Page 98 of Dirty Pucker

She lets out a nervous laugh and opens a different cabinet. “How about some herbal tea?”

She starts to pull a tea bag from the container but drops it. She sighs, like she’s annoyed with herself.

My chest aches. She’s shaken up from the break-in. I walk up to her and gently take the container of herbal tea bags. “Why don’t I do it?”

“Goodness, that would make me a terrible hostess.”

I smile at her. “I insist. I’d really like to. That way you can sit and rest for a moment.”

She offers a tired smile. “You’re so sweet. Thank you.”

“It’s no problem at all.”

She sits down at the nearby kitchen table. I spot the tea kettle on the stove, fill it with water, and set it back on the burner. I flip on the knob and grab three mugs from the floating shelf on the wall.

I drop a tea bag in each mug, then go to sit down at the table with her.

“I’m so embarrassed, being waited on by a guest in my own home.” She lets out an uneasy laugh.

“Oh gosh, please don’t even worry about it. You’ve been through a lot. The least I could do is make you a cup of tea.”

She offers a small smile.

“Are you okay? Is there anyone you’d like me to call? I’m friends with your daughter Dakota, I could call her and let her know you’re alright.”

She shakes her head. “That’s so nice of you, but it’s okay. I don’t want to worry her.”

The tea kettle boils. I stand up and pour the hot water into the tea mugs. I grab two of them and walk back to the dining table. I set the mugs down and sit.

“Did Del mention it was his dad that tried to break in?” Nancy asks.

I nod. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

Her delicate shoulders fall. “I honestly thought we were in the clear. It had been years since he tried to contact any of us. But then, just a few months ago, he called me out of the blue. He threatened me and said he wanted me to buy him out of his share of the house.”

She lets out a heavy sigh. “The nerve of that man. We bought this house together when Del was a baby, but I was the one who made all the payments. He was too busy drinking and gambling to hold down a job for longer than a month. I can’t believe what I ever saw in him.”

She shakes her head, like she’s disappointed in herself. “But I was young and naive. He was older. He made all these promises.”

She’s quiet for a long moment before she speaks again. “I finally came to my senses and divorced him. And then he disappeared. And as sad and difficult as it was, life was so much better for us. For years. But then, after all that time being a ghost, he shows up, demanding money.”

Her eyes go glassy with unshed tears. I grab a paper napkin from the holder at the center of the table and hand it to her. She thanks me and dabs at her eyes.

“Gosh. Listen to me. Unloading my life story onto a stranger. I’m so sorry.”

I reach over and pat her hand. “It’s okay. I’m happy to listen. And I appreciate you trusting me enough to tell me about this.”

She wipes her nose and manages a small smile. “My son is a bit of a loner. He spends time with his teammates, but that’s about it. So I know that for him to be with you, he must trust you. You clearly mean a lot to him.”

My heart flutters hearing what Nancy says. I wonder if that’s really true.

And then a second later, I realize it’s not that I’m wondering. Ihopethat Del thinks I’m special. Ihopethat I mean a lot him.

“You did an incredible job raising him,” I say. “He’s a wonderful person.”

Emotion flashes in her rich brown eyes. The same beautiful, soulful eyes that Del has.

This time when she smiles, she looks happy. She grabs my hand. “That’s the best compliment I could ever hear as a mother. Thank you.”

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