Page 93 of The Perils of Pretending
Max squeezes my palm. “Same.”
“You two make this old man happy.”
I smile. “Your grandson makes me happy.”
Max clears his throat. “Alrighty. Enough of the mushy stuff. Sadie, let my grandpa and me give you a tour of his fishing shed out back. It’s impressive.”
Alex swipes a hand in the air. “You’re being too complimentary. It’s a dilapidated old barn full of junk.”
Max shakes his head. “He’s lying.”
I stand, forcing Max to do the same since we’re still holding hands. “I think I should judge it for myself. Lead the way, gentlemen.”
Max helps Alex stand, then we follow him to his backyard. The large wooden shed tucked into the back corner of the property, just like the interior of the house, is old, but it’s in good condition.
Alex flings the light switch and I step inside. My eyebrows rise. Wow. That’s a lot of fishing gear. It’s neatly organized with poles hanging on the walls. On the left side of the shed, there’s a counter full of tackle boxes. Each one has hooks, bait, line, and weights meticulously lined up. “This looks like a store.”
Alex hooks a thumb through his suspenders, running his hand up and down. “It’s not much, but I’ve always enjoyed fishing. This place is where I come to tinker when Marjie and I need a little space from each other.It’s important in a marriage for each person to have hobbies they like to do together, and ones they can do on their own.”
Max claps Alex on the shoulder. “Sound advice, Grandpa. Thank you.”
Max and I have it covered. I have books to keep me company when I want or need alone time. Max has hockey and woodworking. Together, we can travel, find new restaurants we enjoy, and go ice skating. “Any other advice you can offer after being married as long as you have?”
“Oh.” Alex scratches his chin. “The biggest advice I can offer is to forgive often, admit when you’re wrong, and whenever you’re at the store, bring home something you know your spouse will like. It helps them to know that even when they’re not with you, you’re thinking of them.”
His advice seems simple. I know forgiving and admitting when I’m wrong doesn’t always come easy, but bringing something home for Max definitely is easy. “I love that. Thank you.”
“Next time you come up, Max, we’ll have to take Sadie here fishing.”
I’m grateful I spent as much time as I did in Homer checking off items on my bucket list, but being here, where there’s no tension or worry, is peaceful. “Lucky for you, Alex, I think we’re going to aim to come back next summer.”
Max and I discussed it on the drive up. I want to finish the list Dad made for me and spend more time in Alaska seeing where Max grew up. We thought about coming over fall break but decided we’d have more time to stay if we came during the summer when it’s easier for Max to take extra days off.
“I hope you do. We’d enjoy having you two stay for more than a night.”
“Here you all are!” Max’s grandma says, coming into the shed. She’s wearing black polyester pants, a yellow shirt, and a white sweater. Her white hair is in a short straight bob. “I looked all over the house when Isaw the car in the driveway and thought you'd decided to leave when I couldn’t find you.”
She reminds me of my Grandma Sue. Immediately, I’m at ease and want to know more about her.
“Sorry we worried you, sweetheart. Max wanted to show off my fishing gear to Sadie.”
Max’s grandma turns her attention to me. She claps her hands in front of her. “Oh, sweet girl. You are beautiful and have such a light about you!”
My heart fills with warmth like the sun itself is shining on it. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to come help me make dinner while these two finish up here?”
I glance at Max. I barely met the woman. As friendly as she is, I’m not sure I want to be alone with her. But as she stands there, smiling at me with such warmth in her gaze, I change my mind. “Will you tell me all the shenanigans Max got into as a boy?”
“Like the time Max begged Alex and me to take him to the gas station to get a slushie, then he drank it so fast he ended up throwing up all over my car on the short drive home?”
I laugh and cringe as a vision of red watery puke all over the back seat of a car swims to life in my mind. “Yes, stories exactly like that.” Was this what started Max’s aversion to sweets?
Max jumps in. “You know what, Grandma, we're done here. I'll help prepare dinner as well.”
Alex ushers us out of the shed. “Son, it won’t stop us from telling stories about you.”
Yes!
