Chapter 15 #2
“I wouldn’t dream of it. What did you say her name was, Magnolia? What’s her last name?”
“I’m not gonna tell you that, Mom. I’m not gonna let you go Facebook-stalk her.” I use that as an excuse not to tell her the truth. I don’t even think I know Magnolia’s last name.
“Well, when are you gonna tell him?” Mom asks.
“I just talked to Dr. Charles, and he said that we probably shouldn’t tell him yet. So, now I’m stuck with a fiancée, who’s not really my fiancée, and I have to pretend like we’ve been together for a while.”
“Why didn’t you tell him that Jane broke up with you?”
“That is the million-dollar question,” I say. “And I guess it comes down to my own pride, because I was so sure I was right. I didn’t want to admit that I’d made a mistake and that you and Grandpa were right about her character.”
When Grandpa found out that I had proposed, he asked me if I was completely sure.
I don’t know if it was the fact that I froze and hesitated for a few seconds or just the fact that he hadn’t met her yet that made him suspicious, but he asked me to tell her that I had been disinherited, that I would be looking for full-time work in a blue-collar job, and that we’d have to rent a small apartment in town.
I told him saying that wouldn’t change anything.
Grandpa seemed to think she’d leave me. Unfortunately, Grandpa was right. Mom was relieved when Jane left because she’d been worried about the same thing.
And now I’m left with the awkward feeling that I can’t read people—that I don’t know how to judge character anymore. And I don’t like that feeling. I’m at a loss.
“I was just embarrassed, I guess,” I admit to Mom.
“It’s not your fault that she was only in it for the money. I’m glad you didn’t end up marrying her though. I never liked her.”
“I should’ve listened to you and Grandpa. Maybe, someday, you guys can have a cup of coffee and bond over your dislike of my ex-fiancée.”
“Now, that’s a thought,” she says with a laugh. “Finally, some common ground. Tell him I’m glad he’s doing better. I love you. Good luck with everything, and make sure you bring Magnolia to meet me.”
“It’s not a real relationship, Mom. It’s just pretend,” I say, feeling rather exasperated.
“Of course it is. I didn’t mean it was actually real.”
“How do you already like Magnolia more than Jane?” I ask her.
“The fact that your grandfather thinks she’s good for you,” she says.
“I might disagree with that man on a lot of things, and I completely disagree with how he handled mine and your father’s marriage, but I’ve seen him work hard to change.
I’ve seen how much he loves you, so I know he only wants the best for you.
Therefore, if he met this girl and really likes her, then she must be something else.
Maybe you should think about making it something real. ”
“Mom, I think you need to get out of town. Go see some people.”
“I am perfectly happy here,” she says brightly.
Here happens to be a small town in eastern Oregon.
She lives on the ranch that she and my dad ran together.
Her whole family lives in town, and she has lots of nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews to spend time with.
She loves living in a small town, and honestly, I don’t think she’ll ever leave—because it feels like a piece of my dad is still there.
“I love you too, Mom. I’m hoping to come for a visit soon.”
“Don’t come alone!” she says in a singsong voice.
“I’m hanging up now, before you can say more embarrassing things.”
She hangs up first, and I pocket my phone.
She sounded good and feisty today. It’s been fifteen years since we lost my dad, and sometimes, we still have days that are hard to get through.
The back door opens, and a man walks in, carrying bags.
“Hey, Sid.”
“How is he today?” Sid asks as he sets the bags down on the counter.
Sid runs a meal delivery service that is a large step above the generic food services that show up in a box on your front porch. He adds personal touches, like all things cooked by himself, and he only serves a select few clients. Luckily, Grandpa is one of them.
“He’s doing a lot better today. Thanks for asking.”
Sid shrugs. “It’s purely selfish. He’s my favorite customer. I’d hate to lose him.”
I reach for one of the bags and pull it closer. “This smells good. What’s in it?”
“Seafood fettuccine. Seared scallops, halibut, and shrimp, tossed in Alfredo sauce.”
“It sounds amazing.”
While I’m busy sniffing the bag, Sid leaves just as quickly as he came. I take out the food and set it up for anyone to come eat. I steal a scallop that’s sitting on the very top of the pot, then head upstairs.
I find Dr. Charles and Mary in Grandpa’s room. Kevin and his whole family are gone already. Thank goodness. I didn’t want to deal with them again this afternoon.
“Sid brought dinner, and it’s downstairs, warm in the kitchen.”
Mary’s eyes light up at those words.
Both she and Dr. Charles head for the door.
“Bring me a big bowl of whatever it is!” Grandpa calls after them.
“Absolutely not. You have to get your strength back up without crashing your system on rich foods. You need basic, nutritious foods,” Dr. Charles barks.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Dr. Charles laughs but doesn’t relent. “You’re my miracle patient, so I’m not about to let you go because you couldn’t resist Sid’s cooking.”
I wait for him to close the door before I turn back to Grandpa. “How are you doing?”
“A lot better. I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved I am about Magnolia. The way you described her before…it made me nervous. I thought she was going to be a gold digger…but I’m very happy to be wrong.”
“She’s the complete opposite of a gold digger,” I blurt out, feeling the need to defend her even though she’s not here. “She lives with two roommates in a small apartment in town. Actually, I wish she were a little more of a gold digger. I don’t think that apartment is safe.”
“Move her in here, then. Plenty of room for her and her friends,” Grandpa says matter-of-factly.
“Ha. She’s pretty independent. I’d probably have to knock her out and drag her here.”
Grandpa smiles at that. “Well, you’d better figure out some way to take care of her and make sure she has everything she needs. She might be independent, but you’re her fiancé, so I hope you’re making life smooth for her—or else.”
“Or else what?” I ask with a laugh.
Grandpa scowls. “I’ll disown you and keep her. So, there.”
I throw back my head and laugh. That’s exactly the kind of outlandish thing he would actually do.
But what he says is true. I need to do something to help Magnolia.
I’ve been so selfish the last couple of days.
I haven’t even thought about what I’ve taken from her.
It was my fault that she lost her job. Now I’m the one who is taking up her time with this charade when she could be finding work somewhere.
Yeah, now that Grandpa is stable, it’s time to do something about the Magnolia situation.