Page 72 of Stick Play

By the time I make it upstairs to my place, I’m ready for a hot cup of something and to spend the day relaxing with Zoe and Grant. Problem is, they have other plans, and they don’t really involve me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I ask, as they both slip into their coats.

“Got a call. Need to help my buddy with a car repair over at his shop.”

“Oh, well. Zoe, you don’t have to go. I’m home now. Sorry, Grant. I wouldn’t have taken so long had I known you we’re needed elsewhere.”

“No worries at all. I just got the call, and Zoe wants to go, don’t you, Zoe?”

“Mom, I want to learn how to fix a Cadillac converter. Grandpa is going to teach me. He says mechanics is a good skill to know for when I’m older.”

I do everything in my power not to laugh, because it’s actually a catalytic converter, or cry, because this is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.

“You really want to learn to work on cars?”

She nods quickly. “Grandpa said he could teach me all the things he taught Ash, and that made him a jack in the box.”

Ohmigod.

“Jack of all trades,” I correct gently.

“He said Ash is a man of many talents.”

“Yes, he sure is.” As I think about how he’s going to put those talents to use tonight, when he comes home from travelling, I swallow, begging my body not to react.

“Don’t mind if I put this on, do you?” Grant asks, holding up the hat I’d given Callie to wear that day she showed up here to get her jersey signed.

“Where did that come from?”

“Callie came by to return it. She seemed a bit bored. Said her mom and grandmother were going out to play bingo tonight.” He tugs the hat on and adjusts it in the hall mirror. “She said you might want to join them at the bingo hall.”

Good lord.

“No, I’m not interested in playing bingo tonight, not when we have plans for the game.” I walk past them and set the groceries on the side table. “We’re still on for that, aren’t we?”

“We sure are, love,” Grants says. “I told Callie that and well…” He pauses and I suck in a breath as I eye him. “I asked her to join us. I hope that’s okay with you.” He hangs his head. “I’m sorry. I know I should have asked first. She just seemed so lonely. If I overstepped?—”

“It’s okay, Grant. The more the merrier.” Honestly, I love how he cares about others and how inclusive he is. His son is the same way, although I’m not sure he would want to be hanging out with Callie, not with the way she puts her hands all over him.

He smiles, and looks somewhat relieved that he hadn’t overstepped. “You’re good with us going to the shop?”

“It’s safe?”

“I wouldn’t let anything happened to this little chicken nugget.” He puts her hat on her head, and pulls her zipper to her neck.

Zoe laughs. “Mommy, Grandpa calls me chicken nuggets. That’s so silly.”

“It is silly,” I agree as Grant beams at me. “You be good, okay?” I tap my daughter’s nose. “You listen very carefully and don’t touch anything you’re not supposed to touch.”

“I won’t.”

I pause for a second to think about what I’m doing. While I’d like to keep my child in bubble wrap, learning new things is good for her. So is spending time with her new best friend. I hand my keys over. “Why don’t you take my car? The booster seat is in the back.”

“Sounds good. Need anything while we’re out?”

Those words give me pause, and my heart squeezes tight as my brain takes a quick trip down memory lane. How many times did my grandfather run errands and ask my grandmother if she needed anything? This, right here, is what home and family is all about and I want it more than I ever wanted it before.

“I think I got everything for tonight.”

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