An entire week without mom telling himto comb his hair, brush his teeth, pick up his clothes or take a bath. I’m surehe’s in heaven.
“Do you blame the kid? Stuck in a car fornine hours with six women, and then an entire week of doing girly stuff.” Jillsits down with two enormous plates of food.
“No, I guess if I were him,”or me,“thatwouldn’t be any fun.”
“Katie girl.” My grandma sits down. “Howcan I audition for one of the circus people shows?”
“A circus show?”
“You know, the show we just went to?”
“Oh, you mean Cirque du Soleil show?”
“Yeah, I want to learn how to twist mybody like they did.”
I try to hold my laugh in. “Um—I’m notsure, Grandma but I’ll look into it for you.”
“Thank you, Katie. I knew you’d help meout.”
“Yeah Kate, sorry you missed out.”
“Me too, Aunt Kathy. I hope you had agood time.”
“We did.”
“So, what papers did you have to sign?” Ilook over at Annie, who looks at my mom and then back at me. I shake my head.My mom’s putting Annie up to asking me about the papers. So my mom doesn’t comeoff as being nosey.
“They were inheritance and estate papers.Cole’s receiving an inheritance from his mother’s estate, and as his wife, I’mreceiving a share.”
“How much?”
“Jill.” Her mother scolds but then looksat me for the answer.
“Oh, I’m not sure. Cole?”
“These were just papers to start theprocess. We don’t have a final figure yet.” Hmm…my man is good. But then hedidn’t tell me a figure either and I’m guessing he may not know the exactamount. I’m sure he has a pretty good idea though.
“You said something about estate papers?”My mother’s curiosity is getting the better of her.
“I’m being given a piece of AlanPrescott’s estate, and they need me to fill out some paperwork.”
“Which reminds me, Cookie, I need a copyof your birth certificate.” Cole kisses my shoulder.
“Oh, it’s in the fireproof file cabinetat my parents’ house.” I turn to my mom. “Do you think dad could get it and faxit?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll askhim when I talk to him before bed.”
“Great. I’ll give you the number, he canfax it to Mrs. Cook.” Cole smiles.
“Well, look at how you rate, Katie, youmarried a millionaire and now you’re becoming one yourself. I need a sugardaddy.” Jill scoffs.
“Be nice to me, Jill, and I might shareit with you.” Oh shit! I said that out loud, which means I’m feeling betterabout myself—so that’s a good thing.
Jill opens her mouth and then shuts itagain, and no one else scolds me for saying it either. Wow—okay. Score one forme. Everyone talks about their day and the parts they liked the best. I’m gladthey had a good time. There seems to be so much tension between everyone. Maybeit’s just everyone has tension with me. I’m glad they managed a good day. Afterdinner, everyone filters upstairs, until it’s only Cole and I left. Cole’sstill doing work on his tablet.
“Cole,” I whisper in his ear.
“Hmm, what is it, Cookie?”
