Chapter 37
Elle
It’s a lazy Thursday evening, Archer is out with the guys and I’m enjoying the alone time with Fish.
I have a sheet mask on, my hair is in heatless curls, and I’m letting my toenails dry from an impromptu pedicure.
Fish is curled up on the couch next to me.
My pumpkin candle is burning as the city lights twinkle in the distance through the floor to ceiling windows.
I’m watching a Netflix movie that my students are constantly singing, I figured I would see what all the hype is about.
I have to say. It is really good. The songs are amazing and it makes me want to start listening to more K-Pop.
I’m enjoying my evening when my phone begins to ring, I inwardly cringe. I would rather walk on hot coals than admit I accidentally left my phone on ring. I pick it up and realize why it’s ringing. My grandma wants to facetime.
I eagerly pick it up. My grandma is one of my favorite people.
She lives in assisted living after she took one too many falls.
She refused to move in with any of her children because she didn’t want to be a ‘burden’.
I know I just saw her at the gender reveal but like I said she’s one of my favorite people and she doesn’t normally FaceTime so this is a rare treat.
“Hi Gramma!”
“Sweetheart! Hi!” She beams; she looks great. Her white-blonde hair is stylishly cut into a bob, her glasses are perched on her nose. She’s in her favorite cable knit sweater and it looks like she’s relaxing outside, maybe in the community garden?
“What do I owe this pleasure?” I ask.
“Why I just want to check on you. Your mother said you and your siblings all got a nasty stomach bug from the party.”
I wince. I just hope the casualties were limited to us and not any of the fifty odd guests there were invited.
“I’m feeling much better, Archer nursed me back to health.”
“He’s such a good boy.” She pauses for a brief second before inquiring. “Is he there dear?”
I narrow my eyes at her through my phone screen. “Did you call to check on me, or to talk to Archer?”
“Well, I may have let it slip that you were dating Archer and then Vivienne from next door didn’t believe me so I told her I would call you up and prove that I am not the dirty liar that she keeps claiming me to be.”
“Is this the same Vivienne who claims you bribed the judges at last year’s baking contest when you won with your chocolate satin pie?”
“The very one in the same.” I hear Vivienne protest in the background. Sorry Vivienne, my loyalty lies with my grams.
“He’s not home right now, he’s out with his teammates doing team bonding. Which I think consists of pottery painting at Vi’s studio.”
Grandma beams at that. She loves Violet. “I’ll text him and see what time he is coming home.” I text Archer while keeping my grandma on the phone. “Maybe we could schedule a chat some time to help you clear your name.”
Elle: What time do you think you’ll be home?
Man Giant: We just finished glazing our pieces so Vi is going to fire them. What’s up?
Elle: Grandma is in a feud. She needs you to prove that she’s not a liar.
Man Giant: I will be home in fifteen minutes.
While we wait, Grandma fills our time by chatting about her week thus far, and all the dating drama that is going on in the facility, I peel off my face mask and make myself a cup of hot cider.
“Barb is dating Janet’s Ex, Alejandro. And Janet is now claiming that Scarlett is sleeping with Greg who is Barb’s brother.”
I nod along trying to keep everyone straight while grandma explains this whole dating debacle.
I sip my cider carefully not to burn my tongue when I hear the door open and Archer throw his keys on the table next to the door.
I hear his shoes hit the floor and his jacket unzip.
Before I can turn around, he’s hurtling himself over the couch and plopping down next to me.
I see my grandmother trying to inconspicuously wave over all her friends from the facility. “Hi Mary!” Archer smiles.
“Archer! My sweet! How are you? How was team bonding? What did you make?”
While Archer fills in all the details of his pottery class with the boys as Grandma’s entire screen is filled with her inner circle and her frenemy Vivienne.
From the scowl on Vivienne’s face, I think this is worse than losing to Grandma’s famous satin pie.
Archer spends the half hour talking to everyone and answering all the questions that are directed at him. When we finally get off the phone Archer has a big smile on his face. “Think that will get Vivienne off Gramma’s back?”
I smile and nod. “You’re her knight in shining armor now.”
He grins and plants a kiss on my cheek.