“You mean save it for a rainy day?”
“No. I mean what I said. I’m not senile.”
I chuckle. “Okay.”
“There were years your dad didn’t have enough work to fill his day, and there were others he couldn’t keep up. You know how it is.”
I nod, although my dad left me a pretty thriving business. Especially when he started doing work outside of Sunrise Bay. By the time I took it over, we were well in the black with four employees under our belt. Now I have six full-time and four part-time employees. Usually in the summer months, college students help me build decks, pergolas, and other outdoor projects for people to enjoy the few short months we have of great weather.
“So you have the money?”
She nods. “I have the money. You don’t have to take care of me.”
“And the house? Are you putting it up on the market?”
She hems and haws. “That depends on you.”
“Me?” My forehead wrinkles. “I can’t afford this place.”
She moves my hand to her lap and covers our joined hands with her other one. This is her way of comforting me when she’s going to bring up a topic I don’t want to talk about. She did it when she told me about my dad’s passing, and after Laurie died, I felt as if we were statues in this position.
“I know you and Laurie bought that house you’re in now. It’s the only one the kids know. And I don’t blame you for wanting to stay there. This house does need remodeling, and most of the rooms haven’t been used in years. But you’re welcome to move in here. Your dad built it, so there’s no mortgage.”
I slide my hand out of hers and stand, walking to the back window. The pool hasn’t been opened in years and is covered with leaves and dirt. The concrete surrounding it more gray than white. She’s right about this place needing work, and that’s probably on me because I slacked off on my responsibilities over the years. I should have helped her more.
“You’re sure about moving?” I look back at her over my shoulder.
She nods. “You’ll understand when you’re as old as me. I need to be around people my own age.” She walks over to me and we both stare out the window. “I know it needs some work, but you’re a contractor.” We laugh. “Just think about it. No need to answer right now. It’s big enough for a large family though.”
“Each kid would have their own room,” I say.
“Or a few kids could share a room. It’s not the end of the world. Plus two will be out of the house next year.”
I look at her, confused by her math. Maybe she is going senile.
“Cade and Jed are going to college, no?”
“What are you talking about? Are you confusing Jed for Fisher?”
She rolls her eyes. “I listen to the radio too.”
I point at her.
She must realize I know because she laughs and backs up, holding up her hands. “Come on. It’s just a little push in the right direction.”
“And three of my boys aren’t talking to me right now because of it.”
She waves me off. “So what? They’ll get over it.”
“Cade is already struggling with Marla and the kids returning. Your stunt didn’t help.”
“It’s fun. People laugh. You and Marla don’t have to hide now.”
I inhale deeply, praying for patience. “I wasn’t going to hide, but the kids don’t want to hear about their dad and some woman making out in the bleachers.”
She points at me. “Well then maybe you two should be more discreet.”
I shake my head and push a hand through my hair. “Thanks for the tip. It wasn’t your story to share, Mom.”
She takes a rag lying on a box and wipes down the mantel, looking over her shoulder. “You’re my business. Your happiness is my utmost concern. Years from now, you’ll be laughing about it.”
“What are you, twelve? I think Dori’s a bad influence on you.”
She laughs, moving from the mantel to the end tables. “We have fun together.”
“You never would’ve done something like this before you started hanging around her.”
“This how you talk to your teenagers?” She continues to dust every wood surface in the room. “That’s the great thing about friends. They pull out sides of you, you didn’t know existed. Like Marla. She’ll probably pull out things about you. Let’s just hope it’s not your penis in public again.” She snickers.
My jaw drops. “Oh my God.”
“Relax.” She turns around to face me. “You’re taking it too seriously.”
“Because you put us in a bad position with the kids.”
“Like I said, they’ll get over it. They should want to see you happy, and I know that Marla makes you happy.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth when I think about her. She does make me happy, but we’re in that beginning stage of a relationship when everything is roses. What if it doesn’t last?
The front door opens and Xavier yells, “Grandma!”
“In here, sweetie,” she says.
In walks Xavier, Cade, and Fisher. I knew they’d never walk all the way home. None of them look my way as they cross the room and hug their grandma hello.
“Cookies are in the kitchen,” she says.
Xavier and Fisher walk out of the room first. Cade tries to move, but Mom grabs the sleeve of his jacket and tugs him back.
“You two are going to talk.” She points at me and him, then at the couch. “Sit.”
Cade might have a smart mouth with me, but not with his grandma, so he sits on the sofa without a word.
“I’m going to make sure they have chocolate milk.” She leaves us alone.
I would usually say
