Page 56 of Of Literature and Lattes
“No. It sounds like it was the right thing to do. Maybe we should stay closed tomorrow.”
“Up to you.”
There was something in Ryan’s tone that cued Jeremy. More was coming. The three words had the derisive cut of hisYou’re the boss, but there was an added finality.
“I’m out.” Ryan pushed off the counter.
“What?” Jeremy stepped forward again, then immediately stepped back. It felt aggressive.
“I’m out. I saw us building this place together, but you never did. It’s time for me to move on.”
“Please don’t leave. I...” Jeremy stalled with the realization he had no right to ask, even beg Ryan to stay. What man would or could? “Are you leaving Winsome?”
Ryan crossed the kitchen toward him and slid his book off the desk. “I haven’t got a clue what comes next. I only know it doesn’t involve this place, or you.” He then scanned the kitchen area as if searching for what was his and what more he needed to take.
“Give me a chance.” Jeremy stretched out his hand.
Ryan chuffed and waggled his book, drawing Jeremy’s eyes to the worn, bent paperback. “I’m no Candy.” He looked around the kitchen. “Keep your own dream.”
With that he pushed out the alley door and Jeremy stood alone.
Chapter 25
Alyssa flipped through television channels, seeing nothing.
Janet, just returned from the grocery store, had called from the kitchen as she entered the house. “Your dad has work stuff tonight, but Grandma called and would like to come for dinner to see you. Is that okay?”
“Sure,” Alyssa had called back.
“Alyssa?” Janet then materialized at the family room door. Her face was soft, expression almost anxious.
Alyssa stared.
“Don’t believe everything she says about me. If I was ever the person Grandma sees, I’m not anymore.”
Saying nothing more, her mom had rolled off the doorjamb and returned to the kitchen.
Now Alyssa sat. Wave upon wave of emotion, new perceptions grasped but not fully understood, crashed over her until she wasn’t sure what was real and what might have been the “intestinal soothing medications” the doctor prescribed.
She tried to sort through it and felt a hard nugget of guilt sitting at the bottom. She had fed the animosity between mother and daughter over the years, she couldn’t deny it—not to herself, not now. She had played into her mom’s rocky relationship with her grandma, finding safe harbor in her grandma’s critical and exacting nature, relishing that it was directed at her mother and mirrored, even augmented, her own resentments.
But the last eighteen hours had changed that. They had changed everything. And it wasn’t just the diagnosis, though that had been a shock. It was the fact that, stripped bare of every defense, curled into a hospital bed, scared and in excruciating pain, there was only one person she wanted near. She needed only one person not to leave, not to abandon her, but to stick close and endure every step with her. And her mom had done that—and more.
Alyssa clicked off the television, pushed off the couch, and padded into the kitchen. “What are you making?”
“I found a wonderful soup recipe while you were napping. Lots of root vegetables, all cooked in a bone broth. Very healing.” She smiled. “And I hope tasty.”
“Am I going to have to eat like this forever?” Alyssa’s voice cracked.
Janet smiled. “Dr. Laghari said this is for a few days, but it’s where we start, okay? One meal at a time.”
Alyssa nodded and dropped onto the stool. “About Grandma...?” She started it as a statement. It morphed to a question. Then she dropped it altogether.
Janet sighed and picked up the baton. “You don’t need to worry about her, or me. We’re fine and always will be... It’s just... when you two get together, there’s no winning for me.” She waved a carrot at her daughter. “I’m not complaining. I’m glad you have her, but no matter what she says, please know I’m doing my best for her. Maybe that wasn’t always the case. I’ve been pretty selfish in my time, but I’m trying now. Did you know I originally asked her to come live here, with me?”
Alyssa guffawed.
Janet raised a brow. “That was her reaction too. Laughed, then flat out refused. But I would have loved to take care of my mom.”
