When a quick honk came from outside, Penny said, “I’ll be back on Thursday to work on a project with Priss.”
“Night, Penny,” I said, wondering how these girls got so wise. I was decades older than them, and clearly not as smart.
The thought stayed with me as I went upstairs and checked on Priscilla. She needed some help brushing her teeth and getting comfy in bed. I sat with her a bit before she dozed off, and then I padded back downstairs.
Debating a second glass of wine, I prepped the coffee maker for the morning and did a quick inventory of the fridge. My girl and I had been on a steady diet of takeout the last couple of days, and we needed to re-engineer our life as just the two of us.
Priscilla and me against the world.
Mumbling, “Screw it,” I poured myself a small glass of cabernet and sat at the kitchen counter. As I sat my butt in the same stool Mick had sat in the night before, my mind worked overtime.
I could cross off any relationship with my family. Tommy had asked me to discuss potential visits with Priscilla, and she’d firmly said, “No.” He’d countered with an occasional dinner, and she’d said she would think about it.
Sheila was like the sister I’d never had. Even Dale had called to check on me, saying he’d spoken with Sheila, and now he was somehow in our inner circle of trust. Basically, I’d gone from keeping a secret life from my family, to having no family to count on but a motley crew of friends who were willing to die on the hill for me. Mick included in this group.
As if I’d conjured him up, my phone dinged.
Can I call? You up?
Remembering he was in New York City for the night, I responded with a quickYes.
My phone rang, and I picked up with a wine-laden, “Hello.” Setting the phone on the counter, I put it on speaker phone and toggled the volume to low.
“Hello there to you.”
“I just got home a little while ago,” I said with the comfort of a couple who’d spent decades together. I didn’t know how Mick did that ... he settled all my nerves and anxieties.
“Oh, right, the parents’ meeting. Like the night we had the drink. Did you miss me sitting behind you at the bar?”
“Well, this time I was actually able to concentrate on what they were discussing.”
“I’ll bet. But still, I’d rather be there with you.”
“How’s the Big Apple?” I asked, then took a sip of wine.
My body flooded with warmth and my heart beat faster. Not sure if it was from the alcohol or Mick’s voice, I decided it must be the latter.
“All business and no fun. This place sucks you up in the rat race. I did have a great meal prepared by this chef we wooed.”
“Sounds busy and delicious. I’m downing a second glass of wine and telling myself to go to bed.”
“How’s Priscilla?”
I smiled at how kind Mick was being to my daughter. I didn’t know if he genuinely liked her or simply felt bad for her because he understood her position.
“I can hear you drumming up arguments in your head through your silence,” Mick said, calling out my pause.
“She’s good. Resting. Wants to get back to school, so we’re going to try on Friday. It’s a half day, so a good day to try. Until then, they email all her work.”
“When I get back, I’m going to bring sushi over. Tomorrow around seven?”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer. I also can’t wait to bring you here for a day or two with no work.”
“That would be nice, but I think we are a little ways off.”
“No rush on my part. Priscilla has to be settled, and you too.”
