Eric is snuggling with me hard today, burrowed into the blanket draped across my big, comfy chair.He sighs and starts snoring lightly as I run my fingers down his back.This should be reason enough to never leave my apartment.There is so much contentment right here.It would be inconsiderate to disturb his peace.
Just as I’m about to close my eyes and take a little nap, my phone pings with an email notification from an older client wanting to tweak things yet again on her site.It’s like the thousandth time she’s decided to change everything.Everything.This is one of those reasons I don’t like having to deal with people.
Maybe I did actually fall asleep for a bit because, when I open my email, I have four unread messages.Three from the continuing education program I work with and one from Aidan.
I fire off a response to my pain-in-the-ass client and let her know what to expect for additional fees.Thank God I put a PITA clause in her contract, outlining incremental charges for all changes after the third round.
Aidan is checking in to see if there is anything further I need from him.His girlfriend is ridiculously lucky.He is such a nice guy—kind, thoughtful, always concerned that he’s being a pain in the ass.
Hardly.
The last set of emails gets progressively more urgent.The instructor who was lined up to teach a course on basic computer use bailed at the last minute.And they know I can’t say no to them.Their computer programs are heavily attended by the cutest little old ladies.They help me when I’m missing my grandma, and I can’t seem to resist them.
The new class starts this afternoon, so I slide out from under Eric and drag myself to the bathroom to shower and do my thing.I take a few extra moments to twist my hair into a funky braid before swiping on a coat of mascara and a little tinted lip balm.Though they frown at my septum piercing, the older ladies seem to like my colorful hair, and with Valentine’s Day approaching, they’ll probably make a big fuss over my festive pinks.
I shuffle through the posted syllabus for the continuing ed class and update the slides I have from the last time I filled in for this course.After checking my pantry and finding it woefully lacking, I pack up my computer and press a kiss just behind Eric’s ear.
I need to stop on the way to the community center and pick up some cookies from the bakery.My ladies will be bringing me homemade cookies for the remainder of these classes, but since they don’t know yet that it’s me teaching, I need to make sure to bring some goodies.
The parking spot right out in front of the bakery and coffee shop opens up just as I approach.I park carefully, being mindful of the never-ending snow as I turn in.The selections inside are nothing short of mouthwatering, but knowing my ladies as I do, I stick with the giant, chewy chocolate chip cookies and the biggest, darkest roast coffee they have.My nap wasn’t nearly long enough to knock the cobwebs from me.
Glancing at my phone, I check the time and hurry back out to my car.As I settle the box of cookies on the front seat and straighten up to grab my coffee off the roof of the car, I see a little silver hatchback careen past me down Main Street.There’s no mistaking the fact that I know that car.It almost hit me, running me off the road the last time I was over this way.
Peering down the road, I see the car turn into the parking lot of McBride’s, the wheels skidding wildly, the back of the car swerving until the driver regains control.A tall form unfolds itself from the driver’s seat, and there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s him—Finn.
Is he out to get me for real?
By the time I get to the community center, my coffee is half-gone, and I have just enough time to make copies of my handouts before the ladies start showing up.Several of them have taken this course before.With me or one of the other instructors.I think they use it more for a social hour, but between this and the knitting classes they teach, they have a place to be.A place to hang out with each other and spend time with their friends.Lord, even in my head, it feels like I’m commenting on wayward youth as opposed to members of the grandparents and great-grands clubs.
Loaded down with coffee, cookies, handouts, and my computer bag, I stumble into the computer lab and almost drop it all before I catch myself.Thankfully, the only thing I manage not to save is the stack of handouts.They slide out of my arms, seemingly in slow motion, and scatter across the floor.
“Well, shit,” comes the sweet voice behind me.Louise looks at the mess before waddling over to me to wrap me in a warm, rose-scented hug.“I’m so glad we have you this go around, Adelaide.That other guy they have teaching sometimes doesn’t let us have cookie and coffee time.”She looks genuinely put out by that inconvenience.
Squatting down, I gather the papers into a neat pile, placing the slightly wrinkled ones on the bottom.“I stopped by Sweet Treats and brought the first round.Sorry.If I’d known I had this session before today, I’d have baked them myself.”I look up and smile as the others start filing through the door.“Afternoon, ladies.”
“Adelaide, honey, why do you bother with all that paper?You know we’re not going to take them, sweetie.”Connie sets her big floral bag on the floor next tohercomputer and makes grabby hands at me until I stand and let her hug me.
I’m so not a hugger.Nope.I don’t like people, and I don’t like being touched, let alone hugged.But this is different.And not a one of these surrogate grandmas is going to takenofor an answer.
I unpack my laptop and connect it to the projector in case there’s actually someone new signed up for this session who plans on learning the basics of using a computer.The roster I have shows my usual suspects, but there could be a last-minute attendee.
“Are you going to pass those treats around, or are you going to make an old lady walk for her cookie?”Virginia asks from the desk right next to the door.She’s perfectly capable of walking the twenty feet, but she likes to play the poor-me card every now and then.
Connie turns and calls her out, “Virginia, how’s that tai chi class you teach twice a week going?”
“Fine.”
“Then, get your wrinkly ass up, and get your own damn cookie.You make people bend and breathe, but you think you can’t walk for a cookie?”Connie dishes shit like no one else.No one, except Virginia because that woman is the master shit-slinger.
My heart is happy with this crazy crew.I make my way around the room, offering up cookies before we get started to avoid any catfights.It’s blatantly obvious that I was not listed as the instructor for this session.My usually early attendees are dribbling in the door right up until the published start time.I guarantee, they will be early from here on out.
“Should we start this thing?”I ask while approaching the front of the room.
“Lord, yes,” Ellie responds.“I thought we were getting stuck with that stuffy Richard this time around.Did you switch with him, dear?”She’s looking at me over the top of her glasses as she turns on her monitor.
The rest of this crew though is snickering, a few mumbling about how stuffy Dick is.
I tilt my head from side to side and consider how to respond.I believe in honesty above all else, but I hate drama and sure as shit can’t acknowledge their twelve-year-old sense of humor.And there is nothing a bunch of little old ladies love more than drama.
