Worms! Blech!
As she studied herself in her bedroom mirror while prepping for their date tonight, Mallory couldn’t help but marvel at the changes she saw in herself. Well, the ones on top of what she’d done to her appearance before arriving for Pops’ birthday.
She had a tan. An actual tan! Normally she didn’t stay outside long enough to let that happen. Twisting to check out the way her new dress fit, she marveled at her new wardrobe as well. Gone were the cutoffs and t-shirts and in their place were more feminine choices. Choices Jake seemed to really approve of too.
She blushed furiously at the thought of how many of her new garments ended up on the floor of the boathouse.
Right now, she felt sexy.
She felt confident.
She felt beautiful.
And as she twirled in front of her mirror, she felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
“Now there’s a sight for sore eyes.”
Gasping, Mallory stopped and stared as Pops stood in her doorway. He normally didn’t come up to the second floor so his appearance definitely made her jump. Smoothing a hand down the front of her dress, she smiled at him. “What brings you all the way up here?” she asked lightly.
He shrugged. “Wanted to make sure all the repairs were done to my liking.”
Part of her didn’t doubt his explanation one bit, but the work on the bathroom had been done for more than a week. “Oh come on,” she gently chided. “You know the work came out perfect and you’ve inspected it several times. Try again.”
His cheeks turned a little red – as did the tips of his ears – and she found it very endearing. “Well, I was coming up to see if maybe you wanted to have dinner with me tonight.”
And with that one simple request, her heart squeezed. For as much time as she had been here with him, they really hadn’t spent a whole lot of time together and now she felt extremely guilty for it.
“Oh…um…”
He smiled. “I’m sure you have plans with Jake already, but I just thought maybe the two of us could have an early dinner. Something light.”
How could she deny him?
“I’d like that very much,” she replied softly. “I’ll text him and tell him we’ll meet up a little later on.”
His eyes went a little wide – as if he didn’t expect her to agree. “Really? You don’t mind?”
Rather than answer right away, Mallory walked over and hugged him. “Of course I don’t mind.” Pulling back, she studied him. “If you asked me to cancel my plans tonight, I would. We don’t have to eat early if you don’t want to.”
The look of pure gratitude on his face spoke volumes. Taking one of her hands in his, he gently squeezed it. “You know me, sweet pea. Early dinner, early to bed. No need for you to cancel all your plans. But I do appreciate you being willing to indulge me over dinner.”
Together they walked down to the kitchen and Mallory quickly tapped out a text and sent it to Jake.
“Gertie made some fried chicken, field peas, and mashed potatoes,” he announced as he made his way over to the stove. “All my favorites.” Grinning at her over his shoulder he added, “And I asked her to make a salad because I know you won’t eat the peas.”
Unable to help herself, Mallory laughed. “I’m not even going to try to deny it.” Then she looked around. “Any chance she made some of her famous cornbread?”
So much for eating light!
Pops laughed out loud. “That’s my girl!” He pointed to the covered pan on the kitchen table. “As if we’d have fried chicken without it!”
Within minutes they were sitting at the old, scarred farm table that had been there ever since Mallory could remember. She often thought about all of the family members who shared meals here – the conversations that were had, the hopes and dreams discussed, the laughter, the tears…
“How’s the garden coming along?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts.
This week, Mallory had decided to tackle the gardens closest to the pier – the ones where she and Pops talked not too long ago. “I feel like I’ve been pulling weeds forever,” she said with a laugh. “But I’m finally seeing progress and I think by this time next week I should be ready for some fresh mulch. I wish Sam were here. He’s a whiz with the yard work. He’d probably have it all done by now.”
With a nod, Pops picked up a chicken leg. “That he would. Your brother’s the only one in the family with a green thumb like mine. I, just wish I could get him to sit still long enough to take it seriously.”
“He takes care of the yard back home for mom…”
“And he should!” He paused to take a bite of the crispy chicken. “Gertie’s chicken…there ain’t nothing in the world like it.”
Mallory took her own bite and had to agree.
“When you kids were little and would come visit, I remember Sam working in the yard beside me for hours. None of your cousins ever showed any interest in helping with the manual labor.” He shook his head with disgust. “You ask me, your aunt and uncle made Mason into some sort of weakling!”
“Pops…”
“It’s true! That boy’s afraid to get his hands dirty! Thinks it’s beneath him!” He shook his head again. “Now I know not everyone’s cut out to work with their hands, but that boy’s never even tried. His parents never made him! His sisters are more physically coordinated than he is.”
At his comment, Mallory almost choked on her dinner. Nothing Pops was saying wasn’t true. It was just interesting to hear him be the one to say it. It tended to be something she thought only herself and Sam had noticed. But then again, not much got by Pops.
“You know, you’ve had your eye on Jake for a long time,” he said, completely changing the subject and this time she did choke. Pops patted her on the back until she calmed down. The look he gave her told her he knew exactly what he was doing. “I never said anything and it wasn’t my place to get involved.”
This time she waited before taking another bite of food.
Pops took another sip of his sweet tea before saying anything. Placing his glass back down on the table, he looked at her – his expression stern. “Does he treat you right?”
Afraid to speak, Mallory simply nodded.
“Does he make you happy?”
Another nod.
His eyes never left hers and she felt as if he could see clear through to her soul right there. “Is this serious?” And before she could nod, he snapped, “And I want words, Mallory. You need to use your words. You don’t have anything to fear from me.”
Swallowing hard, she placed her fork down on the table, clasped her hands in her lap. “To me, it’s serious.”
“And to Jake?”
“I can’t answer for him.” Her heart beat like mad in her chest as she said the words and wished more than anything that she could – that she knew with great certainty exactly what she meant to him.
“You know he’s finally going to college, right?” Pops asked, his voice firm and a little intimidating – a complete contrast to their conversation of moments ago. “He deserves this, Mallory. He’s worked hard and all he’s wanted was the freedom to go away to school.”