* * *
Wow.Some people had awesome timing in their lives.Minnie Rivas was one of them.She seemed to have a sixth sense of when he might be in an awkward situation, such as when she’d caught him exiting Gen’s bed ten years ago.And while he was desperately glad she hadn’t been there when he’d basically commanded Gen to get out of her bed today, having her walk in just as Gen had belted him in the face couldn’t have looked good.Probably looked like Gen had been trying to defend herself.Even if Bella was giggling.
“What are you doing here?”Minnie demanded.
“Just talking with your daughter.”
“Is that what you call it?Looked to me like she was fending you off.”
He lifted his hands.“Nope.Nothing like that, I promise.”
“Mommy accidentally headbutted him,” Bella said helpfully.
“Oh.Gen, are you all right?”At Gen’s nod, Minnie’s face softened.“You’ve had a shower.”
“And look, Grandma, the place now sparkles,” Bella said.“Kyle and I did that.”
Minnie eyed him suspiciously.“Why?”
“Because it needed doing, and I was here.”
“Hmph.”She glanced around, then looked back at him.“Are you leaving now?”
“Sorry to disappoint, but no.”He shifted back to the table.“Gen and I were discussing some financial arrangements that we need to make going forward.”
“Financial arrangements?”Minnie glanced at Gen, as he willed Gen to agree.
Gen sighed.“We’re sorting some things out, yes.”
Yes.He internally fist-pumped.Thanks, God.
“Then I suppose you can stay,” Minnie grouched.
Wow.Okay.It had become obvious from his brief perusal of the bills that Gen was the one whose name was on the lease.He wished Gen didn’t feel so obliged to this woman.
Could he buy Gen a house one day?A place where Gen and Bella truly did have independence and weren’t at the beck and call of this controlling woman?Maybe.One day.It might be better to start with a car.
“I know it might seem like a lot, but Gen, I really would like to buy you a new car.”
“A new car?”Bella clapped her hands.“Yay!”
“What’s wrong with my vehicle?”Minnie demanded.
“Mom,” Gen said, as Bella said “Everything.”
Yep.Couldn’t have put it better himself.
Minnie looked affronted.“That car has served us well the past nine years.”
“But it doesn’t look like it wants to survive another one.Please, Minnie.I know that I have a long way to go to make things up to you, but I’d like for you to let me try.”He turned to Gen.“And for you.I’d feel better knowing you were driving something safe rather than feeling like you need to get the bus each day.”
“But I like to get the bus,” she protested.
“No you don’t, Mom,” Bella said.“You complain about having to take the bus when it rains.And that’s most of the time around here.”
He nodded.“Yep.”
“I don’t want to be bought off,” Minnie muttered.“I didn’t raise my daughter to expect people to help us.”
