Page 27 of The Man Next Door
“Not all men are like Dad and Gary. You know that.” Didn’t she?
“Yeah, but you can’t tell the difference because they all walk around with masks.”
“Even Fen and his family?”
“They’re okay, but people change. Men change. Anyway, we’re fine just hanging out.”
“There might come a time when you want to do more than hang out,” Zona suggested.
“No way. Marriage is a trap designed by men.”
Zona sighed inwardly. It was hard to see her daughter so cynical at such a young age. “Your grandpa was a good man.”
“He never let Gram have a dog.”
That was all Bree remembered of her grandpa? Really? How about when they’d made birdhouses together when she was a kid? Or the times he’d taken them all out for burgers and shakes at The Habit?
“Gram wasn’t ready for another dog after losing Buster,” Zona explained.
“Until after Grandpa died.” Bree held up a hand before Zona could say anything. “I know. He was a nice man.”
“And he left your grandma well taken care of financially, which ought to prove to you that not all men leave their families messed up.”
“There’s more than one way to mess up a family,” said Bree.
Husband fail number one. “I know your dad hasn’t always been the best.”
That provoked a disgusted snort.
Luke had gotten busy with his hot young girlfriend and, other than a few random outings, had ignored his daughter, leaving Zona to have full custody. He’d paid child support, mostly on time, but other than that and giving her presents on birthdays and at Christmas, he’d opted out of being part of Bree’s young life. He’d tried to make up for it later, when she was a teenager, but by then she’d built a wall between them he couldn’t scale, no matter how many times he’d offered to take her to Disneyland... with his second family.
Bree shook her head. “If Dad comes through with any money for nursing school, I’ll keel over from shock.”
“He will,” said Zona. They both knew it would be a pittance though.
“You sure can pick ’em, Mom.”
The words stung and it was a welcome relief when Zona’s phone rang. Caller ID showed it to be Gilda Radovich. “It’s the nurse I called for your grandma,” Zona said, and took the call.
“This is Gilda Radovich, calling you back,” said the woman.
“I’m really glad to hear from you and I’m hoping you can help me,” Zona said.
“What do you need?” asked Gilda, making no promises.
“My mother broke her leg and is in a cast and I need someone to hang out with her during the day when I’m at work.”
“No housecleaning,” Gilda said firmly.
“No, just helping with bathroom duties and making lunch. Mom’s pretty easy, and she’s very nice.” When she wasn’t feeling grumpy. “We really could use some help,” Zona added.
“I’m not doing much home care these days. I’m semi-retired,” said Gilda. “It has to be a special case.”
But she had called. “This is pretty light duty,” Zona pushed. “Mostly hanging out watching true crime shows. Maybe playing some cards.”
“True crime shows? Does she watchDeathline?”
Well, well. A kindred soul for Louise. “Mom would like to be a mystery writer. She says that show is good research.”
