in greeting his grandma, but I notice he doesn’t hug her. He just smiles and allows her to kiss his cheek.
When both boys are settled back on the couch with their pizza and the tub of cookies, I glance at the clock to check the time then go to the front door and shrug on my jacket.
“You’re leaving already?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, I want to stop and pick up flowers, and I know traffic will be crazy with all the construction happening around town.”
“Flowers,” she murmurs, looking proud, and then she eyes me from head to toe. “You look handsome. Burgundy looks good on you.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, and she grins. “The boys asked about seeing a movie. I left a hundred dollars on the kitchen counter for you, if you feel up to taking them.”
“I can pay for my grandbabies to see a movie,” she snaps, sounding as annoyed as she always does when I leave money with her for the boys.
“It’s not for the movie. It’s for the forty dollars’ worth of junk food they will want, along with whatever you guys decide to pick up for dinner.”
“We’ll go to Walmart before and get stuff to take in with us.” She waves me off.
“They’ll still want frozen drinks at the movie, along with popcorn, and food afterward.”
“Yeah, and I can afford that stuff too. I’m not broke.”
She’s not; she’s always been careful with money. Still, I always leave money, even if I know it will be right where I left it when I get home. “Use it or don’t, but it’s there if you need it,” I say, and she gives me a look full of annoyance. I glance at the couch, where the boys are now eating chocolate chip cookies and watching some show on TV, and then look at my mom. “After they eat, urge them to finish their homework before you go to the movies.”
“It’s Saturday. They have tomorrow to do homework.”
“Yeah, but I told them I’d take them to the batting cages tomorrow before the game comes on. If they have homework, they will have to miss out on one or the other.”
“Oh, right.”
“I’ll be back before eleven,” I tell her, then add, “If I’m running later than that, I’ll call.”
“Eleven, midnight, tomorrow morning—we’ll be good.” She smiles, back to being happy, and I shake my head at her.
“Boys, be good for your grandma!” I shout as I grab my keys.
“We will!” Max shouts back.
“Have fun, Dad,” Mitch says.
“Thanks, bud.” I lift my chin.
“Have fun tonight.” Mom winks.
“Thanks,” I shake my head.
After fighting traffic and picking up flowers from the florist in town, I head to December’s apartment building and get there ten minutes before I’m supposed to arrive. I climb out, taking the bouquet of pink peonies with me, and move to her door. I knock and get no reply, so I knock again and ring the bell, hearing a muttered curse right before the door is yanked open.
“You’re early,” she says with her fingers wrapped around the robe at her waist, her hair still up in curlers and one eye darker than the other with makeup.
“Eight minutes.”
“What?” She shakes her head, taking a step back as I walk into her apartment.
“I’m early by eight minutes.” I glance at the clock on her wall. “Actually, seven.” I look around and see her e-reader on the couch, along with an open bag of Cheetos and a Diet Coke on her coffee table. “Did you forget about our date?”
“What? Of course not. I just—”
“Let me guess,” I cut her off. “You were reading and lost track of time.”
“Something like that.” She looks away as her cheeks grow pink with embarrassment.
“You’ll have to tell me about the book at dinner.”
She looks at the clock and her eyes widen. “Crap.” She spins around, “I’ll be back in ten minutes, make yourself at home,” she calls as she runs off.
Figuring it will take her longer than ten minutes to finish getting ready, I place the flowers in my hand next to her Coke on the coffee table then take a moment to look around. Her living room is small, but it’s also bright and filled with color. There are photos on the walls, along with framed pieces of floral art and quotes from various people, all artfully arranged. There isn’t an empty space to be seen, and even though it’s chaotic, it’s still somehow her.
I walk to her bookshelves, pick up the top book from a stack all from the