“We got a flat tire.”
Ethel cackled. “But before that?”
“It was nice.” Remembering the drive and the picnic, I smiled. “I was less terrified than I thought I’d be. Like the idea of driving scares me more than doing it.”
Ethel looked ahead at Anabelle’s name etched into the stone. “He’s good for you.”
“He showed me that Andrew-type guys are not the only ones out there. I’ll be ready to be open for a relationship again when he’s gone.”
“Leaving soon, blah, blah.” She rolled her eyes. “Is he really going away?”
“Well, yeah, he’s in Wendigo Hills until the end of the summer only, you know this.”
“With the way he looked at you, I thought he’ll stay. He even invited you to his sister’s wedding.”
“That was great fun, and his family was nice to me, but I was there so they’d get off his back about being in a relationship.”
She gave me a disbelieving look. “Did you ask him to stay?”
“No.”
“Did you discuss it at all?”
“Yes, when we met. It’s a simple arrangement, and it will end soon.” I coudln’t believe I was explaining the fuck buddy system to my elderly aunt.
“Simple. Yes, of course,” she said in an exasperated tone.
“He has life, a job, and relatives in Chicago. He worked really hard to get to where he is in the company, and his family is amazing.”
“How about you? Would you go with him?”
“No.” I gasped. “How can you even suggest that? I have you. I have the cafe.”
“It’s your life, Milo.” She sighed. “I’m old, and the cafe is great, but it’s not the most important thing in the world.”
“Neither is Rowan.” I physically recoiled at my own words. They felt nasty in my mouth but were not untrue.
Ethel lifted her eyebrows. “Then you know how you feel.”
“Exactly. It’s gonna be fine.” Bile rose to my throat, and I swallowed it down. “We’re just having a good time.”
“He’s a worthy young man,” Ethel said as an afterthought, speaking to herself and Anabelle more than me.
I poked a hole in the corner of the tote bag with my finger. The baby blue fabric had survived a lot, but it may be time to grab a new one from the box in the staff room. I should give one to Rowan. As a goodbye gift.
“He offered to drive us today, but it didn’t feel right.”
“You can share Anabelle and your parents with him. It’s not going to diminish their memory. Probably help preserve it.”
“I talk about them, but this is sacred.” I waved at the grave. “We’re not that to each other.” I massaged my sternum where a stab of pain spread through my chest.
Ethel nodded, then shook her head. “They’ll be so proud of you. All three of them.”
“I don’t know. I’m a mess.”
She grunted. “They would also celebrate your birthday.”
“Don’t you start, Ettie.”
