an accident or because I’d missed out on making the Olympic team. It came about because I’d turned my back on my purpose. As Alina had said, to do or die trying. I didn’t need a gold medal. I just needed to love the sport and immerse myself in it as much as I possibly could.
Alina raised her chin, her blue eyes flashing and, thankfully, bloodshot free. “You start tomorrow, yes? Help me unpackage the equipment.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from remarking on how that sounded. “I’ll be here at eight.”
“Unpackage the equipment,” Darcy wheezed and wiped tears from her eyes. “Holy hell, I wish I had heard her say that. And she has no idea that it sounded like a free-for-all event at a marital aide party?”
“None whatsoever.” We stood on the front steps to Grammy’s house. On the same spot where Clara’s house had once been. Where a member of our family should always reside.
I used the key to let myself in. Immediately comforted by the sweet scent of cinnamon potpourri. Grammy B shuffled out wearing her customary tracksuit and pink slippers. It took all of my willpower not to pick her up and squeeze the stuffing out of her.
“Joey. And Darcy too. What are you girls doing here?”
“We came to have coffee with you. I brought a crumb cake.” Darcy held the box aloft.
Grammy’s gaze lit up. “Well don’t just stand there. Come on in.”
We shucked coats and dumped purses before I headed into the kitchen to brew a pot of java.
“So, what’s new with you, Darcy? Been a dog’s age since I’ve seen ya.” Grammy B asked my friend when we were all settled around the table with a mug of coffee and a slice of cake.
“Between the business and my kids, I’ve been swamped,” Darcy said. “I decided I needed a mental health day before the storm rolls in tonight.”
“Storm?” I raised a brow.
“Haven’t you been paying attention to the news? We’re going to get two to three feet starting at midnight. The kids will be out of school for the rest of the week. And here you are about to get a new job and leave me in the lurch.” Darcy looked a little crazed by the thought.
“You can always ask Dragon. If school is canceled, she might be willing to help.”
“Only if she’s a masochist,” Darcy grumbled good-naturedly.
I reached across the table and grabbed Grammy’s knobby hand. “I found out something interesting. Did you know that Grandpappy’s great great great great grandmother Clara originally lived on this property before the Revolutionary War?”
Grammy B squinted at me. “Well, I’ll be. I knew his family owned this land for a good spell of time, but I had no idea how long.”
“It was a one-room log cabin,” I added.
Darcy shuddered. “I can not imagine how people survived in such close quarters, especially in the winter. Most of the time it feels like the kids are hanging all over me. I’m lucky when I can shower without someone busting in to use the toilet.”
We chatted for another hour before Grammy said she needed a rest.
Darcy and I snagged our coats but then I turned to my friend and said, “Go on, I’ll be right behind you.”
I settled Grammy in her chair with a blanket and the remote as well as her cell phone.
“Where’s your kitty today?” Grammy asked.
“Home. Her real home. I found out where she belongs.”
She smiled. “You’re a good girl, Joey.”
“Grammy,” I said. “Do me a favor and try to be nicer to Mom when she comes by later. You’re the most important person in her whole world, you know.”
“Think you got that backward. You are her world. Mine too.” She patted my cheek and pretended not to see the tears that lined my eyes.
“Where did you hear about all that?” Darcy asked me as we stood by her car. “Your great however many times grandma Clara, I mean?”
“Straight from the cat’s mouth.”
“Huh?”
I shook my head. “Never mind.”
Darcy asked, “We on for Wine Wednesday later?”
“Hell yes.” I pulled her into a great big bear hug and held on tightly. “My life just isn’t the same without you. And maybe we should invite Ursula. Oh, and Georgia, too. Make it a real girls night.”
“I’m cool with Georgia…but Ursula? Are you cracked or just smoking it?” She shuddered at the thought.
“She’s been through a lot. And I think she could use a few friends.”
“She’ll probably tell us to go to hell.” Darcy cautioned.