One weekend, George and Amelia got a call from George’s mother. Since George worked in finance, she wanted George to take a look at some silver dollar coins she’d come across to see if they were worth anything.
George and Amelia were happy to go over! George was very impressed with the silver dollar collection.
“Oh, yes, Mom,” George said. “These coins are definitely worth something to a collector. Not a huge amount, but more than a dollar each, that’s for sure.”
“That’s wonderful to hear!” his mother said. “Oh, look! I just happened to make a big batch of cookies this morning. You don’t happen to want some, do you?”
“I’d love some!” Amelia said.
“And I was just about to heat up some soup and make some sandwiches,” she added. “I wonder if you wanted to stay and have some?”
“No, no, Mom,” George said. “Amelia and I have some errands to run.’
“George,” Amelia whispered. “We should stay. Your mom is lonely.”
“What?” George looked over at his mother surrepticiously. “Really?”
Amelia nodded.
“Yes, please, Mrs. Frog!” Amelia said. “We’d love to stay to lunch. It’s been too long since we’ve had a good visit, and I wanted to get your advice on pollywogs.”
“That would be wonderful!” Mrs. Frog said, beaming a smile at them.
Amelia had a feeling that even when pollywogs grew up, moms could get lonely.
Amelia’s mother-in-law and father-in-law lived in a big estate outside of the city, and they had a wonderful collection of art.
Mrs. Frog was a very keen collector, and Amelia was a little bit intimidated. She had not grown up with expensive things like art collections. She’d grown up in a little house on a little street. The entire family had shared one bathroom. The only art they had was made from popsicle sticks at school when they were little.
While Mrs. Frog and George chatted about George’s many cousins, Amelia took a moment with some dinosaur wood carvings.
“Do you like those?” Mr. Frog asked.
Amelia startled. “I’m sorry, Mr. Frog. Maybe I shouldn’t have been touching those.”
“Hogwash,” Mr. Frog said. “We want you to be comfortable here, you know.”
“Thank you,” Amelia said shyly. “But I don’t want to break anything.”
Mr. Frog put his hands in his pockets and looked at Amelia thoughtfully.
“Amelia, since George and his mother have their heads together, what would you think of watching some TV with me?”
“Ok!” Amelia said. “What would you like to watch?”
What did wealthy older frogs watch? She couldn’t even guess!
“How about Family Feud?” he asked. “Or Wheel of Fortune? I love game shows, but no one will watch them with me here.”
“I love them, too!” Amelia said with a bright smile.
“I have an accomplice!” Mr. Frog said happily. “Come on, then. I’ll scrounge us up a snack, and we’ll watch some quality television.”
Somehow this grand house didn’t seem quite so intimidating after all. Family Feud seemed to make a big, rambling mansion into a home.
That evening, back at home, Amelia brushed her teeth before getting ready for bed.
“I think your mom and dad like me,” Amelia said to George.
“Of course, they like you!” George said. “What’s not to like?”
“Well, I’m not one of those frogs who came from a wealthy family,” Amelia said. “And I don’t know which fork to use at dinner. And I don’t know how to dress in those lovely gowns your mother wears to fancy parties, and…”
“Oh, Amelia!” George said. “I don’t know how to dress in fancy gowns, either!”
Amelia burst out laughing at George’s little joke.
“Should I try and learn?” she asked.
“If we ever have a fancy party to attend, my mother will take you under wing,” George replied. “But honestly? They’re a little intimidated by YOU!”
“Why?” she gasped.
“You’re a successful editor!” he said. “And you’re smart, and you know how regular people think. And they overheard the maid saying that she loves Patricia Johns’s books, and that everyone knows you’re the brilliant editor who works with her. And the cook agreed! The gardener even chimed in saying that Patricia says the most wonderful things about you on social media.”
“Oh, my…” Amelia blushed. “Well, that’s nice.”
“Besides,” George said. “So long as you watch Family Feud with my dad, you’ll be his favorite.”
Amelia liked the sound of that.
“And you’re already my favorite,” George said with a grin. “Pass the toothpaste, please.”
I hope you are enjoying the adventures of our Knitted Newlyweds. If you like feel-good stories about romance, family drama, and happy families, check out my books! You just might find your next read!
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Happy reading!
❤
Patricia Johns 
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