“I might want to play pickleball. The ship does have a court.”
“You tried pickleball and didn’t like it,” Zona reminded her.
“I might want to try it again.”
In the end, no shoe was left behind, although two pairs of jeans and three sweaters were. With a bulging suitcase and a carry-on that looked ready to explode, plus a purse the size of Texas, Louise was prepared.
“You need that many clothes for Hawaii?” Bree commented when she joined Zona and Louise for dinner the night before Louise was ready to leave. “I’d just take my bikini, flip-flops, and shorts.”
Zona hid her smile and refrained from saying anything about their previous conversation.
“You could rock a bikini and shorts all day. Me, not so much,” said Louise. “Anyway, I can’t go on a cruise looking dumpy.”
“You could never look dumpy, Gram,” Bree assured her.
It was true. Louise looked great. She had some wrinkles, of course, and complained bitterly about the crepey skin starting to show on her arms, but she had a lot fewer wrinkles than most of her friends who had been sun worshipers and were now paying for it with lizard skin. Her hair was a carefully curated blond and she had big blue eyes, a cute, small nose (which she’d given to Zona), and full lips (thanks to a certain doctor in Los Angeles).
“I know I’m not going to look like I did when I was your age,” Louise said to Bree. “Or even when I was fifty. But I still want to look the best I can. I think everyone should do that. How you take care of yourself says a lot about what you think about yourself,” she added.
What did Zona’s hair and scruffy nails say about what she thought of herself? She stifled a sigh.
“And the best-looking women attract the best men,” Louise continued.
“There is no such thing as a best man,” muttered Zona.Way to go, scar your daughter for life with your bad attitude.
Too late. She was already scarred thanks to the bad behavior of the men her mother had chosen.
“There are still good ones out there,” Louise insisted.
“Yeah, right,” scoffed Bree.
“I’m serious. Your grandfather was a good man.”
“Part of the patriarchy,” argued Bree, and stuffed a big bite of enchilada in her mouth.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Louise said in disgust.
Bree shrugged.
“I know it looks like everyone these days is cheating or lying,” Louise began.
Or gambling.
“But they’re not. There are still normal people out there who just want to enjoy backyard barbecues and softball games on a Sunday afternoon and a good movie on a Friday night. Take our new neighbor.”
“No, let’s not be taking the new neighbor anywhere,” said Zona. Thoughtaking himwas exactly where her dreams had been headed the night after she’d caught a glimpse of him.
“Neighbor?” asked Bree, raising both eyebrows at her mother.
“Don’t ask,” said Zona.
“He just moved in. No ring on that left hand,” Louise reported.
“That doesn’t mean anything, Gram. He could still be with someone.”
“True,” Louise allowed, “but I haven’t seen anyone.”
“Well, there you go. That proves it,” said Zona.
