Page 22 of My Wife
“I thought I’d left the past behind here in Nebraska, but all those years of rejection resulted in me going along with the Coogans because I thought they genuinely liked me.”
Grandma Dolly signs, “Sounds like you got love bombed.”
“I temporarily had a potato for a brain.”
She cracks a smile.
I apologize because I now clearly see how wrong it all was. I tell my grandmother that I don’t plan on getting married anytime soon, but next time, she’ll be the guest of honor.
She offers to make me eggs and toast, but I take another cookie. I know I’ve been forgiven even if I don’t deserve it.
We chat some more and then she brings me to my old room, now her crafting space.
I’d like to say I fall into bed and get some much-needed rest. Instead, my mind churns, flashing with images of the video call Rexlan accidentally made to his mother while eloping. My thoughts flash forward through the cake binge drive here and skid to a stop in front of the big brute of a man and his sweet little son at the bakery.
Or maybe I am sleeping and this is my body telling me I need to use the bathroom. Pee dreams are the worst.
I get up and find the sun low in the sky. Checking the clock, I must’ve been out for over six hours—a record as of late. I’m lucky if I get in two hours of solid sleep at a time before I wake up as wired as if I’d just downed a double shot of espresso.
Next to a plate of shortbread cookies, Grandma Dolly left me a note saying she’ll be gone for the afternoon for an appointment and errands, but she’ll be home in time to watch the Knights game.
Some things never change and I’m grateful for that.
Tonight, we’ll both curl up on the couch with a bowl of cookie snack mix between us. It’s Grandma Dolly’s special blend of cookie crumbles, pretzels, raisins, M&Ms, and the usual cereal bites. It’s a sweet and salty treat that can’t be beat.
She’ll tell me about this year’s lineup for the team. Mr. Meanie bursts into my mind. There’s no denying how rude he was. He wasn’t a gentleman, he was aroughman. A big brute and I hope he wishes he’d let the poor woman in the wedding dress use the bathroom this morning.
I start toward the refrigerator but am stuck. My gown snags on a drawer handle. Yes, I’m still wearing it. May as well get my money’s worth—not that I paid for it. Also, I need help getting it off. Sorsha said there are ties under the zipper to “Keep all the fluff tucked in.” That’s a direct quote.
Letting out a breath through my nose, I decide to wear this thing until it’s in shreds. After my second cookie, I change my mind. Actually, no, I want to forget this day, er, yesterday ever happened.
Los Angeles was an aspirational move. I had grand plans of living a stellar starlet life. Still do. I’m not sure what that will look like or where it’ll be, but I’ll only stay in Cobbiton temporarily. I don’t want to impose on Grandma Dolly’s generosity or have anyone find out that thediemcarpedme more than Icarpedit.
@THEPUCKPOST
Number forty-five @TheRealLiamEllis for the Nebraska Knights hasn’t been spotted since Christmas Eve. Rumors circulate that he was sidelined for naughty behavior. Maybe Santa didn’t check his list twice.
The defenseman generates buzz on and off the ice. Especially when matched up against Henri Valjean—the two have unspoken beef and lay on the lumber, resulting in a long list of penalties.
Last year, in an explosive post, the Titans D accused Ellis of busting his shoulder. After an investigation, officials deny this, citing a preexisting injury. Critics suggested Ellis has an anger management problem. Diehards suggest Valjean purposefully antagonizes him. However, the damage to his reputation was done.
These antics resulted in him being named The Beast as well as heated debates among fans, some praising him for his tenacity and others criticizing him for his sudden scarcity.
Most recently, sources speculate that he came unhinged during the Christmas Eve game, laughed his coach out of the locker room, and was subsequently sent on a two-week vacation. So we’ve heard.
While we don’t see a record of a fine imposed against the goon, maybe he slipped someone a big bill and they called it good.
All we know is the Knights will face the Titans again, including Hendrix Ellis, Liam’s brother who wasn’t available for comment.
Is Liam in the permanent penalty box or did a distraction result in a temporary hiatus, putting this member of hockey royalty on the rocks?
5,196 Likes
@WriterOnTheStorm: Ellis is a showman. He will do anything, including knocking around Valjean, for attention.
@DollyPuckton: Watch your mouth, young man.
@HockeyAddict764: The speculation is exhausting. Just tell us facts, including when he’ll be back.
