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“Beautiful,” I began, telling them all about the event, from the vows they wrote themselves to the best-man speech Cohen gave that had me crying I was laughing so hard. And then, of course, I had to tell them how amazing Tyler had been on the dance floor. “I overheard multiple women saying they hoped he was single when I was in the bathroom.”
Mom said, “That’s exactly how your dad was. Every girl had their eyes on him, but we’ve been together thirty-eight years now.”
Grandma said, “Well now I do feel old. I remember you bringing Murph home that first time to meet us.”
Mom covered her face with her hand not resting on a magazine. “I’d rather forget it.”
Grandma cackled and put her hand on my arm. “That boy dressed up, had on suspenders even.”
“Suspenders?” I gasped. “I’ve never seen Dad out of jeans.”
Grandma nodded. “Suspenders and these shiny black shoes. Your grandpa gave him one look and shook his head.” She lowered her voice. “’Not for my daughter. I need a man who can get some dirt on his hands. I’m not going to be able to run over to fix every leaky faucet and change every tire forever.’”
I dropped my head back and laughed. Of all the stories I’d been told of my parents’ youth, I hadn’t heard this one.
Mom said, “Murph was absolutely floored. He was stumbling over his words, and Grandpa gave him the side-eye. ‘You tongue-tied boy?’”
My stomach shook with laughter. “Poor Dad.”
Grandma said, “The next day he drove the car he restored over to the house, wearing his work clothes, and got his second chance at a first impression. Harold loved that boy once he got to know him. You’re lucky to have him as your daddy.”
After hearing Mara’s horror stories and seeing how strained things had been between Birdie and her parents, I knew she was right. “I’m lucky to have all of you as my family.” My voice cracked. “I love you.”
“Oh, honey,” Grandma said. She extended her arms for me, and I stood over her bed, letting her give me one of those hugs that makes everything better even though you’re falling apart. As I sat back in my chair, she said, “We aresoproud of you, baby girl. And we’re happy you’ve found Tyler. I have a good feeling about that boy.”
“Me too,” I said.
“In fact,” Mom said, looking at her phone.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “I just need you to head by the house in an hour. I want to make some more macramé hangers and all my stuff is there.”
I gave her a suspicious look, but she was already flipping back through her magazine, a small smile on her face.
41
Henrietta
Confession: I don’t know what I did to deserve this.
I senta text to Tyler before leaving the hospital, letting him know it would be another hour or so before we could meet up for dinner. I needed to get Mom her rope and rings to make those hangers. I should have asked her why Dad or my brothers couldn’t do it, since I hadn’t seen them at the hospital, but I’d honestly forgotten.
Tyler: No worries. I can pick you up from the hospital.
I smiled at my phone before tucking it in my purse and driving to my parents’ house. I needed to ask him when we’d be able to get to work on the new flooring. According to Mom, we had a couple weeks, since they wanted Grandma to do physical therapy in the hospital and get stronger before coming home. The fracture was small enough they hoped it would heal naturally, and she could use a walker until she felt more confident. If not, we’d have a whole ramp to install as well, adding the question of someone around to help her
Grandma’s life could be a lot longer, and harder, than I had planned for. And that put a knot of worry in my gut. I could be working for another ten years to keep her at home... unless I could find a remote job to stay at home with her?
But that thought was quickly wiped from my mind as I pulled up to the house. All of my brothers’ vehicles were there, along with Tyler’s pickup, and there was a brand-new ramp leading up to the front door.
Completely speechless, I got out of the car, seeing my brothers and Tyler spilling out the front door onto the porch.
“What do you think?” Dad called, grinning ear to ear.
“You built a ramp!” I barely registered my feet carrying me down the front sidewalk.
Dad clapped Tyler’s shoulder. “Wait ’til you see the inside.”