Page 65 of When We Were Young

Thirty minutes later, the four of us are sitting in massage chairs with our feet soaking in warm, bubbly water. Layla is next to me, then Georgie, then Ruthie on the opposite end.

Ruthie was bold enough to ask for—and receive—a foot massage while the rest of us are only soaking.

“Ah, yes, that’s the spot. Stay right there. That bunion gets sore. Don’t move.”

I watch the young man working with Ruthie swallow, and I imagine he is wishing he had taken one of the rest of us instead of her.

Layla leans forward and looks past Georgie to Ruthie.

“Ruthie, remember Mommy said you can’t be bossy here, or I gotta tell her and then she’ll⁠—”

Ruthie cackles. “I ain’t afraid of your mom. And this isn’t bossy, just asking for what I want. A woman’s got to do that.”

Layla sits back in her chair and shakes her head. “I can’t take her anywhere.”

“I heard that,” Ruthie says. “I may be old, but I’m not deaf, Ladybug.”

Layla looks over at me with a precious smile. She reaches into the small purse she carried here with her and pulls out a purple notepad and a gel pen.

“Lizzie, I’m writing a report, and I need to ask you some questions, ‘kay?”

“Me? And you have to write a report during the summer? That’s not fair.” I smile at her.

“No, I don’t have to, I want to. That’s how I stay smart,” she taps her head twice with her pen. “What do ya say? Help a girl out?”

She’s so dang cute, there’s no way I can deny her.

“Okay, sure. I’ll do it.” Her smile in return is so gleeful, and it makes me happy to be a part of it.

As our pedicures progress, Layla starts her inquisition.

“Okay, I need to know your favorite color, animal, and person.”

Not too bad so far.

“My favorite color is purple. My favorite animal is definitely dogs. I love dogs.” I pause as she diligently takes notes. “My favorite person, of course, is Simon.”

“Makes sense,” she says. “All right, I have a few more.”

“What’s your favorite flower and your favorite food?”

“Ooh, that’s a tough one since so many flowers are pretty. But, if I had to pick, I think I’d say lilacs. They’re beautiful, and they smell nice.”

Her brow furrows, and her mouth twists for a few seconds.

“Hmm, I don’t know that one.”

“They grow on bushes and are usually purple. I could smell them all day and not get sick of it.”

“Okay, and your favorite food…”

“Oh, that’s easy. Cobbler. Peach, blackberry, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’ve never had cobbler, either,” she says.

“Well, I’ll have to make it for you some time.” Her eyes widen, and she grins. “Or you can come over, and you can help me make it.”

“Really? I could practice cooking?” Her smile widens.