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Finally, that full granny smile comes barreling out of the gates. “Because last night she called her parents to tell them that she’d be leaving in a few days, heading back out. Then, they called me to confirm, and I didn’t know anything about it. I had to get her motel name from them. I went there first thing this morning and woke her up a second time. She was nice about it, even though I could tell she’d probably just fallen asleep after trying all night. Couldn’t shut off her mind, I bet. Or her feelings. I asked her why she was still in town and what she was waiting for, and she said she needed a few days before she left just in case you changed your mind. If you don’t go for her, she’ll head back tomorrow morning.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s a very Nina thing to do—a wonderful sunshine and rainbows and farts of glitter and sparkles happy pants Nina thing to do.
Still, there’s me. I’m not sunshine and rainbows. I never wanted to be storm clouds or grouchy pants either, but here I am. I feel like I have to be the voice of reason here. I hate that, with my family, I always get shoved into that role, and it makes me feel like a huge douchebag.
“We’ve known each other for only a few days. We’re pretty much two strangers. Even if everything else changed, and there were no contracts, I’m not sure she wants to have anything to do with me past saying goodbye properly.”
Granny looks at me like I’ve just gone and said the silliest thing imaginable, and she’s waiting for how much worse it’s going to get before she tells me to stop being a ninny-head idiot. “Before they meet, every person on this earth is a stranger. I met Nina’s grandma decades ago, and we were strangers then. Look at what a beautiful friendship we’ve had ever since.”
I’m not going to comment on the marriage contract or how my mother and Nina’s mother never got along. I’m not going to. I can be the bigger person. “Mmmhmm.” I nod. “And mom and dad have a great marriage, and they were strangers at one point, but that doesn’t prove anything. Or disprove my point.”
I get a long-suffering sigh in response. “Thaddius.” She says my name like a warning bell blasting out three big toots. Three means business. Three means get the heck out of town while you still can. “I’m going to count to ten, and you are going to get in that rattly old truck you adore and drive to Upperhand. Then, either you are going to say a proper goodbye to that girl, or you’re going to help her figure out a way to stay. Maybe not here, but maybe in Upperhand. Or in town. I know it’s an hour away, and you hate the city and all that, but if she stayed, maybe the drive would be worth it. I’m not saying move in together and get married next week, although that would surely make all of us happy. I know, I know. But not getting married and just dating normally or being friends and seeing where things go would makeyouhappy. Nina too.”
“And what if she’s just working up the nerve to drive across the country again and not staying to say goodbye to me at all?”
“Did I or did I not say that I had talked to her?”
“You have a way of hearing what you want to hear.”
Granny’s winces are awful, especially when they’re followed up with a hairy eyeball. “I’m starting the countdown now. Ten. Nine. Eight.”
“Alright. I’m going.” I need to go before she changes her mind about tearing up the contract. I know she’ll convince Nina’s grandma to do the same. Our families will finally be off the hook. If they were ever really on the hook at all, that is. But at least it will be official. Sure, someone could still get written out later, but at least that burden is off our shoulders.
I take the first step toward the truck. I don’t think people are right when they say the first step is the hardest because all the steps after the first one prove it’s possible for a person’s feet to turn to stone. It’s a gradual process, getting worse with every single inch. While my feet feel heavy, my soul is lighter already. I had no idea the real weight of that marriage contract. I always knew it was bad, but I didn’t realize just how bad it was until I was freed from it. I might have said no and meant it, but it was still there, hovering like a big…well, shitstorm.
And what did I say about those meaning business?
“Make sure you know what you’re going to say before you find her!” Grandma yells at my back as I’m halfway to the truck. Then, she comes bounding up, spry as any twenty-year-old. “She’s at the Piggy Wiggy Oink Oink Cute Little Trotters Motel.”
“Yes, Granny. It’s the only one in Upperhand.”
“She could have rented one of those darned house places off the internet, you know,” she huffs in response.
“I suppose she could have.”
“Why on earth did they give the place such a crazy name if they have zero competition?”
“I don’t know. Maybe when they first opened it, they did have some. Or they were anticipating some.”
“Hmm. Good point. Now, are you going to say something idiotic to Nina? Should I come with you and make sure you don’t put your big hairy toes in your mouth?”
“My toes might be big, but they are only moderately hairy. Hairy toes are perfectly acceptable.”
“Has Nina seen them?” Granny asks.
“I have no idea.”
“Well, that’s the real test of love. Whether someone will have you, hairy toes and all.”
“What ifhertoes are hairy?” I retort.
“What if? Would you have her if they were?”
“Of course.” As soon as Grandma grins at me, I realize I’ve walked right into that.
“Ahh,” she says, her face folding up into smiley wrinkles. “So youaregoing to say the right thing.”
I run a hand through my hair. What I wish I could do is shower off the barn grime and humidity before I go into town, before I see Nina. That’s probably a good idea. And a fresh change of clothes too. “I’m going to have a shower, and by the time I’m finished with that and get my truck into town, I’ll have figured out what that is. I promise.”
