked at her blankly, but he'd figured out as much that it was a low blow to her emotions. She shook her head no.

"How long has it been since you've seen her?" Here he was thinking about ribs and steaks and going to the meat market with Omaha. Honestly, he didn't even know there was a meat market in this area. They planned to take a trip to Missouri too. Just to look at the fireworks. He hated to leave Betty now.

"Decades." She finally managed to say. She told him Linda was married to wealth and she hadn't seen her since her wedding back in the late 70's.

"Well? Did-Did you say anything about me?" He didn't mean to be selfish, but he really didn't want to be the butt of rude jokes either. He'd seen the woman's snooty looks. But she didn't look all that up scale. He thought on it for a moment. Not even wanting to hear Betty's answer. "Maybe -maybe she's changed."

Ed remained even lipped, wishing she was going on this shopping trip with him in Omaha. He was certain Betty would fall apart.

"Call the girls." He knew her daughters need to buffer the situation if they got in a heated argument about the past. Betty's bestie Doris was off in Iowa spending the 4th with her older son and his family. "I don't want you being alone with her."

He gave her a hug and then he kissed her as if it were the right thing to do. Of course, Linda showed up in the kitchen then.

He tucked Betty under his shoulder and could see clearly what the woman thought. He was just the help, wasn't he?

"I'll be back, shortly." He informed her. "Try to be nice to each other." His smile was open, but he left it at that after giving Betty one more kiss.