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“I know that, dummy. But I was already a tomboy before Mom died, and being surrounded by males finished me off, but Rosie isn’t like me.”
“Finished you off? What’s that supposed to mean?” We all chipped in to help out after our mom died, doing the best we could to stay a family.
“It means that I had a lot of questions that Dad and Cenzo couldn’t answer. Which was better, pads or tampons? How do tampons even work? The difference between eyeliner and mascara. Padded bras or underwire? It was confusing as hell, and I was too embarrassed to talk to anyone other than Hannah about it. Eventually it was easier just to be one of the guys when it was possible.”
I blinked twice, surprised that her words hit me like the tip of a whip. “You never said a thing.”
“Because it wasn’t a big deal. To me. Rosie is a girly girl, and if that’s who she is, I don’t want her to stifle it just to fit in.” Teddy’s tone was soft and sympathetic, but I couldn’t help the anger that filled me at her insinuation.
“You think I’m depriving Rosie.”
“No. But think about what you want for Rosie in the future. You want her to have everything she wants, right?”
“Duh.”
Teddy nodded. “What if that’s a husband or wife and kids?”
“I would never deprive Rosie of that!”
“Not on purpose, no. But just because your ex-wife is a garbage person doesn’t mean you want Rosie to grow up thinking relationships are bad and should be avoided at all costs. Do you?
“No.” I wanted Rosie to have every little thing her heart desired, and I worked my ass off to make it possible.
“Then maybe do something about it. I’m not suggesting that you have to get into a relationship, get married or even get serious about a woman if that’s not what you want. But maybe get some female friends, actual friends that you don’t have sex with, so that she has more women in her life.”
“She has you and she has Hannah. Hannah is girly.”
Cal laughed. “Hannah wears dresses sure, but you do know she runs a DIY site, don’t you?”
“Yeah, she makes crafts and stuff.”
Teddy snorted a laugh. “The and stuff was a smoker last month, a tool carrier a few weeks ago, and this week she’s planning on turning an old saw blade into a knife.”
“Really? Cool. I had no idea.”
Teddy growled and Cal laughed. “You’re missing the point. Hannah is more like me in all ways but appearance. I said variety, Antonio.”
I nodded and poured another glass of wine, feeling better about the footage I shot with every sip. “You’ve given me some things to think about, Teddy.”
“I’m not criticizing you, Cal.”
“I know, it’s just something I hadn’t really considered.”
She smiled sympathetically. “Because you’re not a motherless little girl, that’s why I brought it up.”
“Thanks.” For the rest of the day, I thought about my sister’s words and wondered where in the hell I could find female friends who I didn’t want to sleep with and who wouldn’t get ideas about picket fences and wedding dresses if I asked them to hang out.
Instantly an image of a wavy haired redhead appeared. August wasn’t all that impressed by me.
I could work with that.
Gus
“Please don’t tell me someone stole my car.”
I just finished an unscheduled double shift because two ER nurses were down with the flu, and the last thing I needed was a stolen vehicle. My eyes were so heavy I knew I had just enough energy to get home myself safely. I was so exhausted I wasn’t sure my legs would hold me up much longer.
And now my car was missing. “What’s wrong, Gus?”
I turned at the sound of Cal’s voice, sounding as tired as mine since we’d just finished ten hours in the ER together.
“My car is gone.”
“Need a ride home? It’s been a long night.”
“No, if someone stole it I’d like to file a report quickly so hopefully the police find it before it’s been stripped for parts.” The thought was so daunting I sighed again. “But thanks for the offer. You should get home.”
Cal hoisted his backpack over his shoulder and slowly surveyed the parking lot, moving a few yards in each direction. “Hey Gus?”
“Yeah,” I sighed.
“Isn’t this your car?” He pointed to my little white four-door with the dancing daisy sticker on the back. “Maybe you’re more tired than you think.”
Maybe, but as I drew closer to my car, my steps slowed. All the mud from the big puddle I’d driven through was gone. There was no splatter on the side doors or my windshield. “How strange.”
“What?”
“Someone washed my car.”
Cal laughed. “Can you ask the fairy to hook me up next?”
I shrugged and unlocked the door, and I was immediately hit with the scent of oranges. I bent down to look inside my car and gasped. The little baggie filled with trash was gone, the mats had been vacuumed and even the seats were free of crumbs and discarded napkins.
