Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The next morning, I awoke too early to footsteps above me and to shuffles outside my bedroom door. I tried to ignore the sounds, at least for another half hour of sleep, but that didn’t happen. With a silent grumble, I put on my robe and headed to the bathroom.
Eventually, I found Rita in the kitchen trying to make sense of my coffee maker. “Do you need help?” I asked.
“This thing is being stubborn,” she groused.
I showed her how it worked in case she wanted to make a pot when I wasn’t available, then I suggested she get dressed while she waited for it to brew. Pulling open the door into Brad’s shop, I said, “I expect my parents will be down soon.”
Rita chuckled. “They make a lot of noise up there, so you need to add some carpet. I can’t imagine how it was when you had three young men living upstairs.”
“Unbelievably noisy, but I won’t have to worry about it for much longer.”
“If you have renters, you will,” she said. “You need to deal with it before they arrive.”
Her comment made me understand why she hadn’t wanted to replace carpet with laminate in her upstairs apartment. Rugs definitely muffled noisy footsteps from above.
When she went off to take a shower, I brought out the bacon and separated each strip into a pan. I decided to cook the whole pound, knowing we’d all savor it even as leftovers. The sizzling aromas must have lured my parents because they soon announced their arrival.
“It smells good in here,” Dad said. “Any coffee?”
“It’s ready and mugs are on the counter.”
Mom looked particularly nice in slacks and a three-quarter sleeved top. “We didn’t want to disturb you and Rita.”
“You didn’t, and she’s taking her shower.”
She poured coffee for her and Dad. “What’s on our agenda for today?”
“Bacon, eggs, and toast for breakfast, then we play it by ear. I didn’t invite Brad, but I can text him to come.”
Dad paused from stirring milk into his coffee. “Why didn’t you invite him?”
“It’s a Saturday, so he can sleep later, and he doesn’t want to interfere with our family time.”
“For heaven’s sake,” Mom replied. “He’s part of our family now. Tell him I’m waiting for his arrival.”
I smiled, texting him her message. He replied immediately with a thumbs-up emoji. “He’ll be here shortly,” I noted, placing bread in the toaster.
“What can I do?” Mom asked.
“Set the table, please.” I showed her the cabinet with the dishes. “You might also want to check on Rita. She likes that.”
“You said she was already awake and taking her shower.”
“I know, but she likes being checked on.”
Rita was fine, and I took my turn in the shower. Brad came and kept everyone company until I’d dressed, fried the eggs, then served our meal. To my amazement, everything came together and we had a delightful breakfast. So far, so good.
Before disbursing, Brad invited my father to a meeting with Jerry Caldwell and his dad regarding the installation of outdoor steps for the upstairs renovation. That earned an extra star for my future husband.
He also mentioned that his sister wanted us all to come for poker night that evening—a tradition in their family that involved pizza and fun times. I suggested that we do so because, frankly, my apartment didn’t hold very many people comfortably.
Rita didn’t look very enthused, probably because she didn’t like to stay up late, but we compromised with my promise to tell Angela we preferred an early night. I planned to call her anyway.
“What will you ladies do today?” Dad asked.
“Reception seating,” my mother replied with an eye roll.
He laughed. “Better you than me.” Brad verbally agreed and gave me a solicitous smile. I totally appreciated his support, yet silently hoped Rita and I could keep Mom calm.
We didn’t meet up with the men until we arrived for poker night.
Brad drove my father in his pickup truck, while I shuttled the ladies in my car.
I knew my way without the GPS and could share stories during the drive about the fun times with Angela and her husband, Mike.
“We rarely see their two teenage sons,” I noted, “other than when they come for their slices of pizza.”
Rita chuckled. “My grandson was like that, too.”
Angela met us at the back door. “The guys are in the living room watching a football game on TV, and Alicia’s in the basement playing video games with our boys. We’ll see them when the food arrives, so tell me about your day.”
“Really good,” I said. “We went over to the reception hall, which helped us configure the tables, then met with the caterer.”
My mother looked so relieved. “They showed us pictures of other receptions held there, and you’d never know it was just a fire hall. And the caterer they recommended is superb.”
“Did you sample the selections?” Angela asked.
Rita grinned. “Best lunch I’ve had in a while.”
“That’s wonderful!” Angela exclaimed while placing bottles of beer and soda from the refrigerator on the kitchen island. “The guys already have their beverages, so we might as well take ours to the kitchen table while we wait for the pizza delivery.”
I chuckled as I took a seat. “This is comfy. You should have seen us squeeze around my table last night. It was pretty tight.”
“That’s what I figured,” Angela replied. “The apartment was only meant for my grandmother, who had dementia, and Bertha, her caretaker. Eventually, just Bertha lived there.”
“I’m staying in the den,” Rita noted, “which is where Jodie has her television. There’s really no place for her parents to watch TV, and that doesn’t seem fair.”
“You could invite them to relax in the den when you’re not sleeping,” Angela suggested. “Of course, you’re always welcome to stay with us for a few days.”
My mother interrupted. “We’re fine, Rita. We don’t watch much TV during the day and we’re enjoying everyone’s company.”
Our conversation made me realize that I hadn’t sufficiently planned for my guests or what would entertain them for an entire week before my wedding. Where could I put Heather and Wyatt if they decided to come ahead of time?
Angela intervened. “Alicia talked to her mother today and it seems that she and Wyatt will be participating in your wedding after all. My boys offered to give up their bedroom for a few days, if that will help.”
I took a deep breath. “Where will they sleep?”
She laughed. “They’d camp in the basement whenever we’d let them. Video games and movies, baby!”
“Would Alicia have a meltdown if her mother’s boyfriend stayed here?” I asked.
“We’ve talked a lot about her issues during our trail rides,” Angela replied. “She’s only been here for one day, but I’m seeing a change in her attitude.”
I nodded, hoping for Alicia’s acceptance of her mother. “I’d planned to call Heather earlier, but the caterer took longer than I expected. As far as arrangements go, that’s very generous of you and Mike to let them stay here. Brad also has room in his house, if need be.”
Mom looked at me strangely. “Why do you always refer to it as ‘his house?’”
“Because I don’t live there yet,” I said simply.
“Do you not feel comfortable there?” she pressed.
I paused, not wanting to answer. Rita took the opportunity to say, “Give her time. I never felt at home when I stayed with my lovers because I needed my own place.”
My mother choked as she swallowed a sip of her beer. After a moment, she said, “I suppose that’s possible.”
“Thank you, Rita,” I remarked, blushing. “If Heather would like to stay here with Wyatt, it’s fine with me. If not, Brad will set up a bedroom for them. Would you like me to call her?”
“You should, honey,” Mom said.
Angela shook her head. “Let’s let Alicia decide. I’d like to see them mend whatever has caused their rift.”
Rita sighed. “My grandson is the cause.”
“It goes beyond him,” Angela said firmly. “I think my horse, Ranger, will help Alicia figure that out.”
With that, the pizza arrived, the young folks scrambled up from the basement to fill their plates, and the guys joined them at the football game’s half time. We all chatted, laughed, and ate our fill, including my parents. They were having a fabulous time.
Brad squeezed next to my chair at the table for a little while until the football game continued. Our knees touched, sending me electric waves, and I leaned into him, wishing everyone would go away so we could spend time alone.
That thought lasted only a moment because I realized our family and friends could bring us the support we’d need for the future. Our wedding day wouldn’t be as special without them, and that belief made me grateful for everyone’s presence.