Sourmelina

Whenever company came over for Sunday dinner, however, Sourmelina greeted them with the overdressed baby pinned to her shoulder, the perfect accessory.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

At the sight of Theodora, Sourmelina spread her arms and crooned, “Chryso fili!” — snatching her golden girl from Desdemona and covering her face with kisses.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

“Maybe you should try guessing the weather,” Sourmelina teased her.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

Sourmelina was bad with babies but terrific with teenagers.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

As Sourmelina, back from New Mexico for the holidays, plays the egg game with Mrs. Watson, my father lets out a small groan, rolls sideways off my mother, and declares, “That should do it.”

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

At secondhand shops, Sourmelina gravitated to Vegas showgirl outfits.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

She noted the attention Milton paid to Tessie whenever Tessie came over for dinner with Sourmelina.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

In 1922, however, Sourmelina was only twenty-eight.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

If Sourmelina had always been a European kind of American, a sort of Marlene Dietrich, then Tessie was the fully Americanized daughter Dietrich might have had.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002

I see Sourmelina, heating up a tin of wax on the stove.

Middlesex Eugenides, Jeffery 2002