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“It’s your favorite today,” I inform him.I don’t personally love beef with barley, but for Roger, I’ll choke down a small bowl.“What did you do today?”
“I took my morning walk,” he says as I bustle about his kitchen, pouring our soup and getting us settled at the table.“They changed the sign again.”
“I saw it!I was so excited becauseI’mone of the new people they added.”
“Too many people moving into our town,” he grumbles as he sits at the table with me.“Now, you, I don’t mind, but we have too many move-ins trying to change our town.Make it bigger and what they think is better.If they want Bitterroot Valley to be like California, they should stay in California.”
“Maybe you should run for mayor.Or city council.”
Roger scoffs as he takes a bite of his soup.“Been there, done that.Many years ago.No one wants to listen to the opinions of an old man.”
“I do.Here, open your present.”
I notice the slight tremor in Roger’s hand as he tears the wrapping paper.I’ve noticed the tremors getting worse for a while now.When I first moved in, he didn’t have any shaking at all, and now his right hand is never still.
If hewasmy grandfather, I’d ask him if he’d been to the doctor, but he’s not my grandpa.And it’s none of my business.
“Now, what did you do here?”
“It’s just a scarf,” I say with a smile.“I thought you’d look handsome in it on your morning walks.Until summer, anyway.”
He immediately wraps it around his neck and smiles over at me like a kid at the best birthday party ever.“I love it.Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I spend a few hours with Roger, helping him plan some gardens for his backyard, and we even watch an episode of an old TV show that he likes.After surprising him once more with the cupcake and the birthday candle, I head over to my apartment above the garage.
It’s just a one-bedroom space with a tiny kitchenette, but it’s what I can afford without dipping into my trust fund.
And I’m determinednotto dip into that at all if I can help it.My dad was so mad at me when I wouldn’t let him buy me a fancy house on the ski mountain or in a gated community.But I didn’t want that.
I want this, to live within my means,inthe community.
I want to do this on my own.
And, speaking of my parents, it’s time for my weekly video call with them.So, I change into comfier clothes and settle on the couch with my phone.
Mom answers on the first ring.
“There you are,” she says with a smile.“I wondered if you were going to call tonight.”
“I’m only a half hour late,” I reply and shake my head.Then I look closer.“Mom, do you havepinkin your hair?”
“Yep.”She turns her head so I can see it more clearly.“I used to put colors in my hair all the time before I had you girls, and I’ve decided I want to do it again.How are you, baby girl?”
“I’m great.Iamsorry that I’m late.It’s Roger’s birthday, so I spent some time with him after work.”
“Is it wrong that I kind of love that you’ve befriended an old man in this new town of yours, and I don’t have to worry about some man your age?”
“It’s not wrong.Roger’s sweet.Anyway, what’s Dad up to?”
“I’m here,” I hear him say from somewhere else in the room.“I’m coming.”
Suddenly, they’re both on the screen.Dad might have a couple more gray hairs mixed in with the dark brown, and I’m sure that’s all thanks to me and my move to Montana.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“You look good,” he says.“Are you exercising?”
