Page 61 of Love is Grand

“Oh, can I have the bottle?” Weezie exclaimed. She was wild for those glass bottles of Coca-Cola.

“Not by the pool. No glass.”

I bit back a smile at that, wondering how Cal had turned so paternal so quickly for someone who hadn’t wanted a family.

He made a fancy show of pouring the drink from high above the cup and presenting it to Weezie with a bow. I had work to do, but hadn’t been able to tear my gaze away from the scene.

Weezie sipped her soda while Cal set the glass bottle on the table before returning next to her, dipping his legs into the jacuzzi too. He’d been wearing board shorts and a T-shirt when we arrived, ready to hang with Weezie, which was why he was taking a shower and changing right now while I fussed with the table.

I jumped when I heard his deep voice outside. “You don’t have to do that. They can.” He nodded his head toward the kitchen where an island catering staff prepped the barbecue.

“I do,” I whispered.

“Mom, I’m staying here with the bottle,” Weezie yelled from the couch.

She was never going to sleep later after all the sugar. For a quick second, I thought about suggesting we spend the night at Cal’s. Maybe then he would second-guess all this shacking up when he was on the island.

“I like helping,” I told him. “I’ve never had a party catered in all my life. Even my wedding, my mom and I did all the cooking for the reception.”

Cal’s face scrunched up, his brow furrowing.

Immediately, I said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

He came closer. “You didn’t. The deadbeat did.” Cal’s voice was low, his words meant for only me. “Now, let’s go get you a water and you can sit down.”

We didn’t have a chance, because my parents walked right through the gate and into the backyard.

“We’re here,” my mom called out. “We figured it was out back,” she said, her head on a swivel as she took in the place.

Without missing a beat, Cal said, “Perfect. Come on in and let me get you a drink.”

My mom asked for a glass of wine. My dad opted for a Coke like Weezie, who had jumped off the couch and was chattering to him how he couldn’t have the bottle outside.

Cal seemed to be taking it all in stride.

“Have a seat,” he told my mom. “Inside, outside, wherever you’re comfortable.”

Mom sat down on an outside chair and looked at Weezie. “Baby girl, go put a coverup on. It’s not polite to dance around in your swimsuit when we eat.”

“But I want to go in the hot tub again, Abuela.”

“Is she allowed?” My mom looked at me.

“There’s no rules here, apparently,” I whispered.

Mom sniffed. “Kids need rules.”

My mom was a walking contradiction, a nonstop yin-yang of feelings and emotions and actions. Don’t pay Cal back. Make Cal bend to your rules. Force Cal into commitment.

“It’s okay, she’s having fun,” I said to my mom, and then told Weezie, “Ten minutes.”

She nodded and walked-ran over to the hot tub.

Cal appeared with the drinks and hollered, “One sec,” to Weezie.

“I’m fine,” she hollered back.

I could see his struggle. He wanted to look after Weezie and be responsible, and he was, but he also didn’t want to ignore my folks.

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