“Okay!” he yells, running to where JR is talking to his grandmother. “Catch, Dad, catch!”
Scout takes my arm. “Come on.”
We head into the house, and he goes straight to the back room. “They’re probably going to be the size of a tent.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” I wait in the hall, watching the door. “You think she’d mind if I took a shower?”
“I think she wants you to stay… Oh, hell no.”
“What?” I whisper, looking into the lavender room.
The windows have lavender chiffon curtains with dark purple butterflies that appear hand-painted.
“I did not need to know this about Gran.” He holds up an egg-shaped device, and my eyes go wide.
“Is that a…”
“We-vibe,” he reads, and my hands fly over my eyes.
“That’s none of our business! Focus, Scout!”
“Kinky grandma.” He quickly shoves the vibrator back in the drawer and lifts out a pair of white panties. “I don’t know, but I don’t think they’ll fit you.” He holds them up high between us. “They’re as big as my head.”
“I’ll make it work.” I snatch them from him and head into the bathroom. “Make an excuse for me.”
Stepping into the pink bathroom, I close the door and cringe when I see myself in the mirror. My hair is in desperate need of a wash. I’ve been in this same dress for three days, but at least we did all shower halfway through the drive.
Ten minutes later I’m clean, hair washed with honeysuckle shampoo, which actually smells amazing, and I’m quietly searching under the sink. I manage to find travel size deodorant, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, but there is not a safety pin in sight.
I do find a pair of scissors, which I use to cut the waist down from under my armpits, then I cut the sides apart. Stepping into the massive, white-cotton undies, I make two little snips on each side and tie small knots, top and bottom securely on my hips.
“Dang,” I whisper, turning side to side in the mirror. “That’s not half bad.”
While I wait for the world to begin again, maybe I can host a YouTube channel for wardrobe emergencies. Knotted panties could totally be a thing.
Giving my dress a sniff, I decide it’s not too bad to wear again, like I have a choice. All I have is this dress, my teddy coat, and my iPhone. It’s equipped with Apple pay at least—not that I have much money to spend.
Exiting the bathroom, I hear rattling coming from the kitchen. Following the sound, I find JR sitting at a small, yellow Formica table across from Jesse. They’re playing Uno while Scout stands beside Alice at the counter, slowly cutting thick slices of bread.
It’s such a homey scene. It makes me so happy. “I can help!”
When Alice sees me, she smiles big. “There you are! Were you able to find everything you needed?”
Scout grimaces. “How’d it turn out?”
I want to pinch him. “Good! All good! I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first. We were playing, and I suddenly realized how long it had been since I’d showered.”
“Nonsense!” Alice waves a hand at me and returns to the pot where she’s stirring what looks like Marinara sauce. “But you’re wearing the same dress. John, why don’t you get Hope’s suitcase out of the car?”
“Suitcase?” He looks up just as Jesse yells Uno.
“Oh,” I jump in. “I, um… I didn’t bring a suitcase.”
Alice draws back confused. “But you’ve been driving for three days! You didn’t bring a bag or anything?”
I’m panicking, looking from Scout to JR. “You’re not going to believe,” I exhale, putting a hand on my hip. “I didn’t realize we were taking such a long road trip. JR told me, but, you know…”
“Yeah, we, ah, got our wires crossed, Gran.” Scout jumps in as Jesse lays his last card down.
JR groans at his handful of cards, but his son laughs loudly.
“Sometimes I don’t listen.” I do my best to look contrite. “JR’s always saying I should listen better.”
JR hasn’t said a word. He’s leaning back in the chair studying me in a way that makes my stomach squeeze and tickle. We know I’m lying, and he’s not helping me at all.
“Well, don’t you worry. You’re here now.” Alice pats me on the arm. “I’ll ask Regina if her daughter has anything you can borrow.”
Regina? I look at JR. He’s shuffling the cards for Jesse’s demanded rematch.
“My friend Regina Winthrop owns a bed and breakfast in town.” Alice continues. “She said you could stay there as long as you need.”
“That’s so nice…” I start to ask more when she takes my arm.
“Now come sit and have your dinner. Boys, put away those cards.”
Scout carries a bowl of fettuccini pasta while Alice produces a platter of mouthwatering marinara with fresh boiled shrimp. It’s spicy and delicious, paired with the crispy, warm French bread and generous glasses of red wine. It’s the nicest meal I’ve had in a long time, months probably.
An hour later, we’re stuffed and Jesse is asleep with his head on his daddy’s shoulder. Scout’s turning back the bed in Alice’s guest room, and I look around, wondering where JR is going to stay.
“Regina said she left a few things for you to have if you want them. She said coffee is in the cabinet, but the fridge is empty. You’ll have the whole house to yourself.”
JR is still at the table holding a sleeping Jesse. His large hand is on his little boy’s back, and he hasn’t stopped hugging and petting him since we arrived. They’ve both been so attached, it almost hurts to watch, knowing how they were separated for so long and without any warning.
“Give him to me.” Alice reaches for her grandson, and the reluctance in JR’s eyes makes my chest ache.
He stands as she takes him. “What time does he leave for school in the morning?”
“Seven, but he’ll be home at three. You’ll see him every afternoon.”
He winces ever so slightly. I might not have seen it if I hadn’t been watching his face all evening. Alice steps into the hall, and I go to where he’s now standing. I want to slip my hand in his like I did in the tent, but I’m not sure he wants it.
“Are you okay?” My voice is quiet.
He looks at me for the first time since dinner, and when our eyes meet, he seems to relax. Still, something is troubling him.
“You two get going. Regina said there’s a bottle of wine in the refrigerator.” Alice gives me a wink, and my cheeks heat.
We’re both staying there? Alone? My bottom lip slips under my teeth.
JR goes to his son’s room, and I follow quietly, waiting at the door. The room is all little boy stuff, with Iron Man illustrations and football stickers on the walls. Jesse is the cutest thing sleeping all tucked under his Iron Man covers. It’s so clear how much he’s loved.
JR slides his hand over his sleeping son’s head, checking the blankets around him, making sure he’s completely comfortable.
Alice watches with a smile. “He’s good. Time for you to get some rest.”