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"It doesn't sound as if I'm going to enjoy myself very much," I muttered. She went white.

"Oh dear, never say such a thing. Please! Keep such thoughts under lock and key."

"Don't worry, Aunt Sara, I've never

embarrassed my parents. I won't embarrass you." I rose, my legs very reluctant, and left the house. Cary and May waited in the rear of the car. I got in beside May.

"How far away is it?" I asked Cary softly.

"About twenty minutes."

My teeth were actually chattering in anticipation of Grandma Olivia's disapproval and rejection. But why? I was finally going to meet my father's parents, my real grandparents. I should have been excited. All the grand-parents I ever heard of loved their grandchildren dearly.

But, I reminded myself, our family is different.

From the outside, my grandparents' house did not look cold and-impersonal. It was a large, wooden clapboard house.

Aunt Sara said that the house was very old and prestigious, the original portion having been built around 1780. Cary shook his head and raised his eyes toward the car ceiling when Aunt Sara went into her lecture about the house, a lecture I guessed Grandma Olivia had given her so many times it was stored forever in her memory.

The grounds were certainly the prettiest I had seen on the Cape. The beautifully cared for green lawn was uncommon, and the flower garden was the most elaborate with its baskets of gold, purple pansies, roses, and geraniums. There was a small duck pond to the right with about a dozen or so ducks in it. Most impressive were the large, blooming red maple trees. Between two on the far right was a bench swing with a canopy over it.

We stopped in the driveway and got out. Aunt Sara immediately brushed a loose strand of my hair back and straightened the shoulders of my dress. "Leave her be," Cary muttered.

She stood next to Uncle Jacob as he rang the bell, the three of us standing behind them. A moment later the door opened.

I set eyes on my grandfather for the first time in real life. Up until now, all I had seen was that old photograph of my daddy.

Grandpa Samuel was still a tall, straightstanding man with a proud, strong demeanor. I saw my daddy's resemblance in his face immediately. Daddy, as did Cary, shared his green eyes. Grandpa Samuel's hair was mostly gray, but he still had a full head of it. It was trimmed neatly at the ears and sides, with the top brushed back. There was a trace of a wave running through it.

Daddy had had the same straight, firm nose, but Grandpa Samuel's lips were thinner and his chin more carved. He had Daddy's large hands and long arms, and for a man his age, I thought he had very firm, full shoulders.

"Hello, Jacob, Sara," he said. He gazed past them quickly to focus on me. I thought I saw a small smile at the corners of his mouth, the same light and gentle twist that Daddy often had. He looked quickly at Cary and May. "Children."

"Hello, Papa," Cary said.

"Hello . . . Pa pa," May said.

"This is Melody," Aunt Sara said stepping to the side to bring me forward.

"Pretty girl. Lot of Haille in her, eh Jacob?"

"Aye," Uncle Jacob replied glancing at me.

"Hello, Melody," my grandfather said.

I didn't know whether I was to shake his hand or curtsey or just nod.

"Hello," I replied. "I'm pleased to meet you." I almost added, "finally." He nodded, holding that small smile on his lips.

"Well, come on in," he told us and stepped back. "Olivia's seeing to the brunch, of course."

We entered a short, marble-floored entryway with paintings on both sides: pictures of the Cape and boats, pictures of sailors. The house was full of the perfume of flowers.

Grandpa Samuel showed us to the room on the right, the sitting room. It looked like a showcase in a furniture store window. The oak floor was so polished I was sure I would be able to see my face in it if I looked down. On every table, on every shelf, there were expensive-looking glass pieces, vases, and occasionally, photos in silver and gold frames. I just glanced at them, but they looked like pictures of my grandfather and grandmother when they were younger, and some pictures of Uncle Jacob, Aunt Sara, Laura, Cary, and May. There were no pictures of Daddy.

"Sit with Cary and May over there," Aunt Sara instructed. We took the settee on the right. Grandpa Samuel sat in the chair and Aunt Sara and Uncle Jacob sat on the settee across from us. Although he kept his eyes on me, Grandpa Samuel spoke to Uncle Jacob.

"So how was your week, Jacob?"