The disgust is subtle but familiar.
“She hasn’t worked there in months,” I retort, keeping my voice even. “She works for a clean water initiative now. Writes grants from home. But she was more than happy to use personal time to spend the day with Jemmy.”
I leave out the part where Abbey plans on bringing both Jeremiah and Presley to the brewery after she picks her up from school to play on the playground my brother, Jude, installed a few years ago by the outdoor patio.
“I’ll have Jeannie find you a new nanny,” Robert declares. “And this time, don’t fire them. There are only so many people to choose from.” He starts to turn from my office.
“That won’t be necessary,” I say, stopping him. “Dylan has someone in mind.”
He faces me once more. “Are you sure your sister’s the right person? I’m not sure she knows what those kids need.”
I push down my irritation with his obvious disdain for my sister.
Hell, for most people.
“She took care of them for the better part of theyear. Sacrificed her own dreams to step up when no one else would.” I give him a pointed look.
As much as Robert likes to have a say in who watches his grandkids, he’s not exactly involved in their lives. He doesn’t take them fishing or to the park or on a bike ride. Not like my family does.
From the second I returned to Sycamore Falls after losing Cora, my mom, brothers, and sister have done everything they can to pitch in. I can’t say the same for Robert and Jeannie.
“And who is this person?” Robert inquires. “What are her qualifications?”
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t met her. She volunteers at the shelter with Dylan.”
His face pinches. “You’re letting a stranger watch your children?”
I don’t even bother softening my glare. Granted, I voiced the same concern to Dylan less than an hour ago. But hearing Robert say it grates on my nerves.
“They’re my kids. I’ll decide who takes care of them. And if Dylan thinks she might be a good fit, I’d like to give her a chance. If we’re done here, I have patients to see.” I move past him.
“Have you chosen the readings?”
His question stops me, and I glance over my shoulder. “Readings?”
“For the memorial.”
Right.
It’s not enough that I’m still mourning the loss of the love of my life even nearly a year later.
Robert seems to feel the need to remind me she’s gone every chance he gets.
From the portrait right outside my office.
To the monthly church services said in her memory.
To weekly vigils at her gravesite.
And now this… A memorial on the anniversary of her death.
It’s the absolute last thing I want to sit through.
It’s not that I want to forget Cora. I’ll never do that. Never stop loving her.
But I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. And every time I join Robert and Jeannie at church or at Cora’s gravesite, I can’t help but feel their disapproval.
As if I’m not mourning her enough.
