Page 27 of More Than A Fixer-Upper
“I don’t understand why now. Is this about getting your dick wet?” Lacy snaps.
“If you think that’s what this is about, then you don’t know anything!” Hailey yells from the living room. “Get a clue.”
“Your daughter is rude,” Lacy says.
“Not my daughter but she’s right. Go see Dad. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.” I close the door in her face.
I pull out my phone.
ME: Lacy is in town.
RUTH: Is hell freezing over?
ME: I think so.
Hailey and Seth stay to watch a movie with me. No one talks about Lacy. My phone buzzes on the end table.
DREW: Is it cool to take tomorrow off?
ME: Sure. Enjoy the time with your friends.
DREW: Thanks.
I send another text.
ME: How are you doing?
ROSALIE: I’m okay. The boys are in the room playing a game. The trash talking is hilarious. Winnie’s lying next to me, showing different ideas for her bedroom. After she asked you tohelp her, she came to me about redoing her room. I couldn’t say no.
ME: I can help with anything she needs.
ROSALIE: I’m going to try going into my mom’s room tomorrow. I want to get to know her. I know Winnie wants that room.
ME: I didn’t know there was a mom’s room.
ROSALIE: My grandmother kept it the same after my mom left Durden Park.
ME: I’m finishing up a project tomorrow. I’ll be about twenty minutes away. If you need me, I’ll be there.
ROSALIE: Good night.
Seth and Hailey leave after the movie ends. I climb the stairs, lock up, strip down to my boxers, and crash. My last thought before sleep: I’m taking Rosalie on a date.
How the hell do I date at my age when I’ve never been on one before?
Chapter Twenty
Rosalie
Theboysarestillasleep at eleven. I think the laughter finally died down around four, after I threatened to toss their clothes in the deep freezer if they didn’t shut up. Their laughter after I closed the door was music to my ears.
Winnie’s been rearranging her closet and dressers all morning. I stand outside my mom’s room, hand on the knob, heart thudding. I take a deep breath and turn it with shaking fingers.
The scent of lemon cleaner hits me first. Then the pink everywhere. I guess I know her favorite color now. The walls are covered in posters with encouraging quotes. Trophies line every surface bowling, tennis, basketball. The mirror on the dresser is taped with photos. She’s smiling in most of them, surrounded by friends. Maxine’s in a lot. Maybe she can tell me who the others are. Maybe I could talk to them.
“You look a lot like your mom,” Winnie says from the doorway. Her voice is quiet. “I look like the sperm donor. Drew’s all you. I hate it.”
“I don’t see Randall when I look at you.”She blinks, surprised. I smile.“I see your great grandmother: his grandmother. That’s who you’re named after. Winifred made sure we had a home when you were born. She loved you and Drew before you ever took your first breath.”
