“We could just eat around them.” He shrugged and put the plate back in his lap. “If this stuff stains, you owe me denture tablets.”
“They’ll be fine.” Grandma waved a hand. “Go get your teeth. You look like a newt.”
Maury chuckled as he wheeled himself back to the elevator. Still open-mouthed, I turned to her.
“How did you do that?”
She shrugged. “I had to call in a favor, but it was worth it.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Don’t you worry about it, Penny.” She reached over and patted my hand. “But many thanks to you, Theo. It took me a while to pull it off, but it was an excellent suggestion.”
“That was well played, Colleen.” He reached his fist across the table. With a big smile, Grandma bumped his fist with hers.
“So, Theo,” she said, her tone indicating a change of subject, “have you figured out that you’re in love with my granddaughter yet, or do I need to intervene?”
Theo smiled. “No, ma’am, no intervention necessary. I’m very much in love with your granddaughter.” He took my hand. “And I’m staying here in Tilikum.”
“I knew you would.” She nodded appreciatively. “Didn’t take you as long to figure it out as I thought it might. Maybe some of the Havens have good heads on their shoulders.”
“A few of us aren’t complete idiots.”
“That’s good to hear,” she said. “I’m happy for you both. You make a beautiful couple.”
“Thanks, Grandma,” I said.
The cafeteria had opened for breakfast, so we joined her for omelets. Theo gave her a few more prank suggestions—none of them involving dentures, thankfully—and we made plans to come over for a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. Hers would be midday, and the Havens were celebrating later, so we’d have time for both.
It would be a lot of food, but a lot of family, too. I couldn’t wait.
After a long visit—we helped finish her puzzle—it was time to say goodbye. I hugged her again and tried not to tear up at her whispered, “I love you, Penny.”
I loved her, too. So much.
Theo held my hand on the way out to his truck. Outside, a few flakes of snow drifted from the low-hanging clouds and our breath misted as we walked. We got in and he turned on the engine.
“You know what?” He glanced back at the building. “I forgot something. I’ll be right back.”
“What did you forget?”
“My phone. I think I set it on the table.”
“Do you want me to come?”
“No, I’ll just run in and grab it. You stay warm.” He leaned across the center console and gave me a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”
He got out of the truck, and it was odd, but I thought I caught the outline of his phone in his back pocket.
But maybe not. The pocket was probably just worn.
Time ticked by and he didn’t return. He must not have found his phone. It made me wonder if he’d actually left it at home.
Finally, he came back and got in. With that dimpled smile that made my insides swirl, he leaned over and kissed me. “Sorry. Found it.”
We drove away, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Whether from the Jell-O prank or seeing Theo fist-bump Grandma Colleen, or just because I was so deliriously happy, I didn’t know.
Probably all of the above.
