Page 26 of Scooter's Endgame
“Um, yeah, I’ve bought gifts for women, just not anything that would be appropriate to give to someoneelse’swoman. Last thing I need is Knight kicking my ass ‘cause I gave his lady lingerie or some shit like that.”
Her snort of laughter is all the answer I get for the long moment it takes her to get herself under control. “Sorry, I’m not laughing at you. But the image you invoked with your words was funny.”
“For you maybe.”
“Why don’t you come on in? I’m just making some lunch for Luke. We can talk while I finish it up.” She turns back toward the kitchen, leaving the door open for me to follow. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Me? No. This” — I hold up the jumbo-sized mug — “is the first thing I’m consuming today.”
She rounds the counter and looks over at me, studying me. “You okay? You look exhausted.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a rough night is all. I struggle with insomnia every now and then. Last night was one of those nights.”
Kathleen tips her chin at the bar stools. “Sit. I’ll make you a grilled cheese. Sorry, it’s as haute cuisine as we’re getting today.”
“Thanks, Kay. I didn’t mean for you to feed me. I just need some help with Indie’s gift. But I’m certainly not turning the offer down.” Just then, Luke comes running into the room.
“Uncle Beckett, hey. Look what I’ve got.”
“What you got there, slugger? Let’s see it.”
He offers me the action figure he’s holding. “I found him in a box in my room. I forgot Mama packed him, and I thought I’d lost him. But now I’ve found him.”
“He’s pretty cool. What’s he from?”
The little guy hops up onto the bar stool beside me and launches into a monologue about the toy and the movie it comes from.
Lunch is a simple meal of grilled cheese and tater tots – God, I can’t even remember when the last time was I had those little potato nuggets – but it’s fun and chatty, laughter the main ingredient. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. And I absolutely love it.
“So how can I help?” Kathleen asks once we’re done eating and Luke’s run off to play in his room. She starts to put the kitchen to rights as we talk, so I hop off my stool to give her a hand. “What are you doing?” Her surprise is clear.
“Helping you clean up.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“You didn’t need to feed me either, yet here we are.”
Kathleen chuckles at my come back. “Well then, have at it. Let it not be said I stood in the way of your right to participate in domestic chores.”
This visit has been an eye-opener for me. This relaxed, funny, teasing version of Kathleen isn’t one I’m used to seeing. Not that I’ve never seen her laugh before, but she’s generally more reserved. It’s awesome to get to see her this way.
“So, is it a state secret, or are you going to tell me what it is you need help with?” she teases.
“Oh, right. Like I said, I need to get a gift for Indie, and I have no clue what to buy her.” I hesitate for a moment, not sure I want to hear the answer, but then bite the bullet and ask. “Er, about tonight, since we’re on the topic …”
I’m not usually the shy, retiring type, but weirdly I can’t get the words out. Mainly because I don’t want to hear her say no.
“Oh yes, you said so. And that reminds me, I meant to let you know that if you still want us to, Luke and I’ll go with you to the party.”
Honestly not what I was expecting her to say, but I can’t deny I’m elated at her answer. “That’s great. Yeah, I absolutely do.”
“Well then, I’ll need to get her something as well. So if you want to give me a budget, I can just get something for you while I’m at it.”
“That would be awesome, thanks.” I’m reaching for my wallet when a thought strikes me. “How are you getting to the stores?”
“I’ll call for a ride. Why?”
“How about this? I take you shopping, you do the buying. Does that work for you?”
