Page 108 of Too Old for This

I don’t like it one bit.

“It’s your phone,” he finally says. “I’ve been tracking your phone.”

CHAPTER 58

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

For years, I have worried about that smartphone. About how trackable I am. About the police. It never occurred to me that the real threat was my own son.

“How long have you been tracking me?”

“Just since Christmas, when you were down here.”

Just since.Archie says this like it makes everything better. It does not. It makes me think about all the places I’ve gone, everyone I’ve seen, everything I’ve done. Not that I’ve done a lot. Up until recently, my life has been quiet. But this is how he knew I was looking at retirement communities. He even called when I was at Tranquil Towers. And I lied to him.

More importantly, he has also tracked my mistakes.

Archie knows I was at Kelsie’s house, but he probably doesn’t know she died. An accidental death like hers was barely in the news here, let alone in California.

But still. That data exists on his phone, as well as mine.

“How did you do this?” I ask.

“It’s just an app.”

“So, when I was staying at your house over the holidays, you put this thing on my phone and you’ve been tracking me ever since?”

“It’s not because I’m trying to pry into your life. It’s because I’m concerned about you, Mom.”

“Concerned.”

“Yes. Look, I’m not trying to be rude, but you aren’t exactly young anymore. And you live alone.”

I have been betrayed before, but this betrayal cuts deep. Yes, I understand that I’m an old woman and Archie is trying to make sure I don’t end up a rotting corpse in my own home, but this goes well beyond simple concern.

“Mom, I really just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

He doesn’t sound like he’s lying. But I’m still so angry I would spit into my phone if it would hit him.

“What’s at the Harmony?” he says. “Orwhois at the Harmony, I should say.”

“Pardon?”

“The other day, when Morgan was in town. You went to the Harmony before lunch,” he says.

Dammit, he’s right. Morgan and I were texting about our lunch plans, and she wanted me to meet early and…

Dammit. I had my phone with me all day.

“I’m not going to answer that,” I say.

“You’re not going to tell me?”

“Archie, you and I have always been close. But there are some things you don’t talk to your children about.”

“What?” he says. “Oh.Ohhhhh.Mom, who are you—”

“None of your business.”