Page 4 of Brother in Law with Benefits

She heads for the door.

I should let her go. Should stay on this couch and not do anything stupid.

I stand up anyway.

"I'll walk you out."

Sophie pauses, hand on the doorknob. "You don't have to."

"I know."

Mom makes a small curious sound.

Sophie's car is parked behind my rental. Small blue Honda Civic with a crack in the windshield and a rattle in the engine that suggests it's overdue for attention. I make a note to offer to look at it, then make a note not to make that note. None of my business.

"I know you've been doing a lot for Mom," I say, not entirely sure where I'm going with this. "I'm not trying to push you out or step on what you've built. I just want to help carry some of it."

"I don't feel pushed out."

"Good. Because I figure we can coordinate. Share the load."

She looks up at me. The late afternoon sun catches her eyes, turns them more blue than grey. "I'm used to doing things alone."

There's a story in there. Something about Chris. Something about a mother in Arizona. Something about five years of being the one who shows up instead of the one who gets shown up for.

"You don't have to be. Not with this."

"Grant—" She stops and her shoulders rise and slump. "I'm not going to disappear because you're back. Patty matters to me."

"I know. I'm asking you to let me help. That's all."

"With your mom."

"Yes. With my mom."

"Right." She shifts her purse. "Okay. We can coordinate."

"Good."

We stand there. A UPS truck drives past. She says she should go. I tell her to sleep. She heads down the porch steps, then stops halfway to her car and turns back.

"Grant?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're here. Really. Patty needs you." A pause. "She missed you. Even if she won't say it."

"I missed her too."

Sophie nods, gets in her car. The engine starts with a rattle. I watch her drive away, then go back inside.

Mom's in her recliner, home improvement show playing, looking like she didn't just orchestrate an entire lunch to study us in close proximity.

"She's good people, Grant," she says without looking up from the TV. "Best thing that ever happened to this family, even if Chris couldn't see it."

"Ma—"

"I'm not starting anything. I'm stating a fact." She settles back into her cushions. "Sophie's been more family to me this past year than my own flesh and blood, some days. I'm grateful for her. And I'm grateful you're finally here."