Page 28 of The Man Next Door
“A writer.” Now Gilda sounded almost in awe.
“Could you maybe come over later this afternoon and meet us?” Zona asked.
There was a moment’s silence, but it was followed by a firm, “Give me your address.”
Oh, yes, it looked like Zona had found the perfect nurse for her mother.
Chapter7
“SO YOU FOUND SOMEBODY?” BREE ASKED.
“I’m hoping so. She’s coming over later to meet your grandma.”
“I think I’ll come back,” said Bree. “That way I can be sure you haven’t hired a serial killer to take care of Gram.”
Zona ignored the snark. “She’d probably be thrilled if I did,” she said, and Bree snickered.
They’d moved their conversation away from the ugly past. Good. Now, all Zona had to worry about was her mother.
LOUISE WAS AWAKEand back on the couch, Bree keeping her company when the potential caregiver arrived for her interview at four. Louise was not looking thrilled.
“I really think I could manage on my own while you’re at work,” she said right before Gilda arrived. Neither her daughter nor her granddaughter believed her. Zona didn’t think Louise even believed herself.
“Remember, it was your idea,” Zona reminded her.
“I was in the hospital, on drugs. I’ve changed my mind.”
The doorbell rang. “Too late. You may as well meet her.”
Gilda Radovich looked like a LEGO woman come to life. Her body was short and square and so was her face, and her straight, dark hair was cut in a no-nonsense chin-length bob. She had hefty arms and looked like she could wrestle an alligator to the ground. She would have no trouble getting Louise in andout of the shower. Or helping her up if—heaven forbid!—she fell.
“I’m Gilda,” she announced when Zona opened the door, Darling at her side, wagging a greeting. Gilda accompanied this with a smile that looked... Yes, even her squared-off lips made Zona think of LEGO. She was a walking social media filter.
“Thanks for coming,” Zona said. “We really could use some help.”
“Nobody calls me unless they do,” Gilda said as she stepped inside.
The minute she did, Darling, the welcoming committee, felt it important to jump on her and give her some doggy love.
“Down, dog,” Gilda commanded, trying to block Darling with a raised knee.
Gilda’s knee couldn’t reach high enough and Darling didn’t discourage easily. He barked and tried again, determined to brace his paws on her chest.
“Down!” Gilda cried. “This dog is going to knock me over.”
Zona doubted that. It would be easier to knock over a truck. “Bree, can you take Darling away,” she called.
“He’s high-spirited,” Louise said from the couch as Bree came over to grab the dog’s collar.
“Don’t put him outside,” Zona was quick to say as Bree led him away.
“I’ll put him in Gram’s room,” Bree said, and hurried Darling off.
“Sorry about that,” Zona said to Gilda as she led the woman into the living room.
“Dogs and children, they all love me,” Gilda said with a shake of the head as Darling’s whines followed them. “I don’t know why.”
“Do you have a dog?” asked Louise.
