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We turn to leave the kitchen, but Trev stops us. “I had no idea you were so popular. Your grandmother showed me the JSE.”
“What?”
“I’ve been scrolling through the posts. These people talk about you like they’re your family.”
And it’s then that the response in the ER hits me. They were probably there primarily for Avery, but they were there for me too. They showed up for us as a couple to show solidarity.
“Hmm. Interesting.”
And it changes my perspective on this town. Maybe. I mean, it’s still weird.
“Sticking around?”
He nods. “Your grandmother offered me a room. Seems that Avery’s parents will be staying there too.”
“Can you take her brother?”
He smiles. “From what your mother said, he’s heading back to San Antonio tonight. His wife is hugely pregnant.”
I nod and head back down the hallway to the living room but pause. I look at him.
“We will be talking about what happened in New York.”
He nods, although his smile dims a little. “I kind of fucked things up.”
“You can always fix it.” That’s one thing I’ve learned being around Avery.
When I step into the living room, I notice my mother and Ted outside. Avery has her eyes closed and a hand on each of her cats, petting them. I set the water on the coaster and lean closer to kiss her forehead again. Her mouth curves as her eyes open slowly.
“Hey.”
“You rest. I’ll keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t sleep too long.”
She nods, and as her eyes slide closed, she says, “Love you.”
Then she lets out a little snore.
I notice my grandmother standing by the window, looking across the yard. Approaching her, I start thinking about how this all came to be. Her insistence that Avery stay here with me. That she would let Avery remain for an entire year at half the rent. “Grandmother.”
She turns and faces me. She looks older tonight, smaller. “Jon, I take it that Avery is truly fine.”
I nod.
“Good. She’s a good woman. I would hate if something happened to her.” Her voice hitches on the last few words.
“Avery is fine. You know she could bounce back from just about anything.”
“Just because she’s strong doesn’t mean she doesn’t need someone to help her.”
I study her for a moment as all the pieces of the puzzle click into place. My grandmother is a fucking mastermind. I lean forward and kiss her cheek.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For finding her for me.”
For the first time in my life, I see my grandmother blush. She looks out the window again. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
