we didn’t. We never should have had that plum wine after drinking beer. This is all your fault, Josh. You said we couldn’t insult Mr. Win Lee by refusing the complimentary wine.”
“You guzzled half that carafe all by yourself. You even got sick. I did not get sick. I only pretended to drink the wine.”
“Ha! My mother…Your father…They saw us. They covered us up. Where’s my mother?”
“How should I know? You’re her daughter, you should know where your mother is at all times. What kind of daughter are you, anyway?”
“The kind that doesn’t know where her mother is. I bet your father…I bet he took unfair advantage of her with her new knee. My mother is naive and not the least bit worldly. Your father is a shark. Just like you.” Oh, God, did she just say that?
“Are you accusing my father of attacking your mother? My father, who can barely walk, who just had a hip replacement? That father?” Damn, his head was pounding so bad he could hardly stand it. A shark! Damn.
“Ha! Your father’s new hip and my mother’s new knee are those titanium joint things. That probably makes them almost bionic. They can walk. If they can walk, they can do other things.”
“My father would never…”
“Yeah, well, neither would my mother. Your father is a lot bigger than my little mother. She only weighs a hundred pounds. Your father must weigh two hundred. I rest my case. Oh, please give me some of that coffee before my head explodes. This kitchen hurts my eyes.”
Josh poured coffee. “Do you always complain like this so early in the morning? What’s wrong with this kitchen?” Josh asked, looking around the ancient kitchen.
“It’s outdated for one thing, just like the store. I never saw a stove with legs. What the heck is that funky-looking round thing on top of your refrigerator? I don’t see a dishwasher. Not that it’s any of your business, but the only time I complain this early in the morning is when I’m hungover, which is almost never, and when my mother goes missing. Have you noticed we’re fighting?”
“Everything works. We’re not fighting, I’m discussing things and you’re…Well, what you’re doing is complaining.”
Josh gulped from his coffee cup. Angie did the same. The word noodling came to Josh’s mind. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if his old man had more action going for him than he did? He started to laugh at the thought. He shared his thought with Angie, who, despite her pounding head, also started to laugh. Sometimes he was so damn witty he couldn’t stand himself.
Behind the kitchen door Eva and Angus listened to their offsprings’ mating call. At least that’s what Eva told Angus it was. Angus just shook his head. “She’s right about your kitchen, it’s a disgrace. You need to get with the program, Angus.”
Angus nudged the door open a sliver and let his gaze roam around the kitchen. “I like things I’m comfortable with, and I’m comfortable with this kitchen. Everything works just fine.” Then, tongue in cheek, he said, “Your daughter doesn’t really know anything about you, does she, Eva? You are not naive, and you’re as worldly as they come, if last night was any sort of indicator. Does your daughter know how good you are at improvisation?”
Eva giggled. “That will be enough of that, Angus. What are they doing now?”
“My son is whispering in your daughter’s ear. That could mean any number of things. I suggest we go back to our chairs and let them find us. Pretend to be asleep.”
Twenty minutes later, Eva reared up from her chair. “I don’t think it’s going to happen, Angus. They aren’t going to find us,” she said, limping over to the doorway. They’re gone. What time does your day lady come in? Do you think she can give me a ride home?”
“She’s due right now. Of course she can take you home. Will you come back, or should I have her bring me to your house later on? Better yet, why don’t I call a car service so we can have a driver at our disposal. Will that work for you, Eva?”
“Yes, I think it will. You have my cell phone number. Call me when your day gets under way.”
Thirty minutes later Eva entered her own house. She stopped at the refrigerator for a bag of frozen peas, then made her way into the family room, where she settled herself in her favorite chair. She sighed with relief