His interest touched me, made me slow my stride a bit despite the rising heat. “I met a group of ladies. We talked and laughed.”
“Sounds boring. But I’m glad you made friends.”
“I suppose I did, huh?”
“Yep. Me, too.”
We clasped our hands and swung them back and forth as we walked to my car, never mind the fact that my shoulder joints would probably need ointment the next day.
“I’m going to miss you, Grandma.”
His statement slowed the momentum in my arms. “What do you mean?”
“When I go to Grandpa’s house in a few weeks. He won’t take me to the library or let me make berry syrup.”
“The cooking is all Gabriella,” I said, attempting to deflect.
“You know what I mean,” Elijah thwarted me. “I won’t have any fun. Just follow the rules, be quiet, and leave him alone. Might as well be in prison.”
“EJ, so help me God, you will never see the inside of a prison cell. And…” I felt myself slip into Superwoman mode. My gold crown clinked into place and my red cape flapped in the wind, because I couldn’t stand the thought of Elijah being shunned by my ex-husband, though I knew his prediction was 100 percent correct. Children shouldn’t have to suffer because of adults. “I’ll look online for some things you and your grandfather can do together in the northern Austin area. I’ll come up with a suggested schedule—how’s that?”
His face fell slack, unconvinced. “I guess.”
My wheels were spinning now as I calculated a plan. I could call Eric’s longtime administrative assistant, Sherry, and ask her to keep his schedule sparse, giving him more time with Elijah. I could even purchase tickets for a few evening events. My ex-husband did not believe in wasting money or food under any circumstance. Entrapment.
I lost the last of my arm-swinging juice when Richard came bounding out of his office toward me and Elijah.
“Hi, Joyce. I inboxed—” He stopped, noticing Elijah. “Oh. Hello there, young man.”
Elijah shook Richard’s hand and introduced himself. I was proud of the way EJ looked him in the eyes and spoke so clearly,saying his name as well. Terri and Chris were doing a good job with my grandson.
“Good to meet you, Elijah, but it’s hard to believe this woman is your grandmother. She looks far too young.”
A silly smirk covered Elijah’s face as he registered this man’s intentions, I believe.
“I did see your inbox message online, Richard. As you can see, I’ve been busy with my grandson the past few days. I’ll get back to you.”
“Looking forward to it, Joyce.”
Something about the way Richard said my name—and the way his eyes, full of sincerity and warmth, caught mine this time—sent a shiver all through me. I nodded and continued my short journey with Elijah, who talked about LEGO sets all the way home. I listened, barely, as I processed the fact that Richard Tatum was as desperate as I was. Not bottom-of-the-barrel desperate, where you’ll take anybody with a pulse. No. The proper word wasn’tdesperateat all. I don’t think we have a word in the English language for what I felt and what I saw in him that day on the square. The definition of the nonexistent word would be: when you miss the familiarity and comfort of having good times with people you know.
The theme song from that ’80s sitcomCheersplayed in my head. It is nice to be in the company of people who go waaay back with you. I missed that about Eric. But that was where the lyrical parallel ended. Eric and I weren’t glad to be in each other’s company. We functioned well, like a car that gets you from point A to point B. No music, no AC, no air freshener, no conversation along the way. Just be quiet and ride—no complaints if you don’t want any problems.
I wondered what had brought Richard’s marriage to an end.Was it fooling around, like Wardell? Did they grow apart, like me and Eric? Was it both? If so, maybe he had learned something, like Lupita said. Maybe we hadbothlearned something invaluable that would serve us well in our next relationships, because truth be told, I missed being able to say, “Just fix it and send the invoice,” to my appliance-repair person. This fact made me wonder if I’d been with Eric for financial security as much as he’d been with me for domestic security, if that’s a thing.
“Grandma!” Eric poked my arm, bringing me back to reality.
“I’m sorry. What do you need?”
“I said thank you for letting me stay with you.”
Whether he meant to butter me up or not, it worked. “Glad to have you, EJ.”
Chapter 9
A few days later, Wardell had sent an email with the estimate for his service, which, even without the electrician’s work, took my breath away and almost caused me to lose the specialty Gabriella and Elijah had prepared that day: jalapeño-cheddar corn bread.
I swear, that girl could cook her behind off. But inflation don’t play, and I nearly choked when I saw Wardell’s numbers on my phone.
