a problem.”
“Oh yeah?” Ben said.
I waved my finger at him to not take the bait from Grandma Joyce, but he ignored me.
“Tell us what’s going on, Joyce. How can we be of assistance?”
“Well, there’s a certain female member of my family whose name rhymes with story and her love life is really gory.”
I shook my head. “Another person who likes to rhyme.”
“Anyway, she doesn’t know how to pick men well.”
“I give you permission to hang up on my grandma.”
“Tell me more about this person, Joyce.” Ben ignored me and grinned. “She sounds familiar. Is she stubborn?”
“Ha! Very stubborn. She needs someone like you around to keep her in line when her confidence is tipping the scales past her reality.”
“Keep going.”
“Gladly! I have the most wonderful granddaughter in the world, with some amazing qualities, but she picks tomatoes better than she picks her men. I think she deserves someone special. And you are one-heck-of-a special person, too. Just sayin’.”
“Well, thank you very much,” Ben said.
“Okay!” I said. “Thanks for calling, Grandma.”
“I saw the photo of you two in La Jolla,” Grandma Joyce said, ignoring me. “The one you posted on Instagram? So lovely.”
It was no use. I would just need to let her get this out of her system, but I would surely give her a piece of my mind when I saw her tomorrow.
“I like your style because you tell it like it is and don’t pull any punches. Can you watch over her for me?”
Ben winked at me. “Of course.”
“And if you want a good laugh, I can share some butt-naked photos of her as an infant.”
I covered my face with my hands. “Grandma, please.”
“Fine. I’ll leave you two to your show. Can you play a song for me and dedicate it?”
Ben shook his head. “As much as I think that you are a true delight, Joyce, why don’t we just end the call on a positive note by saying goodbye and skipping the silly love song?”
I sat up, alert now. “What’s wrong, Mr. Tough Stuff? Can’t handle the heat?”
“Of course, he can handle the heat,” Grandma Joyce said. “If he can handle you, he can handle anything. Isn’t that right?”
Ben hesitated. “Sure. Bring it on.”
“Great! I want you to play ‘Love the One You’re With’ by Stephen Stills and I dedicate it to the two of you.”
“No way, Grandma. Not going to happen.”
Ben smirked. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle the heat?”
Grandma Joyce laughed. “You tell her!”
I crossed my arms. “I’m not playing that song.”
“Fine. I will then. Thanks for calling, Joyce. I hope to meet you in person and give you a big hug.”
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
Ben said goodbye to Grandma Joyce and played the song. He cranked up the volume in the studio and sang along.
I slipped off my headphones and yelled above the music. “I thought you said you didn’t like silly love songs.”
Ben pointed to the speakers. “This song is not silly. It’s a classic. Play more songs like this one and I will be a happy man.”
I shook my head. “Dream on.”
The truth was that I loved the song. What was bugging me was that my grandma called into the show and tried to get involved in my love life. I didn’t need her help. And what made matters worse was when she dedicated that song to me and Ben and said we should be together.
I held in a smile as Ben sang along and pretended to play the guitar.
He had a cocky look on his face, because he knew I was watching him.
Ben continued to sing, and I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
I started laughing and shook my head at him. “You look ridiculous.”
He reached out and turned down the volume. “What?”
“I said you look ridiculous.”
Ridiculously cute.
He nodded. “I don’t have a problem with that.”
Ben slipped his headphones back on as the song ended and turned on the microphone. “Welcome back to Dr. Tough Love. Lori Martin is with me, and I must say, I really enjoyed talking with your grandma. That gal is so full of life.”
I nodded. “She’s full of something. Shall we take another call? I need to completely forget about what happened the last five minutes.”
Ben laughed. “Of course.”
Grandma Joyce with her attempt at matchmaking, along with her absurd dedication, really got to me for some reason. It was time to get back to business and help our listeners with their relationship problems.
“Let’s go to Karen in Encinitas, you’re on the air with Dr. Tough Love and