George smiled stiffly as he lifted his fluted glass of sparkling cider in a toast, but he felt like a fish out of water and longed to slip out unnoticed and forget this whole evening. To his relief, Willow invited him to help her get some things from the kitchen.
“I really don’t know what came over me,” he said quietly as she loaded his arms with chilled soda cans.
“I don’t either, but it was wonderful,” she told him. “You have no idea how difficult it’s been with my daughter these past couple days. I feel terrible to confess this, but I cannot wait for Josie and Garth to leave.”
“When are they going?”
“Garth mentioned tomorrow.” Willow slid open the freezer drawer.
“It’s hard to understand how such a fine young man...” George stopped himself, realizing he was about to insult Willow. After all, Josie was her daughter.
“Yes, I know what you were about to say, George. And I take some of the blame for my daughter’s bad behavior. Not all of it, mind you.” She removed a carton of ice cream with a stiff-looking smile. “It’s a long story. Maybe someday, if you’re interested, I’ll tell you about it.”
As George followed her back outside, he wondered ... Would he ever hear that story? Did he even want to hear it?Did he want to continue his involvement in this somewhat eccentric and unpredictable family? Again, he felt torn. On one hand, he knew he should run fast and hard in the opposite direction. But on the other hand ... there was Willow.
eleven
Willow was pleasantly surprised that George stayed so long. She hoped it wasn’t out of pity. The other guests, although they tried to hide it, had obviously been disturbed by Josie’s abrasive attack and, one by one, began excusing themselves. Marissa’s mother was the first one to leave, although she had a good excuse since she’d offered to drive Collin and Marissa to the bowling alley for the start of the senior all-night party. So the fact that George not only lingered but also offered to help her clean things up was rather touching.
“Your apartment is really nice,” he told her as he carried in the last of the party things. “Very homey.”
She thanked him then grimaced. She could hear the sounds of Garth and Josie next door—in what sounded like a heated argument.
“Is that normal?” George asked with a furrowed brow.
“I honestly don’t know.” She paused to listen. “I mean, I’ve heard them argue, but not quite as loud as this.” She cringed at a crashing sound. Had someone thrown something ... or was it something worse?
“Do you think your daughter is in any danger?”
“I’d be more worried about Garth,” she confessed. “Josie’s temper is pretty volatile. You saw a sample of that earlier.” Still, the truth was she didn’t know.
“Would you like me to go over there and say something to them?” George asked.
Willow blinked in surprise. “You’d really do that?”
He sighed. “I taught high school for nearly thirty years. I know a thing or two about these things.”
She set the last of the leftovers in the fridge. “Yes, I suppose you do. It’s just that I don’t see you like that, George. You act like such a quiet and mild-mannered gentleman.”
He nodded. “Well, now that I’m retired, I hope to enjoy a quiet and mild-mannered sort of life.”
Willow tried to read his expression. She knew the noises coming from the next apartment were disturbing him. But as much as she appreciated the offer, she didn’t really like the idea of him getting into the middle of some nasty domestic squabble. She jumped to hear the door slam, followed by loud footsteps going down the stairs. “Maybe they’ll cool off now.” She smiled gratefully.
“Well, then I guess I will say good night. Thank you for a most memorable evening.”
She shook her head. “I wanted it to be memorable. But not because of Josie’s hissy fit.”
George looked concerned. “That’s not what I meant.” He pointed toward the terrace. “I guess I didn’t mention it, but your outdoor space is quite wonderful, Willow.”
“Really? You like it?”
“I felt like I’d been transported to someplace else,” he said with sincerity. “Someplace truly beautiful.”
“Thank you!” She beamed at him. “You have no idea how much that means to me. And I hope you’ll come see it again, George. It’s quite different in daylight. But still lovely, I think.”
He thanked her and said good night, and as she watched him go down the stairs, she wondered about Josie and Garth. Should she check on them? Perhaps, since it was so quiet over there, it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. But, she decided, as she closed and locked her door, if they got into it again, she had no problem calling the police to come check on them.
As Willow continued cleaning up after the party, she was relieved to hear footsteps, more quiet and controlled, coming up the stairs. Then she heard a door open and close, followed by silence. Hopefully Josie and Garth had patched things up. And hopefully they would leave first thing tomorrow morning, just like Garth had assured her they would do.
