Page 13 of The Disasters of Dating (Love Connections #6)

POPPY

You’re on a roll today! Go run those errands. Visit friends. Maybe even check out a new local restaurant. The Pisces moon will make your transit smooth and ensure the conversation is on point. Don’t hold back what’s on your mind. Talking it out will offer you clarity.

I follow Keaton with my eyes as he walks to his gate and gets in line.

I know the universe told us in no uncertain terms that we were a no-go, but I can’t ignore the pull towards him.

And it’s not just the kiss. I think about more than that.

I mean, I probably wouldn’t slap him if he tried to kiss me again. But I’d also be good if we just talked.

I shake my head lightly as a customer looks at the self-checkout and then looks at me. He bypasses the self-checkout and drops an armful of snacks on the counter.

I smile. “Long flight?” I ask, taking in the volume of treats.

The short, gangly guy pushes his glasses up on his nose. “Not terribly long—just to the east coast.”

I quickly scan each item and drop it into a plastic sack. “Business or pleasure?” I ask. Not because I’m overly interested. Although I find it interesting to hear where people are going and why.

“Business,” he glances over his shoulder and looks to the gate where Keaton is standing.

“Are you headed to Boston?”

He nods and gives me a look I’m all too familiar with. Hurry.

I open my mouth to give him the total, but he has already tapped his card and is grabbing his bag of snacks off the counter. He is nearly to the terminal before I can shout, “Have a good flight.”

He doesn’t even glance at me over his shoulder.

I shrug it off. Whatever. He isn’t going to kill my good vibes today.

My phone buzzes with a message, and I pull it out.

(603) 538-7114

I’m sorry to have bothered you! Thanks for letting me know. I would hate to chew out my bro for leaving me hanging at the restaurant when he didn’t even get the text.

I look down at it. I don’t need to engage, right? I did my part and made sure he knew it was a wrong number. But it feels a little rude not to acknowledge his gratitude.

You’re welcome!

I slip my phone back into my pocket. And glance over toward the Boston gate. They must have called his section because Keaton is walking toward the attendant standing at the door to the jetway.

I frown. I’m not sure why I feel a stab of disappointment.

It’s not like we are dating. And besides, he’s coming back on Sunday—not that he promised to come see me or anything.

I move out from behind the counter and start straightening shelves that don’t need straightening.

But I obviously need something to occupy my mind.

My phone rings and I answer it before I notice who is on the other end. Oh, crap. It’s Grandma Alice. I shut my eyes and brace myself. When Sadie got a call like this, it was to trick her into going to the family reunion.

“Hi, Grandma,” I say in as chipper a voice as I can manage. My Grandma Sue or any one of my cousins on my mom’s side could totally tell it’s fake. But Grandma Alice has never taken the time to get to know me or my siblings very well.

“Hello, Alice, dear,” she says in her ’I’m superior’ tone.

Yes, she calls me Alice. My parents, in their quest for even-stevenness, named me Poppy Alice Ashcombe—Alice after my Grandma Alice (duh) because they’d given Sadie the middle name of Sue after my Grandma Sue (another duh).

But Grandma Alice thinks the name Poppy is flighty and irresponsible.

So she refuses to call me anything but my middle name.

Yeah, lucky me. “How are you doing? I missed seeing you at the reunion.” Read—I’m still unhappy you did not do my bidding and come to the reunion.

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I know. I missed seeing you, too,” I lie like a rug.

I did not spend a single second missing Grandma Alice—or any of my dad’s family, if I’m being completely honest. They all look down on our little branch of the family.

They look at us as the poor stepchild. Even though my dad was not a stepchild.

He was, however, a disappointment. He didn’t follow in the family business, and then he did the unthinkable and moved away from Alaska.

“I’m so glad to hear that. I just spoke with your mom, and she said that you are on break from school for the next few weeks.

” I scowl. My mom and I are going to have words about what she can and can’t tell Grandma Alice.

I’m surprised she’s even talking to Grandma Alice after what she tried to pull on Sadie at the reunion.

“Anyway, dear. I thought since you are not in school right now, you might come up and visit me in Alaska. It won’t be like the reunion, but we could still do some things together.

” There is a sugary sweetness in her voice that I don’t trust. She has something up her sleeve.

