“Is that why he ain’t in school now? They mess somethin’ up?”
“Unfortunately,” I mumble, tossing a small glance in his direction. “Themandmy attorney it seems.”
“You gotta stay on top of folks.”
“I am.” It’s impossible not to smirk. “Gilly’s helpin’.”
“She’s got good taste in shows.”
“She does.”
“She’s a good woman, Thayne.”
“I know.”
“You bes’ be doin’ everything you can to keep her.”
“I am.”
“And you bes’ be plannin’ to make an honest woman out of her.”
“At least once a day.”
“That’s my boy,” she croons although sadly it transitions into a questionable cough. “Now, I need to get inside to my appointment, but I’ll go by the school again afterward.”
“Remember, Dubs is comin’ up this weekend to bring me my new bucket and pads, but on his way, he’s gonna pop in to see you and-”
“I don’t need checkin’ on.”
“He misses you.”
“He don’t miss me. He jus’ does what this family tells him to, meanin’youtold him to.”
Alright.
Fair.
In that sense.
And he actuallydoesmiss Grams – she’s hard not to – ‘cause he’s been traveling so much these past couple of years, but heisonly going over to make sure she’s okay on her own.
I don’t think she’s ever beenthisalone.
Um lonely.
Er.
Independent.
That sounds better.
That sounds less like a Janet Jackson anthem.
“Nah, I did,” Bronson unexpectedly interjects into the conversation. “I didn’t pack my lucky hat that Gramps gave me, and I kinda need it out here.”
A lie.
But a well-intended one.
