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“That’s incredibly generous. The plane, the hotel, all of it. Why would you go to such trouble?”
I thought about the question.
“Because Lucy’s happiness matters to me,” I said. “She spends all her time making sure my life runs smoothly. She handles the chaos so I don’t have to. The least I can do is try to give her something back.”
Gladys was quiet for another moment. “You know, Lucy’s told me a lot about you over the years. She always made it sound like you were just a client. Just business. But this doesn’t feel like just business to me.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. “Well yeah, we’re friends.”
“I would love to come to LA for Thanksgiving,” Gladys continued. “Harold will be thrilled. He’s been wanting to see California anyway. And surprising Lucy? Oh, that girl is going to lose her mind.”
Relief washed through me. “So that’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes, absolutely.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “Thank you, Jeremy. Thank you for calling me and caring about her enough to do this. Lucy’s happiness means everything to me.”
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “It’s pretty important to me too.”
We talked for a few more minutes, working out the logistics. I would have to coordinate with my parents about the plane and figure out hotel arrangements. But it would all come together. I would make sure of it.
After I hung up, I sat there for a while, processing what I’d just done. This was a lot. Would Lucy be upset I meddled?
No way. Not if she got to see her grandmother.
I picked up my phone again and called my mom.
“Jeremy? Twice in one day? I’m honored.”
“I need a favor.”
“I’m listening.”
“I talked to Lucy’s grandmother. She and her boyfriend are going to fly to LA for Thanksgiving. I told her I’d send the family plane to pick them up in Florida.”
A beat of silence. “You did what now?”
“I know it’s a lot to ask. But you said I should do something. I did something. If the plane is busy, I’ll see if I can charter another one.”
“Jeremy.” My mother’s voice had gone soft. “That’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.”
“So can I use the plane?”
“Of course you can use the plane. And of course they can join us for Thanksgiving. The more the merrier.”
I laughed. “Thanks, Mom. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Lucy’s a lucky woman, you know. To have someone who cares about her this much.”
“She’s my friend,” I said. “This is what friends do.”
“Mm-hmm.” The sound was noncommittal in a way that suggested she didn’t believe me. “Well, let me know the details and I’ll make sure everything’s ready on our end.”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up. I couldn’t wait to see Lucy’s face when her grandmother showed up.
Lucy was going to walk into Thanksgiving dinner expecting to spend the holiday with my loud, overwhelming family, and instead she’d find her grandmother waiting for her.
25
LUCY
