Page 87 of Fluke
The line clicks, and she’s gone.Not even a goodbye.
I blow out a breath, anger and frustration licking at old wounds.No, Mom, you “gave” up many years ago. Unlike a certain man who says he’s waited for me for fifteen years.
Thoughts of my family evaporate and are replaced by thoughts of Jess.He’ll be here soon. I better hurry.
I tug my suitcase off the bed and wheel it by the front door. Then I hurry to the kitchen and collect the containers I made for Honey before jetting over to her house.
The sun is scalding as I stand on the porch and knock on the door. I peer in the window and spot her waving me in.
“Look at you,” I say, stepping inside. “It’s nice to see you up and moving around.”
“I’m a bit slower than I’d like, but I’m getting there.”
I close the door behind me and follow Honey into her kitchen. “I’m going out of town for a few days and was planning on making stuffed peppers this week like we talked about the other day.”
She stops at her sink, her eyes lighting up.
“You have family to take care of you,” I say, “and you have food.”
“And I can use DoorDash,” she says, proud of her new skill.
“I know you can use DoorDash.” I laugh. “But I won’t be here to eat these, so …”
She reaches for the containers. “I’m not turning down homemade peppers.” She takes them from me. “You are such a sweet girl.”
The compliment catches me off guard after the conversation I just had with Mom.
“Where are you going?” she asks, putting the food in the fridge.
“Work trip to Silver Springs.”
“Ah, fun. I just met a woman, Gloria, at the retirement center. She’s been coming in the morning and walking with me. She got us a game of euchre tomorrow with a couple of other ladies. And she arranged for us to have a table that overlooks the pool.” She smirks. “We’re going to play cards and watch the pool for single men.”
I laugh. “Sounds like a good time.”
“She’s a riot. She’s on an arts committee dedicated to bringing art and music back to the schools. Did you know they took it out a few years ago?”
I shake my head.
“Well, apparently, they did, and Gloria isn’t having it. She’s organized a whole event around this—food, music, a silent auction. A bachelor auction.”
“What?” I ask, laughing again.
“I know. She’s a wild one.”
Honey pulls out a chair and sits, motioning for me to sit too.
“I really have to go,” I say. “My ride will be showing up any time.”
“Understood. Thank you for the peppers, sweetheart.”
“Of course.”
I turn to leave. As I face the door, a woman walks in. For a moment, she seems shocked to see me. But she quickly gathers herself.
“Hi,” she says, smiling brightly.
“Oh, Bee. You’re just in time.” Honey gets up and stands beside me. “Brooke, this is my neighbor, Pippa. Pippa, this is my granddaughter, Brooke.”
