Page 164 of Keep This Promise
“Oh, yeah, totally sweet and wonderful . . . for a demon,” I muse.
Mama James rolls her eyes. “Maybe if you were nicer.”
“Maybe if he didn’t try to claw my eyes out . . .”
She waves her hand at me. “Oh, stop it. He was trying to climb on you, not claw your eyes out.”
Yeah, sure, we’ll go with that. He waits until her back is turned before he begins his attack. Of course, his stupid angelic face gets him out of trouble.
Eden kisses the top of his head. “He’s the sweetest kitty.”
“He sure is . . . not.”
Mama James sighs heavily. “Eden, any time you want to come cuddle Pickles, you can come here. My house is always open.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re all too happy to give her a reason to visit.”
She smiles. “I miss having a houseful of children.”
I know she does. She was always feeding us and making sure we had cookies. Coming here was the best part of our day. After school, my friends were always trying to convince me to let them share my loot.
Mama James turns to Sophie. “How long are you planning to stay in Rose Canyon?”
“I’m not sure.” Sophie’s voice shakes a little.
“She can stay as long as she likes, but there’s a lot we’re working out.”
“In order to stay, I need to get a job, but . . .”
“Well, if you need help with Eden, I am home all day, and there’s nothing I’d love more than to spend some time with her.”
Oh Lord. “No way are you taking her to your old-lady meetings,” I jump in so Sophie doesn’t have to answer.
“What is wrong with my meetings, and who are you calling old?”
“Your lot. Six old ladies meeting up to gossip under the guise of charity for children, what could go wrong?”
Mama James drops her jaw. “Holden Xavier James, you will not disparage those women. Each one is like a grandmother to you and has always supported you.”
She’s lost her damn mind. “Who? Barbara, who tried to get me to marry her granddaughter who is fifteen years older than I am so I could”—I make air quotes—“fix her? Or maybe Alta, who filmed me rolling through a stop sign, called the cops on me, and played it in church! And then there’s Tina. She is always making lewd comments to me and pinching my butt when I pass by her too closely.” That draws a giggle from Sophie. “All your friends have a few screws loose.”
I don’t bother to mention Marylou, who I suspect put ex-lax in her husband’s milkshakes for years and then complained about his constant stomach issues, or Desiree, who slept with her husband’s brother for years, and I’m not one hundred percent sure her daughter is her husband’s. Yeah, they’re totally the best role models for my daughter.
Mama James stares at me. “Did you run that stop sign, Holden?”
I give up. “Not the point.”
“I think it is. Did Alta need to show it to the church group? No, but she runs the projector and said she put the wrong video clip on the playlist, and I happen to believe her. It’s not her fault you were embarrassed by your own actions. As for Barbara, well, can you blame her? Lizzy isn’t getting any younger, and you’re such a good boy. You could’ve helped her. Tina...that woman is just a horn ball, and I can’t speak for that.” Mama James reaches for her knitting basket. “However, I am practically your mother. I would never harm that child, and you know she’d be well loved with me.”
“I know that.”
“So, your objections aren’t valid, are they?”
Only she can scold me like this. “No, ma’am.”
She nods and turns to Sophie. “I know you don’t know me very well, dear. I am sort of family to you both now, and I would love if you’d come visit during the day. If you need me to watch her while you look for a position, I would be happy to help. We have a youth center in town where Brielle, who you may not have met but is a wonderful girl, works.”
“She’s met Brie,” I explain and instantly wish I hadn’t.
