Coffee Cup Confessions - Trish Williford Page 0,10
I bought on my own, and she’s treated me well. She’s like a loved one, Misha. Would you trade your grandmother in because she was old?”
“This is a vehicle, Drew. It’s older than we are,” I argue.
“There’s nothing wrong with my girl, so she’s staying until she dies and there is no chance of revival.”
“Does she have a DNR?” I mumble under my breath.
He lovingly rubs the dashboard. “She doesn’t mean it, baby.”
We are the last of the group to arrive at my parents’ house.
Sunday dinner has been a tradition for my family for as long as I can remember. My mom makes some type of homestyle meal for the entire family to enjoy together. Even after each of us kids moved out, one by one, she’s continued the tradition, and we show up here at two on Sunday afternoon. She’s always included Drew as well. He’s like the fourth Gallagher child; he’s been around for so long.
While we’re all gathered around the table, eating the ham dinner Mom made, Mandy decides to bring up Valentine’s Day.
“So, how did your date go the other night?” Mandy asks from across the table.
I raise my brows and glare at her. “You mean, with your good friend Matt?”
“Ooh, this sounds like it’s going to be good.” Bentley, my older brother, leans forward and rests his elbows on the table, glancing between Mandy and me.
“What did he do? Was he an ass?” Mandy sighs.
“You can say that. He never showed.”
There is a collective gasp from the entire table, and Mandy’s mouth drops open. “No. You’re kidding me.”
“Nope.” I pop the P.
“Why didn’t you call me? I would have called and bitched him out.”
“It’s because she was busy hitting on the hot coffee shop guy,” Drew interjects.
Mandy’s eyebrows hit her hairline. “Oh?”
My best friend is the recipient of a smack to the arm.
“We just talked.”
“And you all are going on a date next weekend,” Drew sings.
“Huh … sounds like I should thank Matt for not showing,” Mandy suggests.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Mom interjects.
“Yeah, but your friend is still an ass for standing Misha up,” Bentley points out. “Why were you trying to set Misha up anyway?”
Bentley is the oldest of the Gallagher siblings. He’s five years older than me, but I’ve always been closest to him. He protects me fiercely, especially from Mandy when she decided to go Mean Girl during high school. Growing up, Mandy and Bentley were like oil and water, and since we’ve become adults, it hasn’t gotten any better.
Mandy scowls at Bentley like he’s being unreasonable. “Because she can’t expect to meet guys if she stays home all the time.”
“I spend so much time at home anyway since I bake for a living and I work from home,” I point out.
“Mandy, why are you so concerned? It’s not like you’ve cared about her dating status before, so why now?” Drew asks.
“Mind your business, Drew. Look, I was trying to do something nice for my little sister, and now, I’m getting the third degree by everyone.”
“As long as she doesn’t get involved with guys like Mandy chooses, I don’t care.” Dad doesn’t say much when it comes to our dating lives, so when he speaks up, we definitely listen.
“Wow … so much for caring. Thanks, everyone.” Mandy stands and takes her plate to the kitchen.
“And there’s her usual dramatic departure. It wouldn’t be a Sunday dinner without it,” Bentley says with a roll of his eyes.
Mom presses her fingers into her temples. “Bentley, you know the way she is.”
“And that makes it appropriate for her to act like this?” he challenges. “She’s thirty years old, Mom. She needs to grow up.”
“Bent …” Ally puts her hand on his arm, and his eyes soften with one look at his wife.
He bends over and kisses her on top of her head. “Sorry, Mom. I’ll talk to Mandy.”
Once Bentley has left the dining room, Mom reaches over and grasps Ally’s hand. “Thank you.”
Ally has been the best thing to happen to Bentley. He used to be quite the hothead, as a teenager and into his early twenties. Mom and Dad were terrified that Bentley’s temper would get him hurt or even in jail, but since he met Ally almost ten years ago, he’s been a completely different person.
Mom turns her attention to Dad and scowls. “Would it hurt you to not bring up her poor choices in men at every opportunity?”
Dad puts the last piece of ham in his mouth and shrugs. “Emma, she