“Gram,” Bree scolded.
“Bree, dear, there’s going to come a time when your mother will move forward and find someone,” Louise said.
Bree looked suspiciously at Zona. “Not that someone. Mom, his stepsister.”
“Will be locked away,” said Zona.
Bree’s brows lowered. “But not forever,” she said in a voice of doom.
“Let’s not put our lives on hold for some nebulous day in the future when something might happen,” Louise said. “You need to let your mother make her own decisions. She’s taken enough hits. She’s wise enough now to know what bullets to dodge.”
Am I?Zona asked herself. Where was that darned sign when you needed it?
“Now, you two, finish that ice cream and let’s talk about my wedding,” said Louise.
Bree snatched the ice cream back from Zona, sat down, and dug into it. “You two are driving me cray-cray.” But after that she didn’t say anything more. Instead, she weighed in on the wedding plans, starting with finding a dress she liked. “That shade of brown looks good on the model so it will look good on us,” she said, turning her phone so Zona could see.
Zona was still in shock and could only nod and smile and say, “Sure.” A wedding in the backyard. Of her house. Wow. Cupid wasn’t coming through with any firm confirmation, but this kind gift from her mother was certainly an assurance that her financial future was going to be secure.
Martin showed up half an hour later and was given a brownie and apologies that the ice cream was all gone.
He patted his middle. “That’s okay. I’m watching what I eat. Want to take off a few pounds before October,” he added, and winked at Louise.
“Congrats, Martin,” Bree said, and hugged him. “Welcome to our reality show family.”
“Glad to be part of it,” he told her. He bent and kissed Louise. “How’s my darling?”
Darling barked and wagged his tail, making everyone laugh.
“We’re both great,” Louise said, reaching up a hand to take his. “Sit down and we’ll tell you all about our wedding plans.”
“Can I at least get you something to drink?” Zona offered. “Lemonade, an Arnold Palmer?”
“Just water,” he said. He took the chair next to Louise and kissed her again, then said, “And kisses. That’s all I need,” making Louise giggle.
“You two are enough to put us in a diabetic coma,” Bree teased.
“Good thing you’re going to become a nurse. You can save us if that happens,” said Louise.
Bree smiled. “I still can’t believe I’m finally going to get to start school.”
“And finish it,” Louise told her. “Martin and I are going to give you the rest of the money you need so you and your mother can quit worrying. And driving strangers all over town,” she added, looking at Zona.
Now it was Bree gaping in shock.
“Oh, not in one chunk. We’ll dole it out as you need it,” Louise said. “Merry Christmas early.”
“Gram, you don’t have that much money,” Bree protested.
“I do,” said Martin. “Always been a saver. I can spare enough to help my new granddaughter get through nursing school.”
Bree looked from one to the other. “I can’t take your money, you guys. You need it for your old age.”
“Between the two of us, we have enough for our old age,” Louise assured her. “And if we run out, Martin will get a job as a greeter at Walmart,” she added, and winked at him.
Bree was still looking dubious.
“We’ll be fine,” Martin assured her. “Not every millionaire drives a BMW or lives in a mansion.”
