Page 69 of Texting My Valentine

Elliot explains about the bike.

“Hmm,” Alex says. “That’s odd. I went over everything on the bike just last week.”

“The wheel was really loose,” Elliot says.

“Where did you keep the bike last night?”

“On the beach,” Elliot says with a guilty shrug. “Why, Uncle Alex?”

“It’s… nothing.”

Alex looks at me over the top of Elliot’s head, suspicion in his eyes. Is he thinking that the Kents had something to do with this?

“We shouldn’t have to wait too long,” Alex says.

“Aren’t you the boss, Uncle Alex?” Elliot says.

“So what? I should cut the line, push to the front, even if somebody else needs to be seen more urgently than we do?”

“No, Uncle Alex,” Elliot replies.

“Good answer, kid. Just because we have money and status doesn’t mean we get to treat other people as lesser.”

“I know,” Elliot says with a sigh.

“How’s the pain?” Alex asks.

Elliot sits up straighter. “I can handle it.”

“You’re being very brave,” I tell him.

Elliot beams at me. “Thanks.”

“Oh, aren’t you just the sweetest family.”

We look up at the woman’s voice. She’s elderly, but stylish, her hair colored to perfection, wearing cream chinos and a sweater vest to match.

“I’m sorry,” she goes on. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Your little family reminds me of mine. They’ve all flown the coop now, of course.”

“We’re not—” I begin, but Elliot cuts in.

“Thank you, miss. They’re the best Mom and Dad ever.” Elliot looks up at me with a grin, his expression one of pure playfulness.

“That’s very nice of you to say, son,” Alex says.

Oh, so that’s how it is. It’s two against one.

“Nice?” The elderly woman beams. “That’s an understatement, young man. Being called thebestby your child… there are no words to describe what an honor that is. It goes far beyondnice.”

“You’re right,” I say. “I take pride in being a mother, but I don’t think I’m the best.”

The elderly woman smiles, looking at me and then Alex. Maybe she’s wondering how old I was when I ‘gave birth’ to Elliot. If she thinks I’m in my late twenties and that Elliot is slightly younger than he is, then the timelines match.

“I won’t ask you the trick question, though,” she says, looking at Elliot, a wicked grin on her face.

“What’s the trick question?”

“Elliot…” I stroke my hand through his hair, shocked by how natural it feels. When he looks at me with bright eyes, I almost regret it.

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