Page 49 of Sycamore Circle

“Mom, what’s wrong with that?”

“We met her. She’s not who we would’ve expected him to date.”

“What happened to stepping outside your comfort zone? Maybe she’s really nice.”

“She’s not.” She lowered her voice. “Your father and I are worried that your brother’s going through some midlife crisis.”

It was all Joy could do not to roll her eyes. “What’s the woman’s name?”

“Candy.”

She did her best not to grin. “That’s cute.”

“It’s not that cute.” She sighed. “I don’t know, dear. I’m trying to be open-minded but sometimes I guess I’m more comfortable when things are as I expected.”

Her mother’s comment stung. Though they’d come around, their first reactions to her divorce hadn’t been exactly supportive. “Expectations don’t always end up how you want them to be.”

“I know. I think you have a point too. I mean, Tony certainly ended up being a putz, didn’t he?”

“You could say that.” Joy usually described him far more colorfully.

“On the bright side, he hasn’t turned out to be a terrible ex-husband.” She sipped her Coke.

Joy knew her mother wasn’t wrong. “Tony and I have settled into a good routine. That’s true.”

Her mother reached out a hand. “You know what? Maybe he’s changed. Maybe you and he—”

She wasn’t even going to let her mother finish that thought. “No. No, Mom.”

“Mom?”

She jumped to her feet. “Hey, Chloe. Look who’s here.”

“Hi, Grandma.” Tossing her backpack on the floor, she trotted over to her grandmother’s side and gave her a kiss. “I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

Sharing a wry look with Joy, she murmured, “Your mother didn’t either.”

“Grandma, you know you aren’t supposed to do that.”

“I already got my lecture. You don’t need to give me another one.” She brightened. “Guess what? I came over to give you something.”

“You did? What?”

“I put it in your room. Want to come see?”

“Of course.”

As they started up the stairs, Chloe called down. “Hey Mom, don’t forget that I have ballet today.”

“I haven’t forgotten. After you look at your present get changed and I’ll get you something to eat.” Seconds later, she heard the telltale squeal of a happy gift card recipient. “Grandma! Oh my gosh! Thank you!”

Joy shook her head. Well, it didn’t look like her mother had listened to her protests about spoiling Chloe either.

When her phone rang, she glanced at it, then seeing it was Bo, answered. “Hi.”

“Hey. You busy?”

“Kind of. I’m about to take my daughter to ballet class.”

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