Page 79 of When We Were Young

“I tried to tell her that, Holden,” Simon says.

I glance over at him, and he’s shaking his head as he takes his index finger and pushes his glasses up his nose.

“She doesn’t always listen. My grandma says she’s stubborn like a horse… Wait, maybe it’s not a horse.” Simon scratches his head.

“I think you mean stubborn like a mule, little guy, but they’re very similar to horses.” I like this kid.

“That’s it. Stubborn like a mule.”

“I’m right here, you two. Don’t talk about me like I can’t hear you,” Lizette says. She’s still sitting on her butt on the partially installed luxury vinyl plank flooring.

“Oh, sorry, we didn’t see you all the way down there,” I tease. I wink at Simon, and he gives me a grin that pleases me.

I walk over to her and extend my hand, but she doesn’t take it. Instead, she tries to lift herself with just her good hand. That’s an epic fail. However, rather than accepting my offer of help, she rolls over onto her belly and then has an easier time getting up to her knees and standing.

“You are as stubborn as a mule,” I tease.

“I’m not stubborn. It just needs doing, and I’m perfectly capable.”

“So was your plan always to do this by yourself?”

“No. Tad was going to come help me, and he was going to put in the countertop, but he got called into the fire station, so he had to cancel.”

“You should’ve canceled because you’re injured.”

She walks over to her coffee maker. I can smell the coffee, and I’m grateful she made it.

“Would you like a cup?” she offers.

“I thought you’d never ask. Did I ever tell you about Ella’s coffee?”

“You haven’t. Not yet, anyway, but I’ve heard about it. I do want to say that everybody who has said something to me about Ella’s coffee always likes mine just as much or more when they taste it.”

“I don’t know about that. Ella’s was really good. She had this weird secret thing where she put a tiny bit of rosemary in it, and it made the coffee delicious.”

“I don’t use rosemary. And is it really a secret if you know?”

“Well, she shared it with me because I was desperate to learn, so I could still have it when she left. She even gave me lessons. But I failed. Anyway, I’ll still take a cup because it’s way too early in the morning, and this is where I used to come for my coffee. Also, can you take a break for a couple of minutes and talk about the floor?”

“Well, there’s nothing to talk about, but sure.”

“All right. I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

I disappear into the other side of the shop, and when I return, Simon is grinning from ear to ear when he sees the box.

“Is it okay to share my T-R-E-A-T-S with him?”

“I know how to spell,” Simon says. He shakes his head like he’s embarrassed for me or something.

“What? I don’t know what age kids start to read.”

“He’s been reading since he was three and a half.”

“Wow, that’s pretty darn smart. I bet you get that from your mother.” I direct the last sentence at Simon. “She was a brainiac when I knew her back in school.”

“What’s a brainiac? How do you spell that?” Simon questions.