building outside the shop and decided it was time to skedaddle and head back to the movie theater.
As she pulled into the parking lot, she saw Mitchel and Jackson waiting in front of the ice-cream shop. She parked the car and walked briskly toward them.
“Grammy! A new scarf?” Jackson yelled out. He had never seen his grandmother wearing anything that pretty before.
“Yes, Jackson. I thought I should treat myself.” She shot Mitchel a look.
“It’s lovely, Mother, but I wish you would have let me treat you,” Mitchel broke in.
“You need to hang on to your cash, son. I am perfectly capable of treating myself.” That much was true. Between Gregory Sr.’s life insurance policy and his Social Security, she was financially stable. The house had been paid for before her husband died, and the property taxes were minimal, owing to a special farm rate. Her only monthly expenses were utilities, food, and gas for the car. She had offered Mitchel his old bedroom, but he had chosen to stay with his brother, saying it was closer to Jackson. That, too, was true. Still, she felt that Mitchel would have a better chance at gaining joint custody if he had a more permanent environment. She wondered what Mitchel was going to do about that. She knew he couldn’t afford an apartment without a job. She also knew that she was particularly hard on her sons, but with her new attitude, maybe Mitchel would change his mind.
They went into the ice-cream shop, and Jackson ordered a scoop of cherry vanilla and a scoop of chocolate. “With lots of sprinkles, please,” Jackson said politely to the young girl dressed in the pink-striped jumper and funny hat that looked like an ice-cream cone turned upside down.
“Absolutely!” She smiled at him.
Mitchel and Vivian both ordered a scoop of coffee ice cream sans sprinkles.
“So, my man, we still have a couple of hours. How about we go bowling?” He looked at Vivian for approval after he addressed Jackson.
Vivian sat back and folded her arms across her chest. She reminded herself that that Vivian was the old version. Then she relaxed and smiled.
“That’s if Grammy doesn’t mind driving us around a little more.” He looked over at his mother. She was smiling. He was surprised.
“Oh, I don’t see why not. We do have lots of time. As long I don’t have to participate. You know how much I hate renting bowling shoes!” She chuckled. Mitchel did a double take. Who is this woman?
Jackson laughed out loud. “Grammy, you’re funny!”
Vivian fiddled with her new scarf. “I’m simply happy to be with two of my favorite men. Of course, Gregory is a favorite, too, but he’s not here today.”
Jackson was taking the final lick from his cone as the others got up from the table. “Finish up before we get in the car, please.” Mitchel was giving Jackson a warning.
“No problem, Dad.” Jackson began crunching on the sugar cone. A minute later, he showed that his hands were empty. “See?”
Vivian chimed in. “I see you should probably go wash your hands.” She’s still smiling. How odd, Mitchel thought.
The restroom was only a few feet away from the table, so Mitchel let Jackson go in by himself. While Jackson was in the bathroom, Mitchel leaned over to his mother. “Everything OK?”
“Of course, Mitchel. Why do you ask?”
“You seem, well, I guess the word is ‘relaxed.’ ” Mitchel chose his words carefully.
“I am, dear.”
Mitchel blinked. Dear? She hadn’t called him that since he was in the fifth grade.
“Well, good. I’m glad to hear it.” Mitchel let out a big exhale. He hadn’t realized that he was holding his breath.
“Listen. I really appreciate you babysitting both of us today.”
Mitchel was as sincere as he could be. He knew that little encounter with Lucinda had put his mother over the top. But in the past few hours, her entire demeanor had changed. Maybe it’s a magical scarf. He snickered to himself.
“It’s OK, son. I know you’re going through a rough patch. Remember, my house is always open to you and Jackson. At some point, you might have him for an entire weekend. It would be nice if he had his own room. You don’t want to impose any further on your brother, now, do you?”
Mitchel could hardly believe this was his mother talking in such a kind and compassionate manner. He was going to savor it even if it was only temporary.
Jackson returned to the table and showed both of them how clean