My revelation makes her jaw drop in disbelief. “You’re. A. Grandpa?” The words come out as if each one is its own sentence, and it takes everything in me not to laugh at the dumbfounded expression on her beautiful face.
Shrugging, I admit, “They call me Papa, but same difference.”
“Wow… I didn’t see that coming.” She’s quiet for a moment, then adds, “You already have three grandkids?”
“Actually…” I puff out my chest in pride. “I’ve got nine.”
“Holy shit… I really stepped in it this time,” Faye mutters just barely loud enough to hear.
Her eyes look anywhere but at me, then they close for the briefest of seconds before she takes a deep breath and adds, “I am so sorry for presuming anything. I never had any kids, and I don’t feel old… But…” she pauses and exaggeratedly looks me over, then quickly adds, “you really don’t look like a grandpa. Hell, you’re not even fifty.”
Amusement washes over me as I watch her attempt to dig herself out of a hole.
To save her from herself, I quickly point out, “I started early… Remember. Add in four daughters and the fact that twins run in our family, and they multiply quickly.”
Nodding slowly, she sighs heavily. “I can imagine…. And they all live here?”
“Yep.” I smile with delight. “Two of them even married locals.”
And apparently, I’m just full of surprises for Faye.
“You’re kidding me. What are the odds of your daughters settling in the one town you couldn’t wait to leave?”
“Mom had everything to do with it, I’m certain.” I chuckle at the memory. “Before she passed, she made arrangements for her home to be renovated without bothering to enlighten anyone of said plans.”
“Your mom would do something like that,” Faye muses. “She always was a planner.”
“You can say that again.” I chuckle at the memory. “Lanie, my oldest, got quite a surprise when the poor, unsuspecting contractor showed up. He was just doing the job he’d been paid for, but he scared the hell out of her… And in true Lancaster fashion, she went ten toes down with him without a second thought, even though she’s nearly a foot shorter than him.” She’s still indignant about the situation, but to hear her husband tell it, it had to have been quite the sight.
“Between you and Jane, I’m certain your girls can stand on their own. She never let anyone get away with anything.”
“No, she didn’t,” I agree on a sigh. “But we got Ryan out of her meddling, so I’m grateful for it.”
“Ryan… Wait… are you talking about Jack Murdock’s son?”
“Yeah, why?” How would she know that?
“He and his dad are the ones who helped install the ramp at my parents’ house when Dad was forced to use a walker after his heart attack last year. Jack and Dad have coffee together most mornings, so when he’d heard Dad was coming home, he had the entire ramp installed within hours of getting the call. I’d never been more grateful. It was a Sunday, and they insisted on only being paid for materials. It was such a blessing to be able to get Dad safely into the house.”
“How’s your dad doing now?” I ask hesitantly.
“He’s doing fantastic. He’s back to walking three miles every day, tinkering around the house, and driving Mom nuts with his never-ending ambitions.”
I can’t help the chortle that escapes. “That sounds like Herb. He never was one to sit and watch paint dry.”
A beautiful smile lights up her face. “Nope. Mom and I are always after him for doing too much.”
“I’ll probably be accused of the same things by my daughters when I’m that age. We only get so many hours in a day, ya gotta make ‘em count.”
Shaking her head, she gasps, “Oh, God, you’re still like that?”
“Uh… You’ve met my mom. I’m certain that thirty years in the Air Force has only perpetuated it. How else do you think I moved up through the ranks as quickly as I did?”
Reaching out, she touches my hand. “Ambition is a good thing, Mark. I just thought now that you’ve retired, things might have calmed down a bit.”
Locking eyes with hers, I deadpan, “I may be drawing benefits from the government, but I’m far from hanging up my hat, Faye. Have you not seen the improvements I’ve made on the house next door?”
“The place does look good,” she admits. “Though I’m surprised you’re not living at your mom’s.”
