“You should come in next week and say hello,” Collin told him. “We’re having a little competition of getting customers signed up in the Book Nook Club.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a promotion that includes discount coupons and special invitations to Book Nook events.”
George nodded. “Well, I’ll be sure to come by.”
“Hello, Mr. Emerson.” Josie, looking much nicer than George had ever seen her, came over to join them. She had a plastic cup of red wine in one hand and cheese in the other. “Cool gathering, huh?”
“Yes, it’s very nice.”
“Free wine too.” She giggled.
“Looks like it’s time to cut you off,” Collin said a bit sharply.
“Says who, Junior?” Josie narrowed her eyes at him as she popped the cheese into her mouth.
“I’ll just go let Leslie know that you’ve had enough,” Collin said firmly.
“Butt out,” she said a bit too loudly.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” Collin said quietly. “I don’t think you’re planning on purchasing any—”
“Who died and made you the bouncer?” she snarled at him.
“Hey, you guys.” Marissa’s eyes grew wide. “Maybe you should take it outside.”
“Don’t tell me where to take it,” Josie shot back at her.
“Excuse me,” George said in his no-nonsense voice. “I don’t want to interrupt this family exchange.” He looked at Josie. “But I never got to see your apartment after it was all put back together. Any chance you’d show it to me tonight?”
Josie still looked like she wanted to punch her son in the face, but to George’s relief she turned to him and nodded. “Sure. I’ve seen enough of this art. Come on up and I’ll show you what I’ve been working on this week.”
George smiled at Collin and Marissa, then, without another word, took Josie by the arm and led her out. “You’re looking quite nice tonight,” he told her once they were outside.
“Thank you very much.” She tossed her empty cup into a nearby trash bin. “Right this way, Mr. Emerson. Come and have the grand tour of my crazy crayon box.”
George tried not to wince as they entered the wildly colorful apartment. “You certainly have livened it up even more,” he said as she showed him the lime-green living room. Between the bright prints on the floor pillows and throw rugs and wall hangings, there wasn’t a spot in the room where an eye could rest peacefully.
“Mom helped me make the slipcover for the sofa. But I’d still like a couple more chairs. In case I ever have friends over.”
“I might have something you can use,” George told her. “I did a bit of looking in my attic, but I didn’t get too far.”
“And I still need a table and chairs for in here.” As she turned on the kitchen light, George resisted the urge to blink. “I’d like something I could paint.”
“Of course.”
“Come and see the shower curtain in my bathroom,” she called out. “It was inspired by you.”
“I can’t wait,” he murmured.
She turned on the bathroom light and George peered in to see a tropical-looking ocean scene. “That’smyMediterranean,” she told him.
“Very nice.” He nodded with approval. It was actually the least jarring part of her apartment so far.
“And now you have to see my bedroom. Mom dug out this really cool tie-dyed quilt that she made when she was in college.”
George prepared himself for more eye pain as she turned on the overhead light. But to his relief, although it was multiple shades of purples, it wasn’t too bad. “Very nice,” he said.
