“Wow,” Bree said. Then she jumped up with a squeal and ran to hug both Louise and Martin. “I’ll pay for all my books and living expenses,” she promised.
“And provide free nursing care,” Louise said, hugging her back.
“Absolutely,” Bree said.
“I still can’t believe it,” she said to Zona as Zona walked her to her car later. “Did you know about the tuition thing?”
Zona shook her head. “I had no idea. I didn’t even know about the wedding until I got home from work. And I sure didn’t know about the house. Your grandmother is one big bundle of surprises today.”
Bree’s happy expression got overtaken by one of concern. “Mom. Are you wanting to get together with Alec?”
Without a cosmic sign, no. Sadly, depressingly, no. “Don’t worry. I won’t. No matter what your Gram says.”
“But do you want to?” Bree persisted.
Wanting had nothing to do with it. “I’m not going to do anything to hurt you,” said Zona. Much as she missed him, much as she wished things could be different. She sighed inwardly.
“That’s not what I asked. I know you were into him.”
“I was, but I can’t drag you through any more turmoil.”
Bree took in a deep breath. “I hate to see you go through any more crap, Mom.”
Zona nodded. It was settled. She had a house. She’d learn to love living in it alone.
They stood together a moment in silence. Bree was the first to break it. “But I don’t have to worry about him getting my college money. And it won’t be my car getting keyed if his sister comes back.”
A little seed of hope sprouted. “Stepsister,” Zona corrected.
“Creepsister,” said Bree with an eye roll. “I don’t want to see you get hurt again, but you already are, aren’t you?” Zona started on a half-hearted protest that she wasn’t, but Bree stopped her. “I can see it. You act like you’re fine, but your smile is off. Sometimes you look like the first victim in the zombie apocalypse. I hate that for you.”
“Don’t worry about me,” said Zona. “You just live your own life and be happy.”
Bree’s mouth corkscrewed. “I haven’t been happy all summer.”
“I noticed,” Zona teased.
“I hate men! Look what they do to us.”
“Yeah, they make us miserable. Except for the good ones. Your Gram’s found a good one.”
“Maybe you have, too. Maybe you should give it a try.”
Zona had to have misheard. She stared at her daughter.
“I mean, what if Gram’s right? I don’t want it to be my fault if you’re alone all your life and end up a crazy cat lady.”
“I like cats.”
“You like Alec James, too. And at least we know he’s not an abuser or a murderer. And he did fix your car.”
“Are you sure?”
Bree bit her lip. “Not really. But I don’t want to be stuck with the blame if you get any more depressed. He doesn’t gamble, does he?”
“I don’t think that’s his thing.”
Bree nodded. “Well, then, go for it.”