“Oh, man. I wish I could. But I took on extra shifts at work to earn a little extra money. You know, trying to get ahead financially…make sure I have enough money for next semester.” She can’t refute that, right?

I’m showing a very un-Poppy-name trait right now.

And it’s also complete crap. I’m working some shifts, but I’ve taken off more time than usual because I want to enjoy my school break.

It might be my last real break if I get accepted into an MBA program.

But I’m not about to share that information.

She offers a tight, fake laugh. “Alice, dear, you don’t need to worry about that. I told you I would give you the money for your education.”

I frown at the face I have with her contact information. It’s a very stiff-looking photo. And she is wearing a very condescending expression. It looks exactly like her.

I know that her money comes with strings.

Lots and lots of strings. I let out a fake, pouty sigh.

“I know,” I purr into the phone. “It’s so kind of you to offer.

But I want to do this on my own. I need to prove to myself that I can.

You know what I mean?” She knows, but that doesn’t mean she likes it.

Me doing it on my own takes her control away.

And if there is anything my Grandma Alice hates, it’s losing control.

I think that is one of the reasons she treats us like she does.

Because my dad didn’t allow her to control him, and we are the product of that.

When she looks at us, we’re a constant reminder that she couldn’t control everything.

“But I want to see you. And there is someone I want to introduce to you.”

My brows go up. What? Who could she want to introduce me to? Did she not learn her lesson with Sadie?

“I know, Grandma. I want to see you too. But I’ve already committed to working, and I can’t get a replacement now.

Not with this short notice.” This is where I have it better than Sadie.

Everyone knows Sadie can do her job anywhere with an internet connection.

So she couldn’t use her job as an excuse to get out of the reunion.

I, on the other hand, can. And will…with no hesitation at all.

“Family is more important than your dead-end job at the airport, Alice.” Her tone is sharp and irritated. Now the true Grandma Alice comes out. I knew she was lurking in there somewhere.

“It may be a dead-end, Grandma, but it is a means to an end. I only have two more semesters and then I’ll graduate.

Then I can look at working somewhere else.

” I haven’t ever told her my goal of opening a chain of airport newsstand shops.

She would call the plan ‘imbecilic’ or something equally unkind.

I’m also not telling her about my plans to go to grad school.

If I know her, she’ll figure out a way to pay for my tuition, and then I’ll be beholden to her.

And I refuse to take that path. My momma didn’t raise no stupid children… except Brody and Sadie, apparently.

She lets out an irritated sigh. “Why must you girls make everything so difficult? I’m trying to improve your lives, and you fight me every step of the way. I don’t understand it.”

I think about my horoscope this morning.

It said I should speak my mind. But it’s never met Grandma Alice.

I’m sure if it had, it would eat those words.

I chew on my cheek for a minute. But then I shrug.

Maybe that is why she is so entitled—because no one has ever told her how they feel.

I open my mouth, but then I shut it. Never mind.

I’m not going to be the first to do it. At least not today.

“I’m really sorry, Grandma. I wish there was a way we could work something out. ”

She huffs. “I’m not happy about this, Alice.”

“I’m sure you’re not, Grandma. But wouldn’t you rather I be a responsible person and not see you as often than an irresponsible person who sees you frequently?

” I already know the answer to the question.

She only cares about responsibility when it affects her.

Otherwise, she doesn’t care two hoots about it.

“If you’d come visit me, I’m certain you could have both things.” There is a tone to her voice that sets my teeth on edge.

“Hey, Grandma, I need to let you go. I’m at work and a customer is waiting.

Talk to you soon. Bye.” I hang up with her still sputtering on the other end.

There isn’t a customer, but I feel no remorse.

It took many years to come to that attitude.

But when you’re dealing with the likes of Alice Josephine Hartwell Ashcombe, you have to develop a backbone sometime, or she’ll walk all over you.

I pull out my phone and text Sadie.

Grandma Alice just called. She tried to guilt me into visiting. She said she wants to introduce me to someone. Did she learn nothing from you??? I told her it couldn’t happen and hung up with her sputtering on the other end.

Sadie

Are you serious? My blowing up at her did nothing? I’m so done with her.

Who do you think she’s going to try and saddle me with???

Sadie

Some rich guy she can control. Next time she calls, don’t answer.

her. That’s what I plan to do until she treats us with some respect.

