Bart:“Oh, the one where they snuck a picture of me necking my woman? That’s my favorite page.”
Birdie:“Oh, Bart! Go do your chores. I’ll talk with Nora alone.”
Me(laughing by this point): “Wait! Don’t go yet! Did you both have a chance to double-check all the prices for the furniture pieces? Does anything need to be changed?”
Bart:“What did she say?”
Birdie:“She asked…”
And so on.The exchanges became a highlight of my week but somehow left an ache inside of my chest as well. I had known my two grandmothers, but never a grandpa. I’d never witnessed grandparents together before. I’d never seen the interaction of two people so weathered with age and experience and love.
Eventually, things with Duke and me smoothed over. True to his word, he didn’t try to help me clean, though there were a few nights when all the garbage at RDM had been taken out before I arrived.
Our soda notes eventually morphed into texts—Anita being the sole reason. Anytime Duke wandered in my direction, I was given self-righteous looks and snide remarks. Our texting also became more informational.
Duke:Want to hear something crazy? My dad stopped by my place the other night and told me he was sorry if he’d been too pushy.
Me:What did you say? P.S. Your tie is crooked.
Duke:Thanks, Kiss Cam. I told him I’d much rather golf with him than talk business.
Me:Nice! Very proud. Teach me your ways.
Duke:It’s all thanks to you. He’s also terrible at golf. I win every time.
Two dayslater I had my own happy news.
Me:So, guess what? My mom actually paid back some of what she owed me.
Duke:Really? Only part? P.S. Red is your color. Also all the other colors.
Me:Stop, you. Seriously, I’m stunned. In a good way. She’s never paid me back for anything.
Duke:Maybe a Lipper from Kipper’s been good for her.
Me:Ewwwwww.
All in all,the final project had come together relatively easily, and having complete creative control over a project had left me on a high I’d never experienced in a work setting before. The end of the month was approaching fast, however, and I was beginning to worry that everything I had done wouldn’t be enough.Imight not be enough. It was one thing to saymaythebestmanwin,but Ireallywanted to win. More than that…Ineededto win.
* * *
I arrived earlyat RDM’s staff meeting with my nose in my phone, attempting to pay my student loan bill online. I had tried the past few days but kept getting an error message whenever I clicked send. The app had been spotty before, so I wasn’t overly surprised when another error message popped up on my phone. I made a mental note to try again the next day. My payment was due in a few days, and I didn’t want to be charged extra for falling behind. I sat down next to Tenisha and shoved my phone inside my pocket.
“How’s your project coming?” Tenisha asked, leaning toward me in her seat.
“Good. I think. I hope.” The self-doubt was definitely there.
“You got this. Just don’t embarrass me.”
I managed a laugh. “That’s my number one priority.”
“Good.”
Thankfully, Duke and the rest of the owners came into the break room, saving me from answering. After making the rounds, shaking hands and greeting everyone, Duke sat down in the chair next to me. He was supposed to be giving me space, but considering the way his elbow shifted into way too familiar territory with my elbow, I began to wonder if his idea of space was as spacious as mine.
“Anybody have any bucket list updates?”
“Nora was just telling me about her bucket list,” Duke announced.
