Chapter 2 #2
I add a quick note to Mabel that we’re in the mother-in-law house across the gardens from the main house in case she hasn’t figured that out for herself, then ask Lav to go get the new guest a glass of water and some snacks from the kitchen.
She meows in agreement and dashes out of the bedroom.
Gonna have to check her pockets for secret treats for the cat later, but she’s dependable for being a helper, so I think she’ll be fine out of sight for a minute.
I pull the quilt off the fully made bed—didn’t have a lot of clues this place was occupied, given the pristine state of the bedroom—and I carry it into the bathroom, where I drape it across the whole tub, leaving only Cricket’s head showing.
I push her towel up and off her forehead, then grab the hand towel on the sink and wipe off the suds creeping toward her eyebrows. “Gonna get soap in your eyes.”
She blinks once, then twice, but it doesn’t clear the sheen in her eyes.
“I’m really fine,” she whispers. “I just need to rinse off.”
“Your head the only thing hurting?”
“I’m fine.”
The door slams, and Mabel’s voice carries through the small cottage, getting closer and closer. “Heath? Sorry. The Notorious P-I-P struck again last night, and I lost track of my days. I thought today was Thursday.”
The Notorious P-I-P.
Also known as Mabel’s great-aunt, Pip.
She’s eighty-five but doesn’t act a day over four. Technically, she owns the whole property. The winery part ceased operations when Pip’s husband died ten or twelve years ago, and Mabel manages house upkeep and the residents who come and go.
She’s roughly my age, and as usual, she’s dressed all in black with auburn hair down to her shoulders, cat-eye glasses over blue eyes, and her sharp cheekbones seeming even sharper.
Pip must’ve been in quite the mood.
No doubt the items Lav found under the bed are Pip’s.
She’s the only person who dates here.
“Hey, Lav. Good job getting snacks,” Mabel adds.
“Meow purrrr,” my daughter replies.
“You going to summer camp today?”
I pinch my eyes shut once more, causing a shooting pain in my right eye, as Lav meows in response.
Quick footsteps sound on the bedroom floor, and then Mabel’s in the doorway. “Oh, shit. Cricket?”
Cricket heaves the heaviest sigh I’ve ever heard. “Yeah.”
Mabel mouths a quick sorry to me, then joins me, squatting beside the tub on top of the shower curtain.
“I’m Mabel. I run this place. And I’m so sorry we got our wires crossed on your arrival.
Can I help you to the main house? You can finish your shower in my room.
No one goes in there. Ever. Not even Aunt Pip.
And we have cinnamon rolls and coffee this morning for breakfast if you’re hungry. ”
“You—you offered to pay for my gas and hotels on the road,” Cricket says.
Mabel flashes a rare smile. “Great-Aunt Pip’s useless ass of a dead husband pays for everything around here. I’m merely the distributor of funds.”
“I didn’t stay at hotels,” Cricket blurts. “I slept in my car so—never mind. I just—it was so nice of you to offer. And to let me stay here. While I—”
She pauses, her eyes starting to spill over as her voice wobbles.
Mabel touches her shoulder. “Here. Let me help you get something on so you can come join us in the main house.”
“She slipped and fell in the tub,” I mutter.
“No,” Mabel whispers.
It’s pretty obvious Cricket’s down, so I assume Mabel’s reaction has more to do with however Cricket went viral than it does with the fact that she slipped.
Cricket’s eyes gloss over with tears again. “I’m fine.”
The wobble in her voice says she’s not fine.
Mabel glances up at me. “You check her over?”
“Yeah.”
“Any concerns?”
“Not immediately. But keep an eye on her.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know when we’re out so you can get to the toilet.”
Mabel’s good.
If Cricket’s hurt, she’ll call me or take her to urgent care.
So I can go tend to my own wounds now.
Time to gather up my daughter.
And now I’m wincing as I turn my back to the women, giving Cricket more privacy. “Is there anyone at the house who likes kids right now?” I ask.
There’s a beat of silence.
Then—“Short-term or long-term?” Mabel asks.
“Lav and summer camp didn’t get along.”
“We’ll take her.”
“I’m working on finding something new—”
“Take your time. We’ve got her for as long as you need.”
Guilt socks me in the gut.
I pay rent and do repairs around here in exchange for occasional help with Lav, but what Mabel’s already done for our family is of a magnitude that I can’t repay.
And I don’t have any other readily available options.
“Appreciate it,” I say as I head out of the bathroom.
“You’re part of the family too.”
I know she means it.
And I still feel like the part of the family that doesn’t quite fit.
“Thank you,” Cricket says.
I glance back, thinking she’s talking to me, but her wet eyes are aimed squarely at Mabel.
“It gets easier,” Mabel tells her. “And we’re here for you for as long as you need to work through this.”
I don’t know if she’s talking to Cricket or to me.
But I know I still feel like I’ve taken more than I can ever give back.