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“I hate you for this,” Marigold grumbles and I shrug.
“You’ll have to get in line behind your dad.”
“Oh stop. I don’t hate you and neither does Dad. I am mad though.”
“Duly noted,” I answer when I see Jan’s lips twitch.
“I mean really mad.”
“Heard the first time, baby.”
“So mad that if I have a girl, I’m going to name her Edna after the sister that you hate.”
My back goes straight, and I turn the evilest of eyes I can muster on my youngest daughter. “You do that Marigold Lucas and I will wage a war on you that will make WWII look like a freaking walk in the park. When I’m done you will have triplets.”
“Oh my God!”
“And just for fun-zees I will sneak meds into your man that will make his one-eyed snake look like a dried-up gummy worm that’s been dried up in the sun and can’t even stretch to scratch that itch you’ll get between your legs.”
“Jesus, Mom. Where do you come up with this shit?”
“My kids drive me to it.”
“You stay away from my man’s dick. It’s the only thing about him that doesn’t make me want to strangle him when he leaves the house a wreck and never picks up after himself.”
“Hate to break it to you, baby, it’s only going to get worse,” I inform her.
“Great, you’re just full of happiness today, aren’t you?”
“I do try.”
“You aren’t going to touch Slater’s dick.”
“Try me,” I say with a yawn. The yawn isn’t for show. I’m worn out. I haven’t slept since Jansen has been mad at me.
“Lovey, don’t you think you better end the war between us before you start another?”
“Damn it, Jan. I’m doing the best I can,” I tell him, bone tired. So freaking tired that I can’t keep the tears out of my eyes. “I was just trying to keep the deputy from hurting Gladys. Hamburger loves him. He grieves Gladys when they’re parted. He won’t even eat. It’s real love, he reminds me of…”
“Reminds you of what, Lovey?”
“He reminds me of the way I was when you had that heart attack. I was scared I was going to lose you. I couldn’t live without you, and I saw that same fear in Hamburger’s eyes.”
“I told you, Lovey. You aren’t going to lose me.”
“You can’t promise me that, Jan.”
“Lovey, I’d stare down the Devil himself to stay with you.”
“You haven’t been acting like it.”
“Because you put yourself in danger. I think it’s time you face the truth. It’s time to let Hamburger go to be with Gladys.”
“Jan—”
“Green has a great pasture area that will be fine for him and Gladys since they’re the only animals there. He’ll live like a king, Lovey.”
“You gave me Hamburger. I can’t give him up.” I tell him, my voice small, my tears falling harder.
