Page 102 of Off Season

“Fletcher. He’s almost one. He’s a cutie.”

We park in the driveway and get out of the car. Gemma immediately pulls me into a hug. “Sorry for your loss, Kam.”

I tentatively hug her back. “It’s cool. We weren’t close. The world is a better place without her in it.”

She pinches her lips together as she pulls away and nods. “I’m not terribly close with my mother either. Just my grandmother.”

Cheetah and Grammy Jane embrace. It’s so warm and familiar. He lifts and spins her. She simply giggles. “Put me down, you big feline.”

“Takes one to know one, you sassy cougar,” he replies.

Grammy Jane giggles again while Gemma leans over and whispers to me that her grandmother’s boyfriend is much younger than her.

Damn. Good for Grammy Jane. She must be around eighty years old.

Trey kisses my cheek while Cheetah continues to pour love on Grammy Jane. Their mutual affection is clear.

Once he places her feet on the ground, she reaches over and hugs me. “Welcome to my home. We’re so happy to have you both here.”

I like that her expression isn’t one of pity and that she doesn’t offer her condolences. I don’t want either.

I hug her back. “Thanks for having us.” At least I assume she’s having us.

She warmly squeezes my arm. “I’m sure it’s been a difficult time for you. Did you know that life is like a penis?”

Gemma moans in exasperation. “Grammy Jane. She just got here. Behave yourself.”

Grammy Jane shakes her head. “Never, my beautiful Gemma Morgan.”

I smile. “Don’t stop her, Gemma. I’d love to know how life is like a penis.”

Grammy Jane nods emphatically. “Because when life is soft it's hard to beat, but when it's hard you get screwed.”

I start laughing hysterically. I think I love this woman. Now Iknow why Cheetah adores her so much. He watches on with a huge smile covering his face while Gemma and Trey shake their heads like they’ve heard it a million times before.

She rubs my arm. “Happy to have you. We’ll have a little fun for a few days. And all the ladies in this community love Cruz walking around the pool area topless. They sometimes try to get him to go bottomless.”

This woman is a riot, and she’s giving me exactly what I need right now. I’m suddenlyveryhappy to be here.

Cheetah and Trey carry our bags into the house. I look around. It’s a nice place. It’s shockingly modern and well-decorated. Not what you’d expect from a grandmother. My grandparents had floral couches covered in plastic when I was growing up.

Grammy Jane looks around. “Please feel free to help yourself to anything you want. Don’t ask, just take.” She points to a door in the hallway. “That’s my bedroom.” She points to another. “That’s Trey and Gemma’s.” She points to one more. “And that will be yours. Each bedroom has its own bathroom.”

Cheetah looks at Gemma and Trey. “Are you guys sure it’s okay for Fletcher to sleep in your room? I feel bad about taking his room.”

Grammy Jane answers. “We moved his crib to my room, not theirs. I don’t want to prevent Gemma and Trey from playing bam-bam with the ham. I want another great-grandbaby as soon as possible.”

I can’t help but laugh out loud. Cheetah laughs too while Gemma and Trey simply roll their eyes.

Gemma says, “You’re a crazy old lady. I should have you committed.” Before smiling and adding, “But Trey’s ham says thank you, as does my bam-bam.”

Grammy Jane winks before she waves. “I’m off to get my beauty sleep while Fletcher is still sleeping. Like I said, help yourselves to anything you want. I’ll see you all in the morning.”

After we say goodnight to her, Gemma asks if we want to goout back and have a drink. I agree, and she retrieves four beers from the refrigerator. We make our way through the sliding glass door into an unexpectedly expansive backyard. The property overlooks the intracoastal waters. It’s beautiful. There’s a dock with a speedboat and two jet skis.

As we get seated in the large Adirondack chairs, I nod toward the boat and jet skis. “Are those Grammy Jane’s?”

Cheetah nods. “Yep. The boys and I all come here a ton during our Spring Training. We go out on the boat, hang out at the community pool, and ride the jet skis. Grammy Jane’s friends are hell on wheels. We all love them.”

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