“They will. Takes time.” She pats my hand. “You’re a smart girl. Someone will see that.”
“I hope so. Derek’s breathing down my neck about custody and being unemployed isn’t helping my case.”
Dorothy’s expression hardens. “That man. I’ve never met him, but from what you’ve told me, he’s got a lot of nerve. Abandons you and Tommy, then turns around and threatens to take the boy away. Shameful.”
“That’s Derek. Master of shameful behavior.” I drink my coffee. “But enough about my disasters. What’s new with you?”
“Oh, not much. Same old routine. Church on Sundays, bingo on Wednesdays, doctor appointments that take up half my week.”She brightens. “But I did start volunteering at the library. Children’s section. Reading to kids.”
“That’s wonderful! Tommy would love that. He’s obsessed with books.”
“You should bring him by sometime. I’m actually reading to the kids tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday. That series about the boy wizard. The children go absolutely crazy for it.” She takes a sip of tea. “Keeps me busy. Gives me something to do besides worry about Ryan.”
“How is Ryan?”
Her smile fades. “Still refusing to get a proper job. He’s nearly thirty, Rachel. Thirty years old, and he can’t hold down steady work for more than a few months at a time.”
“What’s he doing for money?”
“Asking me for it, mostly.” She sets her cup down with more force than necessary. “He comes by every week with some excuse. His car broke down. He needs money for rent. His phone bill is overdue. I give it to him because he’s my grandson, but I know where it’s going.”
“Where?”
“Gambling. Online poker, sports betting, whatever new thing he’s found on his phone.” Her voice drops. “I caught him once,sitting in my living room on one of those betting websites. Tried to hide it when I walked in, but I saw. He’s got a problem, and he won’t admit it.”
I don’t know what to say. Dorothy’s always been so positive, so cheerful. Seeing her like this—worried and defeated—feels wrong.
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“Tried. He gets defensive. Says I’m being dramatic, that he’s got it under control.” She shakes her head. “But I see the signs. The constant money requests. The way he can’t look me in the eye anymore. He’s in trouble, and I don’t know how to help him.”
“I’m sorry, Dorothy. That’s awful.”
“What’s awful is watching your grandson throw his life away and being powerless to stop it.” She dabs at her eyes with a napkin. “I raised him after his parents died. Did the best I could. And now he’s almost thirty with nothing to show for it except debt and bad decisions.”
I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “You did your best. That’s all anyone can do. Ryan’s choices aren’t your fault.”
“I know. Doesn’t make it hurt less.” She squeezes back, then pulls her hand away to fix her hair. “Listen to me, dumping all this on you when you’ve got your own problems.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“You’re a good girl, Rachel. Tommy’s lucky to have you.” She cuts into her pie. “And you’ll find work soon. I feel it in my bones. Things are going to turn around for you.”
We finish lunch talking about lighter things—the church bake sale, the new family that moved in across from Dorothy’s home, and Tommy’s latest obsession with dinosaurs.
When we hug goodbye in the parking lot, Dorothy holds on a little longer than usual.
“You take care of yourself,” she says. “And bring that boy of yours to the library sometime. I’d love to read to him.”
“I will. Promise.”
I watch her drive away in her old sedan, and I can’t shake the sadness that settles in my chest.
Ryan’s gambling. Dorothy’s worried. Everyone’s struggling with something.
At least I’m not alone in the mess.
Two days later, I’m standing in Tommy’s room watching him tear through his toy chest.
