Page 32 of Love in the Outfield

“Good for who?”

“Everyone. I’m sure you want to know how we’re going to provide for our grandson and his mother. You will be compensated nicely.”

“I don’t want or need your money. As for Auggie, a college fund would be great.”

“That goes without saying, and we’ll provide child support!”

“You keep saying we. Cade is the daddy. Last time I checked grandparents don’t pay child support.”

She chuckles. “I’m sorry. It’s the royal we.”

“Let me be clear. You do not speak for Cade. He and I are the parents and we’re figuring things out. You are the grandparents and will get to be in his life with conditions.”

She scoffs, already recovered and back on her game. Brow arched she says, “Conditions?”

“Yes, conditions. We don’t have to like each other but I guess we’re stuck with each other. If you so much as say one bad word about me or my family to my son, I will make sure that all your visits are supervised ones. I don’t want you spoiling him rotten either.”

“I have been a mother and a grandmother longer than you’ve been a mother. I think I can use common sense when it comes to my grandson.”

“I certainly hope so.”

“My grandchildren love me and I would never do anything to harm them.”

“Intentionally,” I add.

“Oh brother. You’ve been a mother for all of eighteen months and you have it all figured out?”

“Of course not. But I am the mom, thatismy point. I have the final say.”

“And, mysonisthe father.”

“Got it. Anything else, Wendy?” I say, my voice dripping with disdain as I walk to the door and hold it open.

She stands and stiffly marches to the door. “Nice chat, Georgia. You know I always trust my instincts about people. They’ve never steered me wrong. Goodbye.”

I slam the door as soon as she hits the drive, then break down crying. Damn these tears! That woman is vile. How am I going to put up with her for the next sixteen years and eight months?

15

GEORGIA

I’m still stewing over Wendy Jennings as I put on my signal to turn down our lane. A huge box truck is leaving so I have to wait until he gets out of my way. “What in the world?”

“Twuck,” Auggie says.

“Big truck,” I agree.

After Auggie woke up from his nap we went to the Splash and Play zone to cool off literally and figuratively. We pull down the gravel drive and my jaw drops when I see the biggest bouncy house this side of the Mississippi practically eclipsing the sun. Right in the front yard!Oh no he didn’t!I’m fuming as I unbuckle August from his car seat.

As I stomp over to the bouncy house my mom comes running out. Breathless, she says, “They was finishing up when I got home from the salon. I tried to stop them from leaving but this jump-a-palooza thingy was already inflated and they said they’d lose their jobs. Traveled all the way from California to deliver it. Can you believe that?” Mama and I stand side by side looking at the huge colorful monstrosity. “What in heaven’s name was he thinking?” she says.

I swear my head is about to explode. “He wasn’t. I’m gonna take scissors to it.” “You can’t do that! I looked it up. They cost an arm and a leg. That thing cost upwards of five thousand dollars! I can’t even imagine what shippin’ all the way from California cost!”

Through gritted teeth, I say, “I’m going inside my house right now and getting my knitting needles and nobody can stop me.”

Mama cups her hands around her mouth and screeches, “Doyle! Come here quick.” Then she sticks her thumb and index finger in her mouth and lets out an ear-splitting whistle that could wake the dead. Daddy comes running. It always shocks the daylights out of me that a noise like that can come out of my petite little mom.

“Doyle, please talk some sense into Georgia. She’s about to take scissors to the funhouse.” Auggie has waddled over to the eyesore and is now clapping his hands with glee. Jasper seems excited at this new development and proceeds to hike his leg.

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