Page 38 of The New Place

“Dad, do I need to buy stock in avocados?”

“Just one more,” Dan says, though two are already sliced in half in front of him.

“Pegs, go set the table,” Ned says. “Baxter, did you drink all your water? I just filled it.”

“Bowls for the ice cream,” Peggy says. “And spoons. And worm utensils.”

“Plates, Peggy. We’re having tacos,” Ned says.

“Ned, you didn’t tell us Henry’s moving down here,” Dan says.

“You told Dad about Newbury?” Ned asks.

“I’ll just check the fish,” Abbot says.

“Newbury?” Cheryl comes into the kitchen. “Newbury University?”

“Henry, that’s incredible,” Dan says.

“That’s so close by,” Cheryl says. “And what a school that is.”

“I didn’t realize that’s where you found a spot to work,” Dan says. “Congratulations. Look at you. Newbury, wow.”

“I don’t think it’s nearly that certain,” Abbot says quickly.

“It kind of is,” Ned says. “If you want it to be.”

“But Adams—” Abbot starts.

“No, we’re ignoring that.” Ned scrunches up his nose.

“Ignoring what?” Dan asks. “Honey, I was just telling Henry we’ll miss having Ned here, but you know what that means.”

“What does that mean?” Ned asks. “What’s happening to me?”

Cheryl touches Dan’s arm. “I do know what that means.”

“I wasn’t actually thinking Newbury,” Abbot says, but neither of them are listening anymore.

“This fall,” Dan says. “Right? Summer down the Cape, playoffs, and then⁠—”

“We are not scheduling around baseball playoffs,” Cheryl says.

“It’s the Sox’s year,” Dan says.

“It’s our year,” Cheryl says. “We’re thinking of doing some traveling.”

“That’s great,” Ned says. “Where?”

“Italy,” Cheryl says as Dan says, “Australia.”

“That’s…” Ned looks between them. “Not maybe the same trip.”

“And I’d just love to see Switzerland too,” Cheryl says.

“Kangaroos,” Dan says.

“You should come this summer when Ned does,” Abbot says. He hasn’t even thought of Dan and Cheryl visiting at the same time. The entire family there and—he can’t help but smile. And with grandparents on hand to help with Peggy, maybe he and Ned could have some time alone. A part of the vacation for just the two of them.