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The cat only purred at me and nestled into my arms.

Yea, that was it.

Me:

I finally convinced grandma to pick up her cane from the pharmacy

Mama:

About time! What did you have to threaten her with?

I snickered at her quick reply to the message I’d sent in the group chat, holding tighter to my grandmother’s hand while we walked the short distance from the pharmacy on Main Street to Read the Room. She wanted to see Goldyn and I wanted to see how many books I could buy before I felt better about the waymy day had started. The credit card Greyson never took back was suddenly burning a hole in my pocket.

I typed out the next message with one hand.

Me:

No threats. The PT said if she kept overworking her hip, soon the cane wouldn’t be an option. It would be a necessity.

Dad:

Trust me, that IS a threat to your grandma. You know she doesn’t take well to having to sit down and let people do stuff for her

Me:

Dad! When did you rejoin the group chat??

Dad:

Last night

Before I could comment on his emoji choice, another message appeared on my screen.

Daddy:

True, baby girl, why does your mother say you aren’t coming home for dinner next Thursday?

Me:

Because I have a wedding reception to go to the day after, Daddy. I don’t think Camryn has a quick back and forth trip in him. You know he needs a few days to settle

Mama:

Especially if it’s snowing.

Daddy:

Fine. But Christmas, you’re coming home. At least a week. And we’ll talk about that car of yours then

Me:

You sound like your mom. So bossy

Wynton St. John was a carbon copy of Ruby Jean. He got some of my grandfather’s mannerisms, but he looked just like his mama. And was just as bull-headed. My mother double texted while I kept my eyes ahead. The cold air had my eyes watering and my grandma was on my right, not batting an eye at the frigid chill that had settled over Bliss Peak in the past two days.

Mama:

As long as you’re not alone