As Wholesome as Potato Pie

Olivia meets Greg's family at a SuperBowl party where she competes in a side dish contest.

Olivia stood in front of the door, the sweet potato chili slightly shaking in her trembling hands. “I think I brought the wrong thing.”

“They’re going to love you,” Greg said. He put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him and planting a kiss on the top of her head.

He always knew what she meant. However, it felt as if he were fidgeting with nerves as well. She let out the breath she’d been holding and knocked on the door.

Amelia flung open the door, her voice booming, “You made it!”

“Of course, Ma, I always do.” He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, then gestured toward Olivia. “This is Olivia.”

“Nice to meet–” Olivia was cut off by Amelia pulling her into a hug, the chili sloshing dangerously between them.

“Greg and Olivia are here!” she cried, already disappearing into the living room. The Super Bowl had already started, and she rushed to get in front of the screen.

“Who’s Olivia?” one man asked.

“I think that’s Greg’s new fling,” another answered.

“She’s pretty for his normal type,” the first man said with a guffaw.

Olivia felt her skin turning scarlet and hot, and she leaned into Greg, who guided her to the kitchen. “Sorry, my brothers are pigs,” he whispered in her ear.

Once in the quiet of the kitchen, she struggled to find a place for the crockpot of sweet potato chili among all the other potato dishes. There was potato salad, scalloped potatoes, latkes, sweet potato casserole, and even plain potato chips. Greg’s family always had a food theme to their Super Bowl parties, and his parents would decide whose dish was the best. The owner of the dish would take home the coveted football trophy (purchased from the dollar store) and bragging rights.

It was a sweet tradition, but it added another layer to meeting Greg’s family for the first time.

As they left the kitchen, Edgar popped into the living room from the outdoor patio area with beers in hand and handed them to Greg and Olivia. “Thanks, Pop. This is Olivia,” Greg said.

“Of course she is!” Edgar enveloped her in a hug just as welcoming as Amelia’s, and Olivia almost cried with gratitude for their kindness.

Greg introduced Olivia to his brothers, their wives, and various aunts, uncles, and family friends. There were so many people that Olivia felt like her head was swimming. She was happy that the main reason for the part was the football game, which was successfully keeping everyone’s attention.

As soon as half-time started, the house filled to bursting with conversations. “Does your family have any fun Super Bowl traditions?” Alex, Greg’s oldest brother, asked.

“Not really.” Olivia didn’t want to get into the fact that she didn’t really have family. Her parents had passed away in a car accident when she was young, and she’d floated from foster family to foster family. In fact, she envied Greg’s family, a close family like his is all she ever wanted. She changed the subject by asking, “So, what football team is your favorite?”

Suddenly, cacophony erupted as all conversations devolved into an argument over team stats. It now made sense why the jerseys around her all showed different teams. There were only a few Seahawks and Patriots, the actual teams playing, scattered throughout the group. Olivia felt dread snake down her spine as she worried she said the wrong thing, but Greg squeezed her hand. She looked up at him, and he gave her a wink. She smiled.

The second the game was over, Amelia and Edgar burst from the kitchen. “The time has come to announce the winner of the potato dish contest. We had some great contenders this year. We had the mashed potato volcano.”

“The uncooked potatoes in the form of Mister and Misses Potato Head, not edible, but nice try,” Edgar said.

“The potato chips were clever, but I’d implore you to try harder next year,” Amelia said, shooting Owen, Greg’s younger brother, a pointed look. To which he put a hand over his heart in mock hurt.

“Anyway, our winner is… drumroll please!” Amelia continued as everyone slapped their hands to their thighs in an imitation drum roll. Olivia snuck a glance at Greg and realized he looked as if he were holding his breath, as if he were the most invested person in the outcome. He reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze.

“Olivia!” Amelia and Edgar shouted together. “The blending of sweet and savory flavors won us over. Did the chili have nutmeg in it?”

As Olivia vigorously nodded, Greg grabbed her, squeezing her tight against him, and kissed her. “I knew you could do it!”

Edgar thrust the trophy into Olivia’s hands. It was a high she knew nothing would come close to.

Soon after the winner was announced, people began saying their goodbyes and heading out. All of them wished Greg and Olivia farewell, giving her a hug as they left.

After a brief chat with his parents, they were the last to leave. When the front door shut behind them, Greg pulled Olivia into another hug.

“Wow, you seem more invested in the outcome than I was!”

Greg pulled back, but kept her in his arms. “I have a confession.”

He looked so grave that Olivia held her breath.

“It wasn’t a real contest; there was only one real contender. If they didn’t pick your dish, it would mean they didn’t approve. Olivia, they picked your chili as the winner.” He paused. “It means you’re part of the family. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I didn’t want to scare–”

Before he could finish his sentence, she squeezed him tight as a brilliant love and overwhelming joy swelled in Olivia’s heart to bursting. Part of the family.

Word Count: 979