Page 80 of The One Timer

“I’ll call her and invite her to dinner. We’ll go from there.”

Gran nods. “Now after all this excitement, I need a nap before the nurse gets here and starts prodding me.”

In between taking calls from teammates and family about Gran, and eating a shit ton of food, I make about a dozen calls to Em. Dinner’s at seven p.m., a half hour away and I’m done trying to call.

I get in my car and drive over to her house she must be home by now and we need to talk—or I need to talk to her, to lay my eyes on her.

When I arrive her aunt grudging tells me she’s not there and that thanks to me Emery is moving out.

“Where is she now?”

“She’s at her friend Merry’s house and I’m not happy about it. What did you do to her?”

“Nothing, I swear. She has it in her head that she needs to be independent.”

Aunt Bea scoffs and waves a hand. “Yeah right. Now she wants to pretend like she doesn’t have a family? Doesn’t need anyone? Go talk some sense into her please.” She rattles off Merry’s address. “And don’t blow it.”

“I won’t.”

“She’s a foolish girl if she lets you get away.”

“I think you’re right—probably for different reasons.”

She folds her arms. “I know what you think, that it’s all about the money, but you’d be wrong. Sure, money is important. I struggle with it, but I’m very well aware you can’t live on bread alone as the saying goes. I know love is important—maybe more important. I’m not convinced about that. But Emery is a hard worker and she’s healthy and smart and she’ll do okay for herself. She doesn’t need your money.”

“You’re right. So what makes you think she needs me?” I know the answer, but I’m wondering what Aunt B thinks and whether maybe I’ve misjudged her.

“She needs you because she’s head over heels in love with you. I don’t know if she’s admitted it, but it’s plainer than the tits on Dolly Parton.”

My laugh is automatic and I nod. “I hope you’re right. And no, she hasn’t admitted it.”

She looks me up and down assessing me like she has every right to judge and maybe she does because she’s Em’s family.

“You’ll convince her. Like I said, she’s smart and in the end, she’ll get over whatever she needs to get over. You make sure of it.”

“I will.” I turn to leave and almost trip on a rip in the carpet. Shit. I turn back. “One more thing, I know she’s been helping you pay rent and that when she moves out it’ll be a hardship, and the last thing I want to do is create a hardship for Em’s family. So I’ll take care of your rent.”

“What makes you think I’ll let you?” Her spine straightens and there’s real indignance in her voice.

“Because family is family. We help each other out. The way you did when you took Em in when you couldn’t afford to and you had no room for her.” I take in the cramped surroundings, the worn furniture and the spotless kitchen. “You made the best of it, did the best you could with the cards you were dealt.”

Her chin wobbles, but she keeps it raised, keeps her hands on her hips. “We’ll see.”

I nod and leave, glad I had the heart-to-heart with Aunt B and more sure of what I’m doing than I was when I left Gran’s house.

When I get to Merry’s apartment there’s no doorman or security buzzer, so I knock on the door. Merry lets me in wearing a big grin. Emery pops up from the couch, dropping a spoon and carton of ice cream to the floor.

I stalk over to her.

Merry squeals. “I’ll be… in the bathroom.” And she scurries into the room and shuts the door behind her, leaving me to confront Emery.

“What are you doing here? Is Gran alright?”

“She’s fine. We have to talk.”

“Says who?”

I laugh because I love her sass.