It turnedout that in the middle of the unassuming home full of sweet rose-pink hues, plush, shag carpets, and the faint smell of Bengay, Duke’s grandparents were delightful cheats who’d do just about anything to win at cards. Producing aces from under the table and sly underhanded dealing was bad enough, but then they’d stuff you full of ice cream and homemade blackberry cobbler until you were having too much fun and were much too sugar-drunk to care.
We played for hours. I believe that I yawned more than his grandparents, who seemed completely energized by our extended stay.
“I won!” Birdie screamed, pumping her arms into the air. It was after eleven, and she had just laid down her entire hand in rummy, a sea of blacks and reds categorized in runs and sets.
We all leaned forward a bit, squinting at the black ten of spades mostly hidden in a run of black clubs.
“That’s my girl!” Bart pounded on the table excitedly. He stood, placing his hand directly over the fake run and looking Duke and me both in the eye. “More cobbler?”
A grin stretched across Duke’s face as he leaned back in his chair. “The two bowls I already had are probably going to do me, Gramps. That’s quite a winning streak you both have there.”
Bart stood up, stretching. “Well, when you got it, you got it.” Turning to Birdie, he said, “My dear, let’s get to bed.”
“What time do you need my help in the morning, Grandpa?” Duke asked.
“Six.” He looked at me. “And if Nora wouldn’t mind helping Birdie with breakfast…”
“I’d love to,” I said as we all stood from the table.
“I can do it,” Birdie stated, clutching her husband’s arm as they walked toward the stairs, “but I’d love the company.”
“I would leave you lovebirds downstairs, but I don’t want any hanky-panky going on in this house. I saw the eyes you made at each other during dinner. I’m not leaving you two down here unattended,” Bart said, a twinkle in his eye but seemingly very serious when he motioned Duke and me up the stairs before him.
I bit my lip to stifle a horrified giggle.
“Birdie has a couple rooms ready for you,” Bart said once more.
I gave the ceramic cat the side-eye as we all trudged up the stairs, following Birdie down the hall to my room. The pink carpet from downstairs graced the floors. The window had been opened, and the curtain billowed softly in the evening breeze. A bouquet of freshly cut wildflowers sat on the nightstand. The double bed had a homemade quilt on top, made with a splash of colors. There were doilies hung decoratively on the wall along with old family pictures.
“I put one of my nightgowns on your bed for you to sleep in, dear.” Birdie patted my arm.
My eyes widened as they landed where she indicated. There was indeed a nightgown on the bed. The rose-pink material had been well-loved, worn and washed many times. The high collar and ruffled sleeves at the wrist was the icing on the cake.
“I know it’s not the fashion nowadays to wear these, but it’s all I have,” she said hesitantly, as if she was unsure I’d accept the garment. Any reservations I had were gone in an instant.
“It’s perfect. Thank you,” I said, giving her a squeeze. “I’ve always wanted to try sleeping in a nightgown. Are they comfortable?”
Birdie’s eyes lit up. “Oh yes! You won’t go back to anything else.” She leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially, a twinkle in her eye, “And I will say this…Bart has always loved me in this nightgown—if you know what I mean.”
She patted my cheeks before turning from my frozen smile and padded in her slippers toward the door. “I’ll let you get some rest now. There’s a toothbrush for you on the bathroom counter. I always keep a few extra around in case someone has car trouble.” With a wink she closed my door and was gone. I took another look at the nightgown flung across my bed, hid my face in my hands, and laughed.
Twenty minutes later, I had just turned off the lamp next to my bed when my phone buzzed with a text.
Unknown Number:Sorry there couldn’t be any hanky-panky tonight.
Me:How did you get this number?!
Duke:You really shouldn’t leave your phone unattended.
Me:Does your room have pink carpet too?
Duke:Blue. This was my uncle’s room. You’re in my mom’s old room.
Me:There’s a picture on the wall with a tiny Duke dressed like a superhero and being kissed by four women at one time.
Duke:You jealous?
Me:I’ve always loved a man in Spiderman pajamas.
