Page 106 of That Conflicted Feeling

Aftermy first chance to sleep late in years, a fabulous breakfast delivered from my favorite restaurant, and some not-sleeping back-to-bed time, we’ve hit the road to getPollyback toWarmSprings.

“We’renearly there anyway.”Sheconcentrates on the open country road ahead and rests her hand on my thigh.

There’sbeen a constant tremor in my stomach ever since we set off from the city.Ithink she’s going to be happy with whatI’mabout to show her, but there’s always a chance that her independent spirit might rule the day and it could all go horribly wrong.

Itwine my fingers through hers.

“Momwas so happy you could get away at the last minute and come home with me for the day,” she says. “She’llhave hadCarlyrunning in circles to tidy up and make things nice for you.”

IliftPolly’shand to my lips and kiss the back of it. “Ithink she should already be beyond standing on ceremony for me.Imean, the last timeIwas thereIwas wearing her goat bathrobe, which barely covered my essentials.”

“Herewe go.”Pollyturns smoothly into the driveway.

“What?Noyanking the wheel so hardIslam into the door?”

Shepulls on the hand brake and gives me a peck on the cheek. “Nottrying to get rid of you this time.”

We’rebarely out of the van whenCarlycomes bounding out of the house and wrapsPollyin a giant hug.

Shelooks at me overPolly’sshoulder. “You’dbetter be good to this girl,Max.”

“Youcan bet your life on it.I’mcertainly betting mine.”

CarlyreleasesPollyand slides open the side door of the van as the bleating resumes.“I’lltake care ofLacey.Cagney’smissed her.Youguys go inside,” she says.

Idrape my arm aroundPolly’sshoulders as we make our way into the house to find her mom sitting at the kitchen table pulling apart sprigs of lavender.Herbroken leg is strapped up in a brace and resting on a stool.

“Lookat you up and at it.”Pollystoops to embrace her. “GuessIdidn’t have to feel guilty about leaving you.”

“Never.Andleast of all when it means such fabulous news.Comehere,Max.”Shebeckons me into a three-way hug. “I’mso happy my headstrong daughter saw sense.”

Whatfiner welcome into a family could anyone wish for?I’msure my folks will accept and embracePollyas warmly asGloriahas done with me.They’llno doubt also be surprised—and relieved—thatI’veaccepted it is possible to discover a meaning to life other than work.

“Onceyou’re all healed up, perhaps you’d like to meet my parents,”Itell her. “Ithink you and my mom would get along great.”

Glorialets go of me and claps her hands to her cheeks.

“Oh,Max.”Hereyes mist over.“Iwould love that.”

Istraighten and rub my hands together. “Anyway, ladies.”Herewe go.Thetremor in my stomach turns to a full-on quake. “There’ssomethingI’dlike to show you both.”

There’sno going back now.

“Showus?” asksPolly. “Whatis there here for you to show us?”

“Areyou able to move?”IaskGloria. “Imean, outside, for a little walk?”

Pollyfrowns and rests her hand on her mom’s shoulder, as if to hold her in the chair. “She’ssupposed to keep her weight off that leg.”

“Noworries,”Carlysays, as she walks in through the back door. “Mrs.Bentleystopped by yesterday and dropped off a spare walker.”

“Yes,”Gloriasays. “Ipracticed with it a little, and it made all the difference.”

“Well,Idon’t know.”Pollypulls a face somewhere between worried and skeptical.

“Beingable to get up and about really cheered her up.”Carlypointedly emphasizes the last four words as she stares hard atPolly.

Pollysighs, taking the hint. “Oh, okay.Well, as long as you’re not on your feet for too long.Andrest properly afterward.”