Page 156 of After Anna

“Oh sure, always happy to talk about my PG.” Elma smiled, showing teeth missing on the sides. “Sit down, take a load off. I like company. I don’t get much anymore.”

“Thanks.” Maggie sat down on the couch, and so did Caleb and Kathy. The end table was cluttered with crossword puzzles, pens, old newspapers, a pack of More 100s, a full ashtray, and an empty bag of microwave popcorn.

“Is it still snowing?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, my. I thought it woulda stopped by now.” Elma’s rheumy eyes shifted to Caleb, and she smiled more broadly, her jowls slackening against her cheeks. “Oh, boy, aren’t you just the cutest? How old are you?”

“I’m ten,” Caleb said confidently, since he had practiced it many times.

“And what grade are you in?”

“Fifth.”

“Do you like school?”

“It’s okay.” Caleb nodded.

“I see you got one of those phones. What you got on there?”

“Clash of Clans. A game.”

“My oh my. Good for you!” Elma cleared her throat, with difficulty. “I’d love some tea. Caleb, would you get me some, so I don’t have to get up? The kettle’s full, all you do is turn the knob.”

“Yes.” Caleb rose and went to the kitchen.

“Thanks, Caleb.” Maggie glanced back to make sure he was okay. The kitchen was small, and Caleb turned the knob on the stove, then sat down at the table to play his video game.

“Would you girls like some tea, too?”

“No thanks,” Maggie answered, for both of them. “Is PG your only granddaughter?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Do you have any grandsons?”

“Not from the same man. You know howthatgoes.” Elma sighed. “Do you smoke?”

“No.”

“Good. It’s terrible for you. I want a cigarette but I can’t have one. Not until bedtime. Sometimes I cheat.” Elma smiled naughtily, showing dimples in her cheeks, which she must have passed on to her granddaughter, PG.

“Where does PG go to school?”

“Tipton High. She’s a whip, that girl. Smart.” Elma frowned. “I was fit to be tied when she dropped out, but there was no stopping her.”

“When did she drop out?”

“January. Said school wasn’t her thing. She’s her own boss, that one.”

“She was a waitress at Eddie’s, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, she got the job there. Liked it for a time, but she wanted to move to the big city.”

“Which city?”

“Philadelphia, but they’re all the same, aren’t they? Tall buildings, too many people. No grass under your feet.”