“I think so. We have to see if Cheryl will watch the girls, but I’m pretty sure she’s a yes.”
“I could use some backup,” I tell her.
“She can’t be that bad,” Iris says, entering the conversation about Betty.
Tate laughs and reaches out, patting Iris’s hand. “She’s not bad, but she’s persistent—though, it’s worth it for her eggplant parm. But don’t eat anything else.”
“Why?” Iris asks Tate.
“She’s an awful cook, but thankfully, she can make eggplant like an expert.”
“Really?” Iris asks, glancing between us.
“It’s true,” I tell her. “Eat only the eggplant.”
“Okay. Well, I’m excited about it, but I wish we weren’t going there for the reason we are,” Iris says.
“I still can’t believe it. Brax told me everything when he called, and I’m still in shock.”
“I’m trying not to freak out,” Iris tells Tate.
Tate lifts the mug to her lips, but before she takes another sip, she says, “Malakai is something else, but I know Gramps will get it fixed for you. He’s good at things like that.”
“His past is very…colorful,” I add.
“How colorful?” Iris asks with raised eyebrows.
“He’s been to prison,” Tate tells her. “But that was a while ago. It seems like he finally has his shit together.”
“Wow,” Iris whispers. “That’s scary.”
“He’s not dangerous. He’s not Malakai. He just took some stupid risks, looking to make a quick buck,” I explain.
“I’m glad he’s not dangerous,” Iris says.
“He’s too old to be a real threat, even if he were still in the life,” Tate says.
“You going to say that to his face?” I ask my sister, knowing she’d never have the guts to actually tell my grandfather he was too old for anything.
“Um, no. I’m not stupid.”
“Sissy,” I say with a smirk aimed at my sister.
“I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“Oh yeah, because you care about people’s feelings,” I tell her, remembering all the times she’s stomped on people’s feelings with her big black leather boots.
Tate lifts a shoulder. “Sometimes I care, sometimes I don’t. Anyway, I think I picked out a few cute things that will fit you perfect,” she says to Iris, changing the subject. “My grandparents won’t care. They understand the situation.”
“I don’t think I understand the situation,” Iris says with a pained smile.
“It’ll be over soon,” I tell her. “I promise.”
Her smile softens, looking more like her real smile. “I believe you,” she says as she slips off the stool and grabs the bag Tate brought. “I’m going to try on some of the clothes.”
“We’ll be here,” Tate tells her. “I’ll stay in case none of it works and I have to make a trip to the store.”
“I don’t want to be a bigger problem than I already am.”
