“No. Just heard it. What does it mean?”
“That’s a mom thing to explain.”
She’s quiet for a while, propping her feet up on the dashboard. She finally says, “So you’rejustfriends?”
“Yeah.”
“I guess that’s good. Mom needs friends. She’s sad.”
I frown at the road, surprised.
“Not all the time. Just when she thinks I’m not looking. Or when a couple comes in and they’re holding hands or whatever.”
“It can be hard being an adult and wanting love that hasn’t reached you yet.”
“I’m gladI’mnot an adult.”
“Yep. Live it up.”
My cell rings.
“You can get that if you want to,” she says.
I glance down at it. “I’m going to have to use the speaker. Sorry. It might be a little rough.” I tap the screen. “Hi, Mom.”
“Johnathon, I put the trash out this morning, and it’s still sitting there. I’m going to call and fire that garbage service and try another one.”
“Tomorrow’s trash day.”
“I know when trash day is, and it’s…” She’s quiet and Ava looks over at me and mouths, “Tomorrow.”
“Isn’t Carmel there right now, spending time with you?” I ask.
“That woman drives me crazy, moving my stuff around, asking me if I went to the toilet as if that’s any of her business. And I swear she sneaks into the house when I’m sleeping and scares the snot out of me. I’m going to get the locks changed.”
“Mom, Carmel comes to help you.”
“She’s a hindrance, not a help.”
“Just keep your trash out. Don’t lug it back in. They’ll pick it up tomorrow morning.”
“Too many wild animals will get into it. They’ll make a mess, and it’ll just encourage them to come back for more.”
“I’m coming into town right now. I just passed Greene’s.”
“Did you already tuck the cows in?”
“Yep. Gave them each a kiss.”
“You go back and give them another from me,” she says.
Ava giggles, and I say, “How about instead of kissing cows I come over and take care of your trash for you? I’ll stop by and bring you some pie from The Cracked Egg.”
“What kind of pie?”
“Peach, of course. Your favorite.”
“I’llmake you a peach pie.”
