Over the years, Vi had grown used to her outspokenness. Even so, the words hit hard. She wanted to trust enough to love someone again. But between Devin and the scars from middle and high school, she was jaded. “Excuse me for being skeptical, but you’ve fallen in love even faster.” For all Vi knew, Malcolmwanted a helpmate to take care of him as he grew older. She didn’t want her grandma used like that. “As for me, the right man hasn’t come along yet, but when he does, I’m sure it’ll happen.”
“Maybe if you didn’t find fault with every man you’ve dated, you’d have better luck.”
Nothing new there. Gran thought she was too picky. “What’s wrong with being careful? I refuse to settle for anyone who falls short.”
“I think that’s wise, but your standards are so high, finding anyone who rises to them is close to impossible.”
Vi raised her chin. “That’s not true.”
“Oh, no? Let me refresh your memory with a few recent examples. You didn’t like the way Casey ate with his mouth open. Larry had a good job. If you’d given him half a chance, he might’ve worked out, but you didn’t like the sound of his laugh, so you ended that. You did the right thing with Eric, though. I didn’t like him.”
At least they agreed on Eric. Vi sighed. “Let me set you straight about the other two. Casey had no table manners at all. He was an utter slob with terrible B.O. I ended things with Larry because his shoes were gross and he wouldn’t get them repaired or buy a new pair. Plus, he expected me to see films he enjoyed and eat where he wanted to go. He refused to see any of the movies I suggested, and he always made excuses to eat at his favorite places even when he knew I didn’t like them. He paid more attention to his ferret, Ralph, than me. That thing never liked me, and it smelled. Tried to bite me, too. Larry thought it was funny.
“All clear signals that I was at the bottom rung of what he cared about.” He was selfish in bed, too, and didn’t wash his sheets often. “Why would I put up with anyone like that?” The way she had Devin. “But this conversation isn’t about me.”
“You’re right. At my age, moving fast is okay. I’m seventy-seven years old, and Malcom is seventy-eight. He’s a good man and treats me well. We love each other. Can’t you and Blake be happy for us?”
“So love each other. There’s no need to get married. You live on the same floor.” Time to deliver the bad news. Vi cleared her throat. “At least for now.”
“Exactly.”
What was she getting at? “You lost me.”
“Aren’t you talking about moving?” Gran asked.
“Yes, but how did you know?”
“Because—why don’t you go first, Vi.”
“All right. I got some bad news at work today. Our CEO embezzled money. Lots of it. The board fired him last night and has filed for bankruptcy.”
Gran’s mouth hung open. “No.”
“It’s true.”
“That’s terrible. Is DD Telecom closing their doors? Does that mean I have to switch to a different phone service, and what about my TV and internet?”
That was all she cared about? “The company won’t close, but they’ve tightened the purse strings. Things should be okay. Tarleton Iglesias, a man with smarts and integrity, fingers crossed, is going to run the company now. He was hired the year before I was and seems like a good fit. But to save money, half the workforce was laid off.” Most of them good people with great skills. “I wasn’t one of them, thank goodness, but I didn’t get my bonus or a raise.”
“That’s a shame. I’m glad you’re still employed.”
“You and me both. But, Gran, without the bonus I won’t be able to contribute anything toward your down payment here. I doubt Rose will be able to help much, either. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave the 709.”
“You’re right, Peter would never allow Rose to use his money on me. It doesn’t matter—I’ve already decided not to accept any money from either of you girls.”
“But we offered our help and you agreed.”
“No worries—I’ve decided to cash in my life insurance policy. I made up my mind about that almost as soon as I moved in. It means you and Rose won’t inherit anything from me, and I’m sorry about that. But I’d feel terrible making you girls shell out your hard-earned money on me when I have the funds I need.”
“After all you did for us when we were growing up, we want to help out. Or did until this bankruptcy. We don’t care about that insurance policy, we care about you. Your social security and pension only stretch so far. Wherever you end up staying, we can still help with the rent.”
“No, thank you. This is good news. Be happy I can take care of myself. Malcom and I are looking for a bigger unit and think we’ve found it, but I can’t pay my share without cashing in the policy.”
So much to take in. Vi’s head was spinning. “Have you contacted the insurance company?”
“I left a message with my insurance agent this afternoon.”
“What if there’s a problem or the policy isn’t worth what you think it is?”
