Rob brings us our food and glares at my brother. “Since I can see you’re no Einstein and your powers of observation seem to stop working when it’s not work-related, I’m going to give you a little insight into a woman’s mind. When you see a woman who doesn’t usually do her makeup and hair all fancy like, don’t fucking ask why she’s got it on her face. Tell her she looks good and let that be the fucking end of it. I swear, how you got two women to marry you is beyond me.” The younger brother in me can’t keep quiet. “The two he married weren’t human women. They were bottom-dwelling Medusas who are like cockroaches and never die.”
I’m not sure who Jeremy’s glaring at more as he stands up, but he looks down at Rob. “Duly noted.” The bastard looks over at me. “For your commentary, you can pay for breakfast. Some of us still have to go to work now.” I stand up, take out my wallet, and hand Rob enough to cover our bill and a sizable tip.
“Rob, tell that son of yours that I’m gonna stop by tomorrow and pick up that wood splitter from him.”
Rob gives me a nod. “Will do. Good luck with grumpy. I have a feeling his mood ain’t gonna get any better today.”
As I walk out, I remind her, “Darlin’, I’m retired. I ain’t gotta go to work with his ass anymore!” She laughs as I head to the door with a quick wave goodbye to Millie. As I step outside, I see Jer’sleaning against his truck. I think we were all grateful when the department switched out the old patrol cars with the SUVs and pickups it now has. They work so much better in all the weather we get, especially the mud and rain.
I walk up to my truck, which is parked next to him, and can tell he’s deep in thought. I lean against my truck and wait him out. When he’s thinking like this, it’s always best to let him work things through and speak when he’s ready. Dad was the same way. After a minute or so, Jer looks at me. “Did I hurt Millie’s feelings? I wasn’t trying too. I was just surprised she was all dolled up when she’s never that way this early in the morning. Also, what the hell did Rob mean about something being right in front of me for years?” Big brother isn’t this clueless in any other aspect of his life. I swear, Mom must have dropped him on his head as a baby.
I’m not gonna lay it all out for him because he’s gotta work some shit out for himself. “She wasn’t wrong about just tellin’ a woman she looks nice or pretty when you’re surprised like that. It’s like when our kids were little and would blurt out shit about people at the grocery store. You know the embarrassing things little kids say? Well, Sheriff, that was the grown-up version. As to that other part she said, think about it. You’re smart, and I have faith in you that you’ll figure it out.”
Jer opens his mouth and I know he’s gonna argue or say some sort of smartassery, but his radio squawks to life and Sandicomes over the radio. “Sheriff, you got a copy?” I can tell by the tone of her voice that she’s had a morning, and she’s only been on for an hour. Jeremy clicks his radio. “Yeah, watcha got, Sandi? You know I’m not technically on for another thirty minutes.”
Gotta love small counties. I can tell by the way she clicks back that something’s going down. “Need you in the office. I’ve spent the last fifteen minutes watching Wanda and Ray try to evade Deputy Wood, Crawley, and Parsons. They both came in asking about court dates. Wanda’s got an outstanding warrant, and you know Ray will get in the mix however he can. Now they’re disrobing and throwing their clothes at the officers.” Before Jeremy can stop laughing and respond, Sandi continues, “They were dressed as Christmas elves. I have not had enough fucking caffeine to see their jiggly asses running around, wearing striped socks and hats with fucking bells on them!” Okay, that I would pay good money to see.
My brother, knowing just how miserable Sandi could make his life, calms his laughter before he answers her. “I’m at the diner and just finished. If you call in an order to Sooner or Later, I’ll grab it on my way in. My treat.” He’s worked with her for enough years to know caffeine is the way to her heart. My phone dinging with an incoming text has me waving my goodbyes as he continues to talk to Sandi on his radio, and I hop in my truck.
I look at my phone and I see it’s Luke.
Luke: Had a couple of things I wanted to talk over with you. Was wondering if you had a few minutes sometime today?
Me: Absolutely. I’ve got to be at the clubhouse for an hour or so waiting on a delivery. Want to come by there? Wait, you aren’t about to tell me you got a hookup pregnant or something along those lines, are you? I’d like to mentally prepare myself instead of being shocked speechless, like your brother caused.
