“It’s Hanoi…but how did it get to be my turn again?” Grant shrugged. “I was enjoying watching David make a mockery of the value of a West Point education.”
“I knew the answer, Punk!” David protested.
Grant grinned, sensing his father’s agitation and his brother’s frustration. “You’re a disgrace of a namesake, a disgrace to your alma matter and a disgrace to your country,” Grant declared.
Randy laughed heartily.
“Hello?” David threw his arms up. “I have feelings here, you know, Dad?” He balled up a napkin and threw it at his brother. “I knew the answer, Grant! Don’t be a jerk!”
“My turn! My turn!” Hailey said excitedly when the game worked its way back around to her.
“Uruguay?” Randy fired at her, obviously impressed with her fresh enthusiasm for the game that was the nemesis of the kids who had endured endless hours trapped in the car with the general.
Hailey frowned.
“Oh, come-on, Dad! You finally found someone who enjoys your game, and you give her Uruguay?” Grant protested.
“May I use a lifeline?” Hailey smiled, and Randy actually laughed with delight.
“Of course,” he nodded.
“No fair,” Emily teased.
“Yeah, that was never allowed before,” David added.
“You never asked, Dummy,” Randy shrugged.
“I’d like to call my boyfriend,” Hailey announced matter-of-factly, with no less conviction than if she had been sitting across from Regis himself. She leaned over, and Grant whispered the answer in her ear.
“Are you lying to me to make me look silly?” Hailey grinned.
“No,” Grant smiled back.
“Say it again?” Hailey insisted as she leaned her ear closer to his lips. “Montevideo?” she repeated out loud.
Grant affirmed her pronunciation with a slight nod.
Hailey turned to Randy and said with absolute confidence, “I believe the capital of Uruguay is Montevideo.”
“Smart boyfriend,” Randy smiled.
“Everyone please amend your mental rulebooks to note that lifelines were just officially instated,” David grinned.
“Grant, what is the capital of Turkey?” Randy asked.
“It’s not my turn,” Grant shrugged. “I answered that one, so I get skipped this round.”
“Grant, what’s the capital of Turkey?” Randy asked again.
“Anyone want hot chocolate?” Nora suggested, standing.
“Me!” all the girls sang out at once.
“Okay then,” Nora smiled. “Joanna, will you give me a hand please, Sweetheart?”
“Grant?” Randy said sternly.
“Sure, I’ll take some hot chocolate, Dad,” Grant shot back. “Thanks for asking!”
“He doesn’t want to play, Randy,” Nora called nonchalantly.
“He’s just trying to make me angry,” Randy snapped back.
“May I use a lifeline?” Grant replied stubbornly.
“You are just full of laughs today, aren’t you?” Randy huffed.
“Dad, leave him alone,” David sighed.
“Have a cookie, Daddy,” Rachel offered.
“It would be totally funny if the capital of Turkey was like Cheese,” Wally snorted.
“Father of your grandchild,” Grant gestured with his head. “Safe to say, you have bigger problems than me, right?”
“What’s the answer?” Randy boomed.
“What happened to that time limit you guys put in place?” Melissa interjected as she cuddled Leah in her lap.
