Page 2 of Arse Over Irish Teacup
“I don’t know why you insist on her staying with me. I’ll be fine for a couple of hours. You fuss over me too much.”
“Because I won’t be able to enjoy myself, knowing you’re all alone. Lauren may not be a nurse but she won’t let anything happen to you.”
“What’s going to happen to me? I can hardly put on my dancing shoes and sneak out like a thief into the night.” Gram watched as Bethany walked across the room and wobbled again. Maybe those weren’t such a grand idea after all. “Speaking of shoes. I’m not so sure you should wear those.” Beth was going to sprain her ankle, she just knew it. “You have that lovely pair of flats with the rhinestone buckle.”
“Not tonight, Gram. These go better with this dress.”
“Hello?” Lauren called into the house from the front door, knocking as she opened it. She stepped inside and took off her sneakers as she called over her shoulder. “Gram, I hope you’re ready for me. You and me are going to have a proper girl’s night. I left the kids at home with Alan and I brought usPretty WomanandAn Officer and a Gentlemen, popcorn, and your favorite!”
She entered the family room holding up a bottle of Jameson 18 in one hand and the DVD’s in the other.
“Lauren, she can’t have whiskey!”
“Oh, come on Beth! What’s it gonna hurt?”
“Yeah! I’m already dying. You think a little whiskey is going to do me in? Come here Lauren, honey.” Gram held out her arms to bring the honorary family member in for a hug and kissed her cheek. “How are Alan and the boys?” One would never know Lauren was a lawyer right until her first baby was born. Then after becoming a mom, said she was fulfilled and wouldn’t go back. She hadn’t regretted it yet.
“All of them are good. The boys are all playing softball. So, Alan gets lots of father-son time in as their coach. He loves it.”
Gram gave a thoughtful smile to Lauren. If anyone had told her that the unruly mouth named Lauren would grow up to be mother-of-the-year to three sons and wife to an adoring husband, all after becoming a lawyer, she would have never believed it.
“What will it be? Richard Gere with acrophobia or Richard Gere as an officer?”
“Officer. I never could say no to a man in uniform.”
“You got it.” She turned to Beth. “That dress looks amazing!” She lowered her gaze to Beth’s shoes. “Those shoes look great too—but are you sure about wearing them?” Lauren had been a witness to several high-heeled hell incidents. That poor neighbor cat, it never walked right again.
“Good gracious! I think I can handle a pair of heels for one night. We’re just going to dinner anyway, not for a hike.”
Lauren shared a raised eyebrow look with Gram. Lauren would have an ice pack ready for when Beth returned. She took another look at the high heels and decided on two ice packs. Better to be safe than sorry.
“Who is this guy again?” Lauren asked.
“We met at the market. We both reached for the swiss chard at the same time and our heads bumped.”
“Ew, he eats swiss chard? I don’t like this guy,” Lauren said.
“It’s good for you.”
“It’s the most wretched, vile vegetable to exist. That and kale,” Gram said. “Lauren, she tried to make me eat a smoothie with that garbage in it. That will kill me faster than a whiskey.”
“Gram, I was only trying to?—”
“I know what you were trying to do, and I love you for it. But Bethany, don’t ever do it again. I’m old and dying and I’m not spending my last time here on earth drinking vile green juice.”
Lauren reached into her bag and pulled out a square green Tupperware dish. That could only mean one thing.
“I smell chocolate chip cookies.”
“I baked some fresh for you, Gram!” She opened the lid, releasing the aroma of baking.
Gram selected a cookie and smiled. “They’re still warm. You’re a good girl, Lauren. Thank you.”
Lauren shared a smile with Beth. Gram could have anything she wanted so far as they were concerned. Beth may have expressed her concern over the whiskey, but that was only for show. It was more fun for Gram to have the things she shouldn’t if she thought Beth didn’t approve. But Beth would keep grasping any straw she could to buy her grandmother more time.
A car horn honked from the driveway. “What’s that?” Gram asked. “Was there a car accident?”
Lauren went to the front window and looked out through the curtains. An obnoxious yellow sports car with a racing stripe down the middle blocked the driveway. Good grief. She would save the eye roll for after Beth left. “I think it’s your date.”
