“Didn’t know you were having company tonight?” Harrison asks, seeing the look on my face.
I shake my head. I turn to Harrison. “Do you want to come in?”
“I shouldn’t. I have an early start tomorrow.”
I reach for the door handle but then stop. “What’s your take on him?”
“On Charlie?” Harrison frowns, as though it’s a question he’s never considered.
“Yeah.”
“We’ve been buddies since kindergarten. He’s basically the same guy he was when we were kids, although I’ve noticed he’s a bit different these days.”
“How so?”
Harrison thinks about it for a moment. “He’s become a lot more serious. He used to be the guy who always brought the party. I guess we’re all getting older.”
I say good night to Harrison and open the door to the cottage, then gasp. I glare at Charlie. “What the hell is this?”
24
It looks like the junk food aisle has been dumped on the floor. There are open bags of chips and popcorn. Gummy bears. Chocolate-covered pretzels. A jar of peanuts. A half-eaten chocolate bar sits on the end table beside Nan. Both she and Charlie have glasses of what I assume is scotch. Rod Stewart is blaring. Nan looks like she’s fighting back laughter, and Charlie’s dimples are so deep they swallow the lamplight. His hand is buried in the bag of gummy bears. His smile falls when he sees me in the doorway.
I look around, dumbfounded.
“How much scotch did you two have?”
Nan giggles in a way that I’ve never heard. “It wasn’t the scotch.”
And then I spot the green leaf on the wrapper of Nan’s chocolate bar.
“Oh my god.”
“It’s not a big deal, Alice,” Charlie says, getting to his feet. He’s wearing jeans and a gray flannel shirt. His hair has some kind of product in it. He’s made an effort.
“You got my grandmotherhigh?”
“Don’t freak out.”
“Donottell me not to freak out.”
Nan snickers again. “You’re in for some trouble, Charlie.”
“So are you,” I snap.
“Alice.” Charlie again. “Back off.”
I stare at him, gaping. “Excuse me? How could you sneak over here when I’m not around and bring my grandmother drugs?”
“I didn’t sneak. She asked me to. It’s a low dose. Very safe. And it’s legal.”
I look at my grandmother.
“I was curious if it would improve my sleep.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have done something to help.”
“I didn’t want to worry you. You’re already treating me with kid gloves.” Her eyes are a little glassy and her tone is soft, but I bristle. I’ve only wanted to be helpful.
