Page 24 of New Day at the Beach House

Willie looked up to see Ethan standing beside Roxie. “Hello, there. I heard your mother is one of the actors?”

He nodded, looking somewhere in the middle of nervous and unsure. “She is. Not sure what to expect. I hope she does all right.”

“Should we get our seats?” Miguel asked. “Or see what the concession stand has to offer?”

“Concessions,” Willie said. She doubted they’d have alcohol, but if they did, maybe she’d get a little drink. Otherwise, she had the flask of rum in her fanny pack. Rum, she’d found, went better with Twizzlers than gin. “See you in there.”

She and Miguel walked over to the concession stand and got in line.

Miguel looked around. “There are more people here than I thought there’d be.”

“Same.” Willie had figured a play at the seniors center would be no big deal, but there was an impressive crowd, all things considered. “Would you ever live in a place like this?”

Miguel studied a few of the activities posters on the walls. “I would hope not. I’m sure some people would find it a good life, but I like being with my family. Why? Are you thinking about something you haven’t told me?”

She laughed. “No. Just curious. I like being with my family, too.”

“Have you given any more thought to what we talked about earlier?” He smiled. “My, uh, question?”

“You mean your proposal?”

He nodded.

“Oh, I’ve thought about it. But with Trina getting half the house, there’s really no need. Although it was the sweetest thing. It really was. To think you’d do that for me…” She put her hand on his arm. “You’re a real peach, Miguel.”

He put his hand on his heart. “I would not see anything bad happen to you, Willie.”

“And I appreciate that.”

They moved up in line to where they could see the menu.

“No alcohol,” Willie said. “As I suspected.”

“They probably don’t have a liquor license,” Miguel said. Then he leaned in. “But do not worry. I have a small bottle of rum with me. We will get cola and fix them ourselves.”

She giggled. “I have a flask of rum in my fanny pack.”

His grin went ear to ear. “You are my kind of woman, Willie.”

Trina caught up with them as they got to the front. “Will you get me a bottle of water?” She fished a few dollars from her purse.

“Put that away,” Willie said. “I’ll get your water. You want a snack, too?”

“No, the water is plenty. I was going to bring my Junior Mints, but I ate them already.”

Willie saw her granddaughter’s eyes linger on the Sour Patch Kids. “Then go in and find our seats so all we have to do is find you.”

“Okay, Mimi. Thanks.” Trina headed in.

“Such a good girl,” Willie said. When they reached the counter, she ordered two Cokes, a bottle of water, and a bag of Sour Patch kids. She insisted on paying when Miguel attempted to put money down. “You got the car. This is on me.”

Then they went inside the auditorium. Trina spotted them and waved, making it easy for them to locate their seats.

They settled in. Miguel, Willie, then Trina. Willie handed her the water and the candy. “Here you go.”

“Mimi, you didn’t have to get me these.”

“So you don’t want them?”

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