23. Leo
Chapter Twenty-Three
LEO
“Grammy says you’re bringing a friend to dinner.”
I looked over at Dora. “I am. Is that okay?”
My mom was so happy I was dating someone that she’d asked all around town about Casey. She’d concluded from her “reliable sources” that Casey was a good person and we should get married.
Dora blinked with her nod. “Yes. Is she your girlfriend?”
“She is,” I said slowly.
“How come I haven’t met her yet?”
God help me. I’d quickly learned the questions from children were relentless.
“Well, you’re my priority, Dora. I wanted to wait until it felt like a good time for you to meet her.” I was winging it here, but I figured the truth was my only safe option.
“Well, I think you should get married.”
“What?” I sputtered. “You do?”
Dora nodded solemnly as she reached for her bucket purse. “Then, I can have a mommy again.”
And now, I was floundering. I never quite knew how to talk about Dora’s mom with her. I cleared my throat. “You had a mommy, she’s just not here anymore.”
“I know. She died.” My daughter’s matter-of-fact tone twisted my heart. “I’ll always miss her, but I would like a mommy here.”
My throat started to feel tight. She looked so earnest. “I understand that. I don’t know if that will happen, but you have me, and Gramps and Grammy.”