A smaller group had formed around the end of the couch, telling more stories.
"Didn't we all go for a hayride on one of Grandpa's old rickety hayracks?"
"It was so warm that day. I don't think any of us had our coats on. Even the little ones."
"Yeah, and Uncle John tried to show off—"
"—and almost fell off that hay bale."
"He was doing some dance—"
"The Macarena!" half the group shouted in unison.
"Grandma was so mad. Didn't she start yelling at him right there in front of everyone?"
"I guess she's always gonna be Uncle John's mom. All moms like to yell at their kids."
"Yeah, because they love them, doofus."

Listening thoughtfully up to this point, Grandpa chimed in. "That's how our family is, but other people do things differently. That's what makes life so interesting."

"I think that's weird. Everyone should have a family like ours."
Sam's grandpa smiled patiently at the young cousin. "I think the important thing is to have a family period."

"Whatever." The young cousin had apparently lost interest in the conversation.

"Whatever, indeed." Sam's grandpa again looked up at Maggie. "Whatever is a good start."