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“No way. Right now? Here, in this hotel?”
“Tomorrow morning. In Madison.”
“Is everyone alright?”
“Yes. But the house has smoke and water damage.”
“How long do they want to stay?”
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Call them back and find out,” he said.
“No!”
“I guess we’re going to have to get home really early now,” said Adrian.
“Oh no, Adrian!” I gasped.
“What?”
“We need to get a cat!”
“And where are we going to find one on this short notice that is diabetic?” he added.
“I’m going to sleep,” I told him. I got under the covers and stuck the cucumbers back on my eyelids, and before I knew it, morning had arrived.
Chapter 71
When we arrived at the Country Kitchen on the east side of town, my parents were already waiting for us. They were in my mother’s big, tan Buick. It was stuffed full of clothes, pictures, whatever they had been able to grab.
They did not jump out and rush over, as I had feared they would, throwing their arms around us and sobbing. They appeared to have calmed down considerably. They walked over to the door of Country Kitchen and my father held it open for us as my mother went inside.
“Table for four,” she said, holding up four fingers and scowling.
“How are you?” I asked them.
“How do you think,” said my mother.
I decided to cut right to the chase as soon as we were seated. “You’ll only be able to stay with us for a couple of days, I’m afraid,” I glanced at Adrian, “because Alexa will be back soon and then we’ll be returning to Savannah. I hope you understand.”
My mother gave my father an “I told you so” look, but was instantly distracted by a waitress bustling past. “Miss! Hello, you!” She tapped the table with the stacks of Avon rings on her knuckles. Her other hand slapped her thigh. I closed my eyes in dismal embarrassment as she called, “Miss. Miss. Yes, you. Bring a pitcher of water to the table.”
“I hope you aren’t allergic to the kitty,” Adrian said. We had already purchased a cat to back up our story of needing to rush home to care for it.
“Ugh. I hate cats. But I will manage,” said my mother.
“So what are you going to do?” I asked my parents.
“The insurance company will handle it,” said my mother.
“And
they’ll put you up in a hotel, right?” I asked.
“I suppose they’ll have to.”
“It will be okay,” said Adrian.
