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“You aren’t going to start fussing and trying to talk me into going to the doctor and getting new medicine?” Aunt Flora cocked her head.
“Nope. Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.”
“What the heck did that man do to you? I may need to hire him for a weekly session for you.” Aunt Flora pulled out a kitchen chair and sank into it.
Addy ignored her aunt because she didn’t want to acknowledge how much Lucas could change her. Today was an anomaly. Making love with Lucas wouldn’t happen again. And if it did, it couldn’t change her because she and Lucas were temporary. Turning on the hot water, she filled the sink and started on the dishes.
But Aunt Flora didn’t get the memo about her wanting to be left alone with her thoughts.
“You’re seriously not going to talk about my lapse today?”
“No, because I realize I can’t control your world any more than I can control mine. I’ve talked to you about seeing your doctor again, and I’ve talked to Mom. I’m not hog-tying you, Flora. Ball is in your court.”
“Your mother made an appointment for me next week.”
Addy swiped the counter with a paper towel and looked at her aunt. “Really?”
“Yeah, Phylis and I had a nice long talk yesterday while you were out with Lucas and the kids. She’s after me to move in with her and Don, and now I’m thinking she has a point.”
Addy stiffened. “What do you mean move in with them?”
“I’m getting older and so are you. For a while, you’ve been focusing on building your career. Sure, you’ve dated and have a few friends in that victim’s group you go to, but this isn’t a good life for you.”
“Says who?”
“Says your mother. Says me.”
“I like my life. I like living here with you. I don’t have rent, we split utilities, and we both have someone to depend on and keep us company. How has that changed?”
“But you’re stalled out, honey.”
“I’m not stalled out. I just had a man upstairs imprisoned in my bed for five hours. How is my living here with you holding me back?”
“Yeah, way to take charge, girlfriend.” Her aunt gave a fist pump.
“Jeez.” Addy rolled her eyes and tried not to turn the color of the dish towel. “I got laid. Big deal.”
“But that’s my point. You’re young, you should be living with a girlfriend… or a boyfriend. Not an old lady who can’t remember her name some days.”
“I’m pretty sure you haven’t forgotten your name.” Addy waved a hand in between her and Flora. “And I don’t want to live with anyone else. This works, and I don’t want Mom guilting you into thinking it doesn’t.”
“She’s not, but this is not just about you. It’s about me, too. Maybe I want to move, not with Phylis and Don, but into Crescent Gardens. Maybe I want to move out of this big drafty house that’s more work than it is pleasure. I’m in my late seventies, honey. All my friends live in that community. It’s safe and has great activities… and some hot older dudes. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now.”
Addy looked down to see if the rug was still beneath her feet. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“Because you weren’t ready to hear it.” Her aunt gave a wry smile. “You have a sweet, mellow vibe, but underneath the whole Zen thing beats the heart of Attila the Hun.”
“Aunt Flora.” Addy tossed the red dish towel onto the counter and grabbed the chair opposite her aunt. “I’m not abrasive or inflexible. You could have talked to me about wanting to move to Crescent Gardens.”
“Well, you’re not flexible either despite all the yoga.” Flora cracked a smile and her blue eyes softened. “Honey, you’ve built this tidy world—work, gym, eat, sleep—with not much give.”
“You make me sound like a robot.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. But today is a good example of what taking a leap of faith brings you. When you allow someone in,” Flora said, waving a hand at Addy, “you can change. You wear something pretty and let your hair go wild and loose. Your face gets flushed from having a good time. I can tell this was good for you.”
“I’m not unopposed to breaking my habits or letting go of my ordered world a little bit. Your argument is backfiring.”
“I’m part of your ordered world. A safety net you can always use to pull yourself back from something that makes you uncomfortable. And not only am I a crutch, but I’m also the pothole you step in. You shouldn’t be taking care of an old woman.”
