Page 80 of Nothing But It All
“He knows how to tell time and direction in the woods,” she says. “He’s great at math. He can do sales tax in his head.”
“Oh. He’s basically a genius,” I say.
She sighs dramatically. “And he knows just about every country in the world and where it’s located.”
Okay, that’s slightly impressive.
“He’s probably yanking your chain,” Dad says.
“He is not.He plays this video game about conquering the world or something, and you must know geography to win.” She shrugs haughtily. “I bet neither of you can do that.”
I look at Dad and grin. “Think he can swap an engine in a car?”
“Think he can fillet a fish?”
“Bet he can’t drive a stick.”
“Wonder if he can piss standing up.”
“Pops!” Maddie says. “I can never bring Daniel around the two of you. God knows what you’d say.”
I chuckle, earning a grin from Dad.
“Maddie Moo, I can assure you that if you ever bring Daniel around me, I’ll be the same man then that I am now.”
She groans. “Oh, that’s comforting.”
“I hear that sarcasm,” Dad says, shaking his walking stick at her. “But believe me, boys will just break your heart. You’re better off without them.”
“You didn’t break Grandma’s heart.”
“Grandma’s not here to defend herself. So, we’re better off not making assumptions when it comes to her,” Dad says.
I furrow my brow, but he ignores my unspoken question.
“So, you did break her heart?” Maddie asks the question I wanted to but didn’t.
Dad sighs. “I didn’t break her heart. But I could’ve done better by her. It’s a bunch of shit that you don’t learn some lessons until it’s too damn late.”
I keep my gaze focused ahead of us and not on my father.
“Well, I can’t wait to prove you wrong about Daniel,” Maddie says. “I’m gonna make you eat your shoe at our wedding.”
“I won’t be at your wedding. I’ll be dead.”
“Pops! Stop it.” Maddie grabs his arm and rests her head on his shoulder. “Be nice.”
“I am being nice, sweetheart. But there’s no sense in lying to you.”
Dad’s face is blank, as if he’s talking about the trees and not his ultimate death. He’s a cranky old man most of the time. Lauren says it’s part of his charm. But it’s not just crankiness today; there’s an element of acceptance. Like he’s not only trying to get a rise out of his granddaughter but also trying to tell her something.
I shift my weight, giving my father a quick once-over. He has good color in his cheeks, and he’s getting around about the same as always. But there’s something off about him. I noticed it last night.
He scoffs. “I’m just tired, Jack. I’m an old man. Get out of here and let me sleep, and maybe I won’t be so aggravating tomorrow.”
“What are we doing with all of these blackberries?” I ask.
Dad hums. “Well, I guess we’ll give them to Mrs. Shaw and see if she can make us a cobbler.”
