Page 58 of The Sweet Spot

“I think so,” I said, popping a breakfast potato in my mouth. I had no idea how she seasoned them, but they were beyond delicious. Just the right amount of salt and spices.

“Have you ever seenCannonball Run? It is my mom’s favorite movie. I watched it all the time as a kid, and she’s in that. I don’t know if that’s the movie she won the Oscar for. Probably not, but I’m going to google it later. Anyway, she’s the best.”

When she went off in all directions during a conversation, she was having a good day, and now I was going to have to ruin it for her. I needed to find an approach that would soften the blow, but how did I tell her that my parents wouldn’t like her at all? That they probably hated Sally Field andCannonball Run?

“I think I’ve seen the movie. Weren’t there sequels?”

“DefinitelyCannonball II. I have no idea if there were any after that. My mom only watched those two. I think she had a thing for Burt Reynolds.” She stopped, and I could tell something popped into her head. “We were invited to the Kodiaks Christmas. I totally get it if you don’t want to go. Or you don’t want me to go.”

I stopped chewing and then swallowed before speaking. She really was all over the place this morning. “Why wouldn’t I want you to be there?”

“Apparently, you always go alone.”

How much had these women told her? “To be honest, I hate going, but I also didn’t want to bring someone I wasn’t serious about, but we can definitelygo.”

“That doesn’t sound very convincing.”

I frowned. It really didn’t. “I’m not the best at mingling.”

“You rocked the drag show.”

“But I didn’t know anyone there. Teammates and their significant others is a different matter.”

“I’m good either way,” she said as casually as possible.

She wanted to go because people loved her. Just like they loved Sally Field, so I would put on a smile and go for her.

But it was time for the talk. I couldn’t hold out any longer.

“Why don’t you sit down and eat with me,” I said. “There is lots of food here.”

“Okay,” she said, first grabbing a cup of coffee. She scooped some oatmeal and breakfast potatoes on her plate. She’d made an extra poached egg for me, but I told her to eat it. There was no way I could eat another open-faced sandwich, so she made one for herself.

“So my parents are coming in on Monday and staying until Thursday. I know I mentioned that they were visiting,” I said.

“Right. Do you want me to do any meal prep for you? I’m not going home until January for a visit, and I do want to spend at least Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with my friends. You are totally invited, and I’m sure your parents can come too. Tangi wouldn’t mind.”

I had a feeling she’d mind in more ways than one. I’d wondered if she would tell Wolseley about the conversation I’d had with her, but so far, Tangi had kept it to herself because if she’d told Wolseley, Wolseley would’ve already given me grief over it.

“I can assure you that no one wants my parents around.”

“The invitation is open,” she said, not catching the hint.

I tapped the counter with a finger. How did I approach this?

“Good to know, but my parents won’t wantto go. And about them …” I scratched my ear and groaned. “You know my dad is an asshole. I’ve made that clear, right?”

“A few times,” she said, the smile slipping from her face. Maybe the tone of my voice was clueing her in.

“I want to give you the option of not being here. My mom can be okay, but my dad has a lot of opinions, and I know for a fact that they won’t gel well with any of yours.”

“Oh,” she said.

“And he likes to mock people. He also thinks he’s always right. He gets defensive easily, and he snaps at people because he just doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings.”

“Oh boy,” she said, pushing her plate away.

“Let me put it to you this way: he’d hate Sally Field.”

---