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Then Nana called, at nine o'clock on the dot as we'd agreed. "You should take that."
"We're not done here."
"We can continue this lovely conversation tomorrow. If you think you can keep your voice down."
I'd pissed her off, damn it. And I didn't have my temper under control, which was why I nodded and let myself out of her house. I answered the phone as I climbed in my car. I'd driven here.
"Hi, Nana!"
"What crawled up your ass?"
I chuckled, feeling myself calm down. Nana knew me like the back of her hand. Of course she'd picked up on my tone. I relayed my conversation with Lori to her, because frankly, I could use some perspective.
"Graham, I see her point. You've known each other for a couple of months, but she's been a single mother for seven years. It makes sense she'd tell her family. I'm guessing she doesn't know how to... accommodate you in her life. Work together. Don't insist on why she didn't tell you. Make her understand why you want to know."
“What if I’m taking things too fast?”
“You have been impulsive since you were a little boy, but your impulses have mostly led you in the right direction.”
“Except for my marriage.”
“That’s why I said mostly. But what you’ve got going with Lori, it’s good for you. I can hear it in your voice.”
"I fucked up in there. I raised my voice... she got mad." In the darkness and quiet of the car, things began to clear up.
"We all make mistakes from time to time. It's important to learn from them."
"Any other advice?"
"Pay attention to the little things. It's always the little things that make us feel appreciated. Sharing the workload in the house. A surprise dinner. A message during the day asking how our day is going. Men think it takes the world to keep women happy, but the truth is, it's simple. Bring her and the boy here. I want to meet them."
I saw my chance then and there. "You'll have to fly to LA for that."
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, young man. I know your tricks."
"Not a trick. Just using my cards right."
"Why are you so stubborn in getting me there?"
"Because when you r
etire, it would give me great piece of mind if you'd move here. Can I get you to at least consider that?"
"I'll find myself a nice nursing home when I feel like it."
"I wouldn't let you go to a nursing home!"
"I'll have you know they're not such bad places. Sophie and Annabelle showed me some pamphlets. If you've got a nice group there, it feels like you're in a camp."
Sophie and Annabelle were part of her posse, which was comprised of a dozen geriatrics in total. I wouldn't admit it even under torture, but they were an intimidating bunch. I knew there was no point insisting on the topic of the nursing home right now. I'd circle around to it another time; try another angle.
We talked for about ten minutes, and afterward, I sat in the car for five more, contemplating my next move. I wanted to fix things with Lori tonight.
***
I knocked at her front door. The light in the living room was still on, so I knew she hadn't gone to sleep. When she opened the door, she eyed me warily.
"You want to fight some more? At least tell me exactly why we're fighting."
