Page 60 of Dear Adam
“Glenda, that’s only two weeks away. I can’t finish this joborexpect her to forgive me in two weeks.”
“About that,” Glenda says, avoiding my gaze. “The clients called yesterday and want to cancel the extra kitchen project. They said they under-budgeted and can only afford the spare bathroom now.” She glances at my pizza again, and then steals it from my plate.
“You just watched me lick that,” I say, fighting the urge to gag as she stuffs it into her mouth anyway. “They canceled the entire kitchen project?” She nods. “A spare bathroom will only take a few days,” I say, my heart sinking.
“That gives you more time to pack and think about how you’re going to tell your girl you’re sorry,” Glenda says.
“I guess now is as good a time as any to talk about your future with the company,” I say wearily.
“Don’t worry about it,” Glenda says and pats my knee.
“Do you already have something else lined up?” I ask. “I’d give you a reference, you know. As much as you irritate me, I’ll do whatever I can to get you a good job when this is over.”
“Oh honey,” she says. “Don’t worry at all. I’m coming to Charleston with you.”
“You’re coming…with…me?” I repeat, confused.
“Teenie and I are starting a business together. We’re not sure what yet, but we’ll figure it out. Charleston is full of possibilities.”
“Where are you going to live?” I ask, afraid of the answer.
“With your parents, of course.”
“There’s only two bedrooms.”
“Right, so you’ll be on the couch. But it’ll only be temporary. Hey, why don’t we make it a game? See who can find a place first?” Glenda asks, her cheeks rosy with excitement.
“Glenda,” I say, exasperated, her name like a curse word. “It’s getting late. I think it’s time you head home.”
She checks the watch she wears religiously on her left arm. It’s the gold kind with a stretchy band and numbers the size of Texas. “It’s only seven,” she says. “The night is still young. And what if you need me?”
“I won’t need you,” I say with a pointed look at the door.
“About that…” Glenda says. “I sort of already sold my house.”
“What?Why? Where are you going to stay?”
“With you, of course,” she repeats.
I sigh and sink back into the couch cushions, wondering where exactly I went wrong.
Chapter twenty-eight
Aly
“Ireallywishyoucould give me some advice right now.”
I sit on the edge of Adam’s bed and watch the steady rise and fall of his chest, reassured that, even if he isn’t awake, he’s still here with me.
“I’ve made such a mess of things, and I don’t know how to fix any of them. My porch is a disaster. Emma and I tried to demolish it, and that went about as well as you’d expect. My heart is in no better shape.” With a sigh, I add, “Levi and I got into a big fight and I told him to leave and go back to California.” A tear glides down my cheek and falls to the floor. I sniffle and wipe at my eye with the back of my hand. “He really hurt me, Adam. I wish you could tell me what to do.”
The door opens with a surprised, “Oh.” My mom softly shuts the door behind her and joins me on the other side of Adam’s bed. “I didn’t know you would be here.”
“I’m here a lot, actually,” I say defensively.
Mom sighs and sets down the bag she’s brought with her. “I didn’t mean it like that, Alyson. You just startled me, that's all.” She digs into the bag, pulls out a bumper sticker that says, “Proud Weenie Dog Dad,” and sets it on the table beside him.
“What is that?” I ask.