I wouldn’t have answered her call, but I was distracted. Do you think she can sense when we’re distracted and that’s when she calls?

Shadie

I wouldn’t put it past her.

I heart Sadie’s text. Maybe I shouldn’t have texted her.

It might be too soon for her to think unimpassionately (is that even a word?) about Grandma Alice yet.

I grimace. I would never say it to Sadie, but she actually should thank Grandma Alice.

After all, if she hadn’t tried to meddle in Sadie’s life, Sadie and Max would probably not be dating right now.

But I’ll keep that little tidbit to myself.

The store is empty, so I pull up my mom’s number.

Do we need to go over what you can tell Grandma Alice about my life and what you can’t?

Mom

***

She called and said you told her I was on break so she is trying to guilt me into going to Alaska.

Mom

Sorry, Soda! I didn’t even think about that. She hasn’t mentioned you going up since we went to the reunion.

(GIF of boy lifting his brow and shaking his head)

She’s crafty, Mom. You know that already. Only yes and no answers with her from now on. She’s scheming something, so we all need to be on high alert.

Mom

She isn’t that bad, Poppy. And she is your grandmother.

(GIF of Dan Levy saying ‘Are you sure?’)

I think I might need DNA testing to fully believe that. She is nothing like Dad.

Mom

No. You’re right. She isn’t. He was much more like his own father.

I never knew my grandpa. He had died before I was born. But I wish I had met him. From what I’ve heard, he was a good guy. My dad was proof of that.

How did Grandpa end up with her????

Mom

Likely because his mother was just like her.

We must stop the vicious cycle, Mom!

Mom

I think your dad already did. That’s why Grandma Alice is so…Grandma Alice. She isn’t used to confrontation. I hope yo u were polite.

I’m always polite. But that may be why she is how she is. Someone needs to stand up to her. Maybe then she would figure out she is losing three of her grandkids. Not that she probably cares.

Mom

She cares or she wouldn’t keep trying to control you. If she didn’t care, she would ignore you and have no contact with you. I’m not trying to make excuses for her. But I don’t think she knows how to act any other way. She’s never had to.

Stop! I refuse to feel guilty for not going to visit and have her introduce me to whatever rich guy she has decided to control.

Mom

I’m not trying to make you feel guilty, Pops. I just want you to realize there are two sides to every coin.

Wait. I just finished reading that. What do you mean she wants to introduce you to someone???

She didn’t give names. Just that there was someone she wanted me to meet.

Mom

*shaking head. You don’t have to go.

Don’t worry. I’m not. I told her I couldn’t get off work. (Which isn’t a complete lie.) And I need the money. But can you please not tell her my schedule anymore?

Mom

Yeah…sorry about that. It was not intentional.

I know. Are you around tonight?

Mom

No, I’m going to book club.

I frown. I thought she went to book club, like, two weeks ago.

Again?

Mom

Yeah?

Are you doing Dani’s book?

Mom

No, we did it last time I was in charge, remember? It had just come out.

Dani’s book came out, like, six months ago.

Mom

Yeah, that was the last time I hosted book club.

Oh, I was thinking you meant last month. Sorry, you were seeming a little sus for a minute there.

Mom

Aren’t you at work???

Yeah. But it’s slow right now. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.

I scroll through my texts from my mom. I swear she said she was going to book club more recently than a month ago.

It doesn’t take me long to find the text I was thinking of.

I look at the date. It was after she got back from Alaska, which was…

just over two weeks ago. I narrow my eyes at my screen.

Did they move it up this month? If they did, why didn’t she say that?

What is going on with her? I hope she isn’t getting early-onset Alzheimer’s because she’s seemed a little forgetful lately.

And she seems to think she goes to book club a lot.

I guess it’s possible that she belongs to more than one. But wouldn’t she tell me that?

I shake my head.

I’m sure the Cheaper than Therapy chat will have things to say about my Grandma Alice.

They’ve heard the stories for our whole lives.

If nothing else, I’m sure it will prove amusing.

But it will have to wait, because someone hurries into the store and grabs a few packages of nuts and some Twizzler Bites.

He slams them onto the checkout counter, his eyes flicking over his shoulder.

He seems like someone who would appreciate a bad English accent. “G’day, mate” I say with a smile.