So a couple years ago, I'd invented this little envelope-stuffing job. It wasn't much, but it paid her rent, and kept her entertained. Today, the entertainment seemed more of the kill-the-graphic-designer variety.
I glanced at the flyer. "I thought you liked cats."
"Yeah, and I like 'em too much to subject 'em to this horseshit." She glanced down to the paper in her hand. "Precocious to perfect, my ass."
"Hey," Josh said, "doesn't anyone care what I have to say?"
Oh, I cared alright. But not in the way Josh thought. He was happy. Grandma was mad. And soon, I'd be in the middle. And there was only one person who caused this particular dynamic.
My mom.
I turned to Josh. "Sorry," I said. "What's your news?"
He grinned. "Mom's invited us over for Thanksgiving."
It was official. Thanksgiving was my least favorite holiday, ever. "Oh that's really nice," I said. "But we already have plans."
"That's the best part," Josh said. "She said we could do it on Friday. You know, the day after?"
I blew out a breath.Twodays of family fun. How did I ever get so lucky?
Josh's smile faded. "Aren't you happy?"
"Yeah. Totally." I summoned up a smile of my own. "But you know how hectic her schedule is."
Boozing, sleeping all day, hanging out with random losers, it was a real time sink. It didn't just keep her away from her kids. It kept her away from gainful employment, which was probably just fine with her.
"I mean, it sounds like fun," I said, "but we probably shouldn’t get our hopes up."
"She's not gonna cancel this time," Josh said. "She promised."
I gave a small nod. "That's good."
"Remember that last apple pie?" Josh said. "Oh man, that was the best, ever."
I nodded. I remembered the pie perfectly. I was the one who made it. Mommy Dearest? She was too busy being passed out on the kitchen floor. It was three o'clock in the morning, and I'd come home from waitressing find her lying there with a half-empty bottle of apple schnapps.
It would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.
"Maybe she'll make it again," Josh said as he got up from his seat and headed off toward the bathroom."
"Or maybe," Grandma muttered after the door closed behind him, "some cat'll chew her face off first."
I felt myself nod. Better hers than mine.
On my way out, Grandma handed me a huge white envelope containing something flat and stiff. "Just in case," she said.
I looked down. "Just in case what?"
"In case they don't pay. You know, the house-sitting people."
"But they did pay," I said.
"Yeah, but you got another payment due next week, right?"
I felt my eyebrows furrow. "Yeah?"
"So, if they don't pay, you give 'em that."