Luke: LOL. No, nothing like that at all. I’m smarter than he was at eighteen. Hell, I’m smarter now. I can meet you there. I’ll be there in thirty.
Me: Thank you for not giving me a heart attack. I appreciate that. See ya soon.
Now the million-dollar question is, what the hell is going on with Luke? Whoever said you stop being a parent when your kids become adults lied out of their asses.
Romona
I pull into my driveway and park. I turn my SUV off and just sit in the quiet for a few minutes. I love doing craft day at the school. I used to do it a few times a year, typically around Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. However,with changes in the schools over the years and my preference for a slower pace in life, I’ve now limited it to just once a year at Christmas. I love having all the kids come in and create something with their own hands to give to someone they love. It warms my heart knowing that for some of them, it’s the only gift they’re going to be able to give their loved one.
I’ve always found that giving something you’ve made means so much more than just buying something. I’m always hopeful that I can provide these kids with at least one good day to keep in their memories for years.
I know some kids couldn’t care less about today, but it’s the one or two who it means the world to that keep me coming back.
It was great to have Zaria come in with her class. My heart almost leaped out of my chest when I heard her telling someone that I was her new grandma, and that’s why she called me Mona and not Ms. Johanson like everyone else. I know that probably is not a good euphemism to make as someone who’s had an actual heart attack, but it’s the only one that fits the moment.
I love this day, but I can honestly say it wears me out. I love kids, but I think most days I’m suited for less than thirty at a time. I love the painting classes that I teach, and I can’t wait till Mikayla is old enough to start doing arts and crafts.
I just about jump out of my skin when there’s a knock on my window. I look over and see Erik grinning at me. I open the door, glaring at him, which makes him burst out laughing. Heshakes his head as I get out and stand in front of him. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. You had to be in your own world ‘cause I called your name a few times and nothing. Then you jumped so high I thought you were gonna hit the roof of the Tahoe.” He pulls me into a one-armed hug. “I truly am sorry. I didn’t mean to scare ya like that.” I know out of all the people I know, he’s the least likely to scare me on purpose.
I give him a squeeze back. “I know. How about we go inside and I make us some coffee? I can feel it’s about to start raining.”
Erik looks at the sky and nods. “Lead the way. I have somethin’ I’d like your opinion on and I think it’s best discussed over coffee.”
As soon as the coffee is ready, I pour two mugs full, bring them to the table, and grab the creamer from the fridge. Before I sit down, I look at him to gauge how serious a conversation he needs to have. “Did you want a little somethin’ somethin’ in our coffee or are we staying sober for this conversation?”
Erik gives me a big smile. “It’s the holiday season, and this isn’t that serious a conversation. Bring on the booze.” Well, alrighty then. I grab the bottle of whiskey from the cabinet, bring it to the table, and set it down next to the creamer. Erik doctors up both mugs and pushes one back toward me. I take a sip, and I ask, “So what’s goin’ on, mister?” He leans back in his chair and looks at me over his mug. “I don’t know what to get Grant for Christmas. The man is beyond difficult to buy for! I need help, and I knowyou always give the best gifts. Help a friend out, Ro.” I try to hide my chuckle as Erik looks like a lost little puppy who needs a home right about now. “Did you ask Jonah, his boys, or even Kinsley?”
He sighs like he’s got the world on his shoulders. I swear now that he doesn’t hide his emotions as much, they all just come out. It’s refreshing to see what being in loveandbeing with the right person does to him. “Yeah, I asked them, but they just told me impersonal stuff like tools and things for his bike. This is our first Christmas together, and I want to do something more meaningful, especially since I know he’ll get me something with some thought behind it. I don’t want to get him stuff that his kids could just as easily give him.”
I take a sip as I think for a minute. “What if you get him a trip somewhere? Something for you two to do together, just the two of you. Go on a cruise or go to Europe or something?”
Erik shakes his head at me. “He won’t fly. Claims felons shouldn’t be flyin’.” I scoff at that. “He’s been off parole since Samson and Saxon were toddlers. They’re over thirty now.”
