“Two good kids.” Mrs. Orrico hooked her arm through Debbie’s elbow. “They moved me in, unpacked, and now want to watch me while I eat lunch.”
“And then Aunt Deb is taking me on a girls’ day!” Bennie said, pulling on my arm. “Daddy said I could get my nails painted as long as it’s light enough so no one can tell, but I can get any color on my toes.”
“Yep, we’re pushing the boundaries today.” Debbie smiled down at Bennie before her gaze drifted to their mother. Mrs. Orrico seemed pretty content for her first day in a new place, but her son and daughter eyed her as if she would break.
Or maybe they would. It had been tough for Gary and me to drop Mom off here on that first day, but we hadn’t all lived together for a long time. It was the symbolism of moving her into an assisted living facility that had gotten to us, not the dissolution of a daily family dynamic.
“I was about to get some lunch,” Mom said, holding out her hand to Dottie. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to some good people while our kids fend for themselves for an afternoon.”
“Well, I guess I know when we’re not wanted,” Debbie quipped and took Bennie’s hand. “We’ll come back after we’re done since Tom and I head out early tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” Mrs. Orrico said, crouching down to meet Bennie’s gaze. “Go have fun, and I’ll see you later.”Mom took Mrs. Orrico by the arm as they both headed toward the dining hall.
“I guess I’m moving out in time,” I said, motioning to where our mothers headed away from us. “I’m seriously cramping her style.”
“I guess we are too,” Debbie said with a laugh. “I’ll see you at home, once I’m done spoiling my niece and loading her up with sugar.”
I smiled as Bennie bounced next to her.
“Good to see you again, Stella.”
“You too. Have a safe trip to Chicago,” I said, returning the wave Bennie gave me over her shoulder as she followed her aunt.
“I guess I’ll go home,” Lee said, his chest rumbling with a sad laugh.
“You don’t have to. I just got dumped too.” I chuckled. “We could have lunch or coffee or whatever you’re in the mood for.”
“Are you sure?” He quirked a brow. “You’re going to have to deal with a lot of me and my kid soon.”
“Then I may as well get used to it,” I joked, trying to pull a smile out of him. “I remember the day we moved Mom in. It’s a lot, even when your entire everyday routine doesn’t shift at the same time. So let me buy you coffee or a burger or something.”
A smile twitched at his lips.
“Yes, it is a lot,” he whispered, shutting his eyes for a moment. “Sure. I’d actually like that.”
His gaze snagged on mine, the slow grin spreading across his face distracting me for a minute.
If this was going to work for the next few months, I couldn’t be distracted by smiles or crinkles at the corners ofbaby-blue eyes or the way Lee’s muscles moved under his T-shirt.
“You lead the way. I don’t know this area well enough yet to know where’s a good place to eat,” Lee said, holding the passenger side door of his SUV open for me.
“The diner by the highway is decent. Good burgers and coffee, depending on what you want. As long as you let me pay this time.” I glared at him, but he didn’t reply and shut the door.
Lee was silent as we drove, tapping on the steering wheel at red lights. He squirmed in his seat, seeming both agitated and defeated as he huffed to himself.
“I know it’s tough, but this is a great place. She can be on her own while she’s watched. Mom has even made some awesome strides in therapy here too.”
“I know,” he said, still fidgeting with the wheel after we rolled into the parking lot and he killed the engine.
“It’s not the best milestone, I know. I’m sure Mom will introduce her to her tribe of friends, and I’ll make sure to bring Bennie here as much as I can to see her while you’re away.”
He nodded, his gaze still drifting around the parking lot as his chest rose and fell with slow breaths.
“Maybe if I had settled us sooner, my daughter wouldn’t have to go through so much damn change at once.” His jaw clenched harder with every long exhale.
“Change is the only constant of life, as my father always said. She’ll miss her aunt and her grandmother, but no one is really that far away with video calls and texting, right?”
I expected Lee to nod or shrug orsomething, but he didn’t move.
