In a Jam (Friendship, RI Book 1)

by Kate Canterbary

Gennie loudly sucked every trace of pudding off her spoon. “These balls feel really big in my mouth.” I met Shay’s gaze across the table. She gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head and rolled her lips inward to fight off a grin. “What was that?” I asked my niece. “The balls,” she replied, digging her spoon into the pudding once more. “They’re really big.” “I see,” I managed. “In the pudding,” she added. “They’re big tapioca balls. Momma’s pudding never had big balls.” Shay brought a hand to her mouth and stared down at the table. Her shoulders shook a little and I could hear the stuttering of a repressed laugh. “I still love this pudding.” Gennie sucked the spoon and stared off into the distance again. “Even if it’s not the same as my memories.” “Because of the balls,” Shay said, a laugh tearing through each word. I grabbed her wineglass and set it out of reach. “Hey! Give that back.” “I will when you behave yourself,” I said. “The balls feel different on my tongue,” Gennie continued, ignoring both of us. “But it tastes the same.” I jabbed a finger toward Shay as she wheezed with laughter. So often, she was the one to keep a straight face but that was falling apart before my eyes. I kind of loved it. “Stop that.” “I’m trying,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I am trying. I swear. I just—” She shot a sidelong glance at Gennie. “I can’t.” “Now that I’ve tried it, I think I like the big balls,” Gennie said. “I can bite them!” I caught Shay’s eye and we burst out...

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