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“And he came all the way to Florida on the cruise to celebrate my birthday despite how afraid he is of germs and the sun. So yes, I’d say he’s done this before.” The affection in Grandma’s voice managed to make me sound kind and generous instead of neurotic and antisocial.
“Thanks. With any luck, Jenna will feel the same way.” And not feel upset it had taken me so long to come to my senses.
“She will,” Grandma assured me. “Tell her how you feel and that you’ve found the person your heart has been looking for for a long time.”
A wave of something undefinable moved through my chest. The words resonated in me because they were true, even if the search had been subconscious. But how could I feel so certain of that when Jenna and I hadn’t known each other very long?
As if she could read my mind, Grandma added, “You know, time can’t measure the love inside a person.”
“That issosweet!” Mom sounded choked up, a big departure from her normal cheery self. “I’m going to write that down.”
“Aw. You’re the best, Grandma. I’m going to write that down too.” Nicole paused for a second. “Listen, sorry, fam, but I have to go and meet with a professor about the seminar I’m running for her next semester. Love you all.”
Mom was first to reply. “Okay, Nicole, good luck. I’ll sign off, too. Adam, let us know how things go with Jenna!”
“I will.” A surprisingly large lump formed in my throat before I could get the next words out. “I love you, Nicole. And you, Mom. And...” I swallowed hard. “And I love you, too, Grandma.” The words came out tangled and choked. It was true. Love was real. I felt it.
Grandma had the last word. “I love all of you wonderful people. And Adam, please give my love to your sweet pea.”
I followed directions to get back on the interstate, ignoring billboards advertising restaurants and shops. Even if I’d wanted a new snow globe or “Arnold’s World-Famous BLT,” I wasn’t going to stop until I fulfilled Grandma’s request.
And then after I gave Jenna Grandma’s love, I was going to offer all of mine.
It wasn’t until the tail end of Beth’s rehearsal dinner that I finally had a chance to sit down, long after the other guests had been served their banana pudding and peach pie. I was scarfing down cold pulled pork and baked beans when my phone chimed with a new text message, loud enough that Mom heard it all the way on the other side of the barbeque restaurant’s private dining room.
“Is that from Adam?” she called.
“Yeah.” I made my expression sober, like I’d just gotten bad news. “It’s confirmed. They’ll have to amputate the foot.” I’d been giving bogus updates all day.
The shocking news was enough to send Mom and Aunt Kathy scurrying over to me. I hurried to flip my phone over so they couldn’t see that the text was actually an automated message reminding me of a forty percent off sale at a chain candle store.
Mom threw a hand over her mouth. “That’s awful!”
“He was really trying to save the foot, but now he just wants to make sure the infection doesn’t spread.” I shook my head. “Doesn’t look like he’ll be able to come to the wedding.”
Aunt Kathy put a hand on my shoulder. “Well, we’re here for you, honey. I know it must be hard for you watching your younger sister get married before you, with no man at your side to shield you from the fear that you’ll never be the bride.”
I looked at Beth sitting next to Chase, who was watching her with goo-goo eyes like something from a cartoon. I felt zero percent sad seeing my sister with the person she loved. “I’m delighted for them,” I ground out, beyond irritated with Aunt Kathy’s characterizations.
“That’s sweet of you to say.” Aunt Kathy moved her hand to her heart as if genuinely touched by my long-suffering. “But you can let down your guard with us.”
I gave Mom a Mayday look, fresh out of polite replies.
“Oh, is Howard supposed to be eating that?” Mom asked.
Aunt Kathy turned to see her husband pulling a bowl of banana pudding toward himself. “He knows we’re doing part-time keto! Excuse me.” She hurried off to fuss at her husband.
Dad walked up as his sister walked away, rolling his eyes at her back. “Part-time keto isn’t a real diet.”
“You still good to get the sealing wax?” Mom asked him, moving effortlessly on from the unpleasant conversation with Aunt Kathy. Fine with me. Normally she liked to break down unpleasant events like a senior sportscaster after a title game. Mom put a hand on Dad’s elbow. “I think the craft store closes at nine.”
Dad put both hands in the air. “Okay, I’m leaving.” He turned to go.
“Sorry about that, with Kathy.” Mom sat down next to me.
Okay, so weweredoing the post-game analysis. “It’s fine.”
“You know how blunt she can be. I just don’t think it will get better for you tomorrow when more of the extended family is here. I know you don’t want to tell everyone that Adam is sick.” Mom pulled out her phone, the case bearing the same Apple-Achian logo as was printed on all our shirts. “We might need to call in somebody as a decoy. Kind of like a fake boyfriend?”
