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Ignoring my grandma, I rushed toward the kitchen.
Eugene yelled, “I didn’t break anything. I just dropped the pan.”
It’s probably dented.
Her shoulders stiffened as I got closer to the sink. “I’m washing these dishes. If you want to help, you can bring me yours and your gran’s.”
Her cheeks and neck got noticeably pinker the longer I stared at her side profile. I’d already upset her once that day. Strangely, I didn’t want to do it again, even for the sake of my kitchen. Rubbing my jaw, my shoulders dropped, and I turned around to get the plates.
______
After we cleaned the kitchen, I locked up the restaurant as Eugene walked alongside Grandma to the truck.
“I’ll take the backseat,” Grandma fussed as Eugene opened one of the doors and hopped in.
“I’m already back here,” Eugene said. “I’m good. You take shotgun.”
“Tell your guest to—”
I cut off my grandmother. “Get in. You’re getting older, standing out in the cold huffing.”
Eugene’s muffled laughter made me suppress my own as I helped Grandma climb into the truck. “These Henderson men all think they need big trucks. Overcompensating if you ask me.”
That time, Eugene did a poor job at concealing her chuckle.
It wasn’t so funny for me since my manhood was being questioned. “Buckle up.”
“Shut the blasted door. I’m freezing,” Grandma shouted.
I shut the door, walked to the driver’s side, and got in.
It only took about three minutes to get to my parents’ house. Grandma lived there, but not by choice. A few years ago, we had to force the situation after her hip replacement. She had too much trouble getting around to be living alone, despite what she thought.
I put the truck in park, keeping the engine running, and looked back at Eugene, who was staring at her phone. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to help her inside.”
“I don’t need your help,” Grandma muttered.
It took a few minutes of arguing, but I got her inside in one piece. Mom was the only one at home. I said goodbye quickly before Grandma could let it slip that someone was with me. When I returned to the truck, I frowned at the empty passenger side. I glanced at Eugene. Why didn’t she move up front?
“Get up here,” I said.
She gawked at me like a deer in headlights before doing as I said. The same silence that fell between us when I upset her returned as I drove, and I didn’t like it.
“I hope my grandma didn’t offend you. She means well,” I said, breaking the tension.
Eugene chuckled lightly. “No. She was fine. Actually, she reminded me a little of my gran.” I glanced in her direction, hoping to see Eugene’s reaction, but she turned toward the window.
Her phone rang. “Hey… Yeah. I called earlier. As soon as you have the chance, I need your help to get my things from my apartment… Just a futon, some clothes, books—you know me.”
The conversation didn’t last long, and I assumed it was her brother. When she ended the call, I blurted, “I can help you get your things.”
Her eyes widened. “No, no. God. I’ve already aggravated you enough.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“It’s a four-hour drive.”
“I said it’s no problem. I’ll tell your brother I’m taking you.”
