“Let’s just say even if wewereplanning on giving her a grandchild, it could never happen with her there. The other night we were just about to get busy when she burst into the room to show us a picture her friend sent her.”
“She didn’t even knock?”
“Nope. I’m almost straddling Donnie when she comes flying through the door. I don’t doubt she knew what was going on but I don’t want to think about it.” She runs her hands up and down her arms as she shivers.
“Did you take my advice and finally talk to his mom?”
“Yes. At first it didn’t go over too well. There was a little yelling and some crying, but by the time all was said and done, I think she finally has come to accept that we won’t be giving her any grandchildren.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Besides, two days ago his sister did a video call with us. She’s expecting! We’re happy for them and—“
“That gets his mom off your back.”
She points her finger at me. “Bingo.”
“Wow. Look at these old washboards.” I pull one off the shelf and run my hand down the slats. “Beautiful.”
Kayleigh sidles in next to me. “I don’t know how anything to do with laundry can be beautiful. Once you’ve washed your husband’s dirty drawers a few thousand times, it’s not glamorous anymore. Not that it everwasglamorous.”
“Clearly you’ve never washedmyunderwear.”
“Nor will I. I love you, but not that much. I’ll run into a burning building to save you, but washing your underwear is where I draw the line.”
The floorboards creak beneath our feet as we make our way toward the back of the store, where all the best artwork is stored away.
“I want a new piece for my bedroom, now that it’s done and freshly painted.”
“How about a piece of Jimmy?”
I take my time looking at each part of art hung on the back walls. “How about no?”
“Wow. You got pretty defensive there. Did something happen?” I keep looking at the art, ignoring her. “Oh my gosh. Something happened! Tell me! Now!”
“There isn’t much to tell. We kissed. That’s it.”
“That’s it? You hated this guy, Reese. Now youlovehim.”
“Stop it. I don’t love him. I barely know him.” Though I’ve gotten to know him pretty well over the past few weeks.
“You know what I mean. Why are you so defensive about it? Are you going to kiss again?”
“No. I probably will only see him now when his dog is barking and I have to go across the lawn to tell him to shut him up.”
Kayleigh sneezes. “Excuse me. Must be all the dust in here. Anyway, how did he react after the kiss? Is that why you don’t want to see him again?”
“No. We kissed and then someone knocked on my front door and that was that. It’s not good to get involved with a neighbor. I mean, he lives right next door to me.”
“I thought you said that he’s like a house flipper. He’ll move soon anyway, right?”
“Yeah. And where to? What if he moves hours away or out of state? Who knows where the next flip will be? Then what?”
“Oh. I see. You’re afraid to get involved in case he leaves.”
“Okay, I’m done talking about this.” I put my hand up. I refuse to discuss it any further. That’s when I see it.
I approach it slowly, studying every piece of the canvas. Something is off with the coloring.
