Page 34 of The Devil Goes to Washington

“Besides the video game?”

“Yes, besides that. I need you to help me figure out how to take care of your mom. She won’t accept help from anyone.”

“Oh, that’s a tough one. It’s always just been her, me, and grandma. I don’t think she’s used to anyone else being around. But she’s also the one who has to do everything. I can’t even open the peanut butter yet.”

“Just the three of you? What about the playgroup? No other family, friends, boyfriends?”

“She tells me about family but they’re all gone. We usually only see the playgroup in the park and she had some work friends but never boyfriends. She said there just wasn’t ‘time for that kind of nonsense in life’.” Micah imitated her voice with his hands on his hips.

“Maybe we could take her out?” He suggested, hoping Micah could give him some ideas.

“Don’t you go to a lot of events together?” Micah asked, fingers clicking on the controller.

“I meant like a date.” Michael looked over his shoulder to see Evelyn on her phone, leaving the room.

“She says fancy places are a waste of money,” Micah replied without looking away from the screen.

“So we start simple. How about ice cream and a movie?”

“Yay!” Micah cheered, but it was unclear if it was for the game or the outing.

“You’ll ask her?”

“Why don’t you do it?”

“We had a fight a long time ago and she’s still mad about it. For good reason, but she doesn’t really want to spend time with me.”

“Are you trying to use me to date my mom? Aren’t you already married to her?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Adults always say that when they don’t want to talk about it.”

“What the hell is this?” She stormed into their space, shoving her phone in his face.

“It looks like a bill from the hospital.” Michael backed up to let his eyes adjust to the picture.

“It’s paid in full! But not from my account!”

“That’s my cue to get out of here.” Micah dropped the controller in his seat and ran out the door.

“Are you sure?” He had been hoping for more time to win her over before she found out about this.

“You don’t think I know how to manage my finances well enough to notice if my monthly installment is missing or not?”

“I didn’t mean that. Maybe there was a mixup at the hospital.”

“Nope. I called, and they said it’s correct.”

“I don’t know what else to tell you.”

“How convenient. I guess I’ll have to call your lawyer or accountant directly and tell them to skip next month’s payment to me. Heath would be overjoyed to comply.”

“Please. Don’t do that. For Micah. I was just trying to help. I want you to be able to throw out your threadbare nightgown and get a new one. Or even go crazy and get two.”

“And this is why I wanted to do my laundry! But Tilly convinced me she’d get in trouble if I did that. Now the entire house is talking about my damn pajamas.”

“We just want you to be able to relax and take care of yourself.”