Page 92 of The Fix-Up

The second I disappeared into the other room, I rushed into the bathroom and studied myself in the mirror, seeing the slightly puffy eyes and flushed cheeks. What had just happened? I was supposed to be setting boundaries. I splashed water on my face and dried it as best I could. Back in the kitchen, the murmur of voices drifted in. I quickly warmed up the taco plate I’d set aside for Teddy and brought it to him.

He and Gil had moved to a table. Gil was listening intently as Teddy rambled on, in the middle of one of his stories. I slid his plate on the table and pulled a chair over to sit, not next to Gil—that way seemed dangerous.

“We used to get in all kinds of trouble. Stealing laundry off the line, went cow tipping once.” Teddy’s blue eyes sparkled. “My younger sister was always on our tail. If we wanted to do something, so did she. We blamed a lot of things on her when we got caught. You’d think she’d learn but she always came back.”

“Poor girl,” I said.

“Nah,” Teddy said. “We weren’t mean or nothing. Just making mischief. Wasn’t much else to do. Mom kicked us out when the sun came up to do the chores. After lunch, we weren’t expected back before it got dark.” Teddy smiled softly, watching the memories in his head. “Long, hot summer days. Good times, I miss that.”

“What happened to your sister?” I asked. I hadn’t heard much talk of Teddy or his family. “Is she still in Two Harts?”

“Oh, no.” His smile wilted a bit. “She left a long time ago. Never did come back to Two Harts. She met a nice man in Houston and married real quick. Didn’t even have a wedding really, just went down to the Justice of the Peace. He was from Louisiana, so she moved there.”

“She came back to visit, I bet,” I said.

“I wish she had. Would have loved to meet my niece.” His eyes moved to Gil, watching his face intently. “She didn’t think it was a good idea to come back.”

“Why?”

“It’s complicated, I guess. Easier to stay away.” He frowned. “Sometimes it’s hard being the only one who remembers from back then. Ollie’s gone now. Amelia passed on years ago.”

My heart stopped. Gil’s grandmother’s name was Amelia. He’d said he spent the summers with her in Louisiana. “Amelia?”

I looked to Gil whose gaze had sharpened on the older man.

“My sister,” Teddy replied as he picked up a taco. He gestured toward Gil. “She was your grandma. I guess that makes me your grand-uncle.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

Love is something when you fall in love with someone, and you want them to marry you and stuff. That’s what love means, basically.

—CHRISTIAN L., AGE 9

From the sticky note correspondence of Gilbert Dalton and Ellie Sterns:

Eleanor—

Leaving for Austin. I’ll be back in time for Easter dinner on Sunday. Should I bring anything?

—Gilbert

P.S. I found a bunch of stuff in Ollie’s file cabinet I wanted to show you. When you have time.

Gil—

You don’t need to bring a thing. Just yourself and your smile. (Okay, the smile is a stretch, I know.) Dinner is at 3. Do you know where my brother’s place is?

—Ellie

P.S. Next week some time.

Eleanor—

I’ve been to Chris’s house a few times.

—Gilbert

P.S. Fine.

---