Page 39 of Give In To Love
I turned toward TJ. “Your grandma is Mrs. McGee?”
He laughed, though he clearly didn’t understand the significance of my question. “Yeah. Addison McGee.”
“You never told me her name. You always call her Gram. And your name is Sullivan.”
“Well, no, I guess it never came up. And our last names are different because she’s my grandma on my mother’s side. McGee was Ma’s maiden name.”
I looked between Olivia and TJ, completely at a loss for words. TJ took my hand. “You okay, sunshine?”
“Your grandma was our landlady.”
“You said that before. Is it a problem?”
I huffed out a breath, still trying to sort through my thoughts. Olivia interjected, turning her attention toward TJ, giving me a moment to collect myself. “Hi. I’m Olivia Johnson. Your grandma helped me out of a tough spot many years ago. She’s an amazing lady.”
TJ dragged his eyes from me to Olivia, offering her a smile. “TJ,” he said, shaking her offered hand. “And I agree. She’s pretty special.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side, and I relaxed a bit, soothed by the feel of him. Olivia’s eyes flicked between the two of us, and she smiled. “So, Jimmy, how’s school? I heard you transferred down to Omaha?”
As small as Astaire was and as interconnected as it was with Brinkley, I shouldn’t have been surprised she knew I’d transferred. But somehow, I was always taken aback when anyone paid attention to the things I did. “Yeah. Um, I’m studying to be a teacher.”
“That’s great,” Mr. Johnson said, and how weird was it to be having a casual conversation with my former principal? “What subject?”
“English. I want to teach high school. Or maybe middle school.”
“We may have an opening in a couple of years. Mr. Thompson is getting closer to retirement.”
“Oh wow! That would be great. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“And what are you studying, TJ? I assume that’s how you two met?” Olivia asked.
“I’m a theater major, also getting my ed degree, though I really have ambitions of making it on Broadway.”
“Oh, I love the theater. I’d love to see you perform.”
“He’s playing Roger inRentnext month on campus.”
TJ looked at me in surprise. “What? I’m not allowed to show you off too?”
He grinned at me. “You are absolutely allowed,” he said, eyes dancing with delight, then turned back to the Johnsons, who were watching us in amusement. “It’s the third weekend in October. Tickets go on sale next week.”
“Tommy? Can you come over here and help me with something?” TJ’s mom called from the back porch. TJ excused himself, leaving me standing alone with the Johnsons.
“Honey, can you grab me a pop?” Olivia asked her husband, who nodded and stepped away in search of the requested beverage. And then it was just the two of us.
“Happiness looks good on you.”
“Thank you. I am happy, I think. Or at least, I’m trying to figure out how to be.”
“Good. You deserve good things, Jimmy.”
“Miss Olivia, so good to see you.” We turned as the lady of the day approached us.
“Addy. Happy Birthday.” They embraced warmly, and then Mrs. McGee turned toward me.
“And how about you? Are you enjoying my party?”
“Yes, of course.”
