I nod and she starts throwing everything from bows to colored pipe cleaners to fuzzy cotton ball–looking things into the basket. She’s got a twinkle in her eye. “When I’m done with this sweater, there’s no way you won’t win.”
I drop my head back and stare at the ceiling. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
We head to the checkout when the basket is almost full, but she stops suddenly. “Oh! I almost forgot. Gigi needs a few things.” She pulls out a piece of paper from her purse and I recognize the small scrawl of my great-grandmother. “Could you go grab these? I’ll go ahead and get in line. We’ll drop them off at the nursing home on the way to the shop.”
I read the list and blanch at items like adult diapers. Once I find everything, I run through the store carrying all of the items on the list as discreetly as I can. Nonna is unloading the stuff for my sweater on the conveyor belt and talking to the guy checking her out.
I walk up just in time to hear her ask him, “Do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve? I’m looking for a date for my granddaughter!”
What.
Is.
She.
Doing.
“Well,” he says. “I think my friends might be having a party, but we’re not sure yet…”
His eyes move from her to me and then to the items in my arms. He zeroes in on the hemorrhoid cream.
“Oh, there she is! This is my granddaughter Sophie,” she says, then looks at his name tag. “Sophie, this is David.”
I drop all of the items on the conveyor belt and look at Nonna. “I’ll be waiting in the car.”
Just as I’m about to leave the store, I hear her say, “Well, if the party with your friends doesn’t work out, call Greenhouse Flowers and Gifts and ask for Sophie.”
Olivia and I are hiding out in the back greenhouse on our lunch break, eating some sandwiches Aunt Lisa packed for us. She’s texting back and forth with Drew, a dimpled smile on her face, and I hate to admit I’m jealous.
I’ve heard from Seth a few times, but we’re in that new, awkward phase of communicating. I miss having a deeper connection with someone. I’ve already talked to Addie twice today, once this morning to fill her in on last night’s date and then again after that picture of Seth and me was posted.
So instead of giving in and texting Griffin, I text Margot.
ME:How are you?
MARGOT:Good!
ME:You’re full of it. Mom called me this morning.
MARGOT:Fine, then. It sucks right now. Not only am I worried about the baby but Mom and Dad and Brad’s parents are DRIVING ME CRAZY.
I want so much to tell her how scared I am for her and the baby. But that’s not what she needs to hear from me right now.
ME:Tell Mom you want some of her vegetable soup. You know that takes her hours to fix. And doesn’t Brad’s mom sew or something like that? Tell her you want her to make something special for the baby. You have to keep them busy.
MARGOT:You’re right. Hold on, I’m on it.
I eat half my sandwich before Margot texts me back.
MARGOT:IT WORKED! Dad’s driving Mom to the grocery store although the soup is probably going to suck since my diet is so restricted right now. And Bill is driving Gwen to the store to get some material for a blanket, even though she’s already made a dozen.
ME:See! I’m a genius
MARGOT:What’s up for tonight’s date?
ME:Ugly sweater party with someone Charlie is setting me up with.
MARGOT:Send me pics! And don’t make me bribe Charlie to do it.
