Page 105 of Big Britches

“Oh, my. It is beautiful. So fancy.”

It was early spring, the month of April, and well into short-sleeve weather in middle Georgia. Azaleas had bloomed the prior weekend and were prominent still, giant patches of pink, white and lavender scattered throughout the Shepherd property as far out as the new barn Titus had commissioned for the storage of TSA’s equipment.

They were standing in the backyard by the pool—Titus, Pedro, Alejandra, and Tucker—in front of the guest house. The painters had done a wonderful job, freshening it up in ivory with chocolate trim. Pedro had mixed annuals with the perennials in the beds out front—red, yellow, and purple—snapdragons, daffodils, and, of course, violets.

Lots of violets.

Titus chuckled. “I don’t know that it’s all that fancy, Nana P. But I’m glad you approve.”

It had been a long day with the five-hour round trip to Atlanta. They had picked her up at the airport hours earlier and were now finally home.

Home.

“It’s fancy for her,” Pedro whispered to him. “Compared to where we came from, it’s the Taj Mahal.”

“Tucker, why don’t you take Nana P in and show her around her new home?”

P, of course, stood for Pedro. The moniker plus initial had been Tucker’s idea. He’d deemed it necessary on the road trip up, a way of distinguishing his new Nana from the current one. He reached out and took the woman’s hand as if he’d known her for much longer than a few hours. “C’mon,” he said. “I’ll give you the grand tour. This place is great. It has a kitchen, a laundry room, and a huge TV.”

She placed her hand on his blond head, then glanced at Titus and Pedro. “This is such a joy, you know, so much more than I ever dreamed of. Not only are you providing me a home and reuniting me with my son, but you’re also giving me a grandchild to spoil, too.”

Titus chuckled. “You won’t have to go too far there. He’s already spoiled.”

“Aw, Daddy. Don’t listen to him, Nana P. Let’s make microwave popcorn and watch a video. Have you seen Toy Story?”

Alejandra looked to Titus, teary-eyed and grateful. In her smile, Titus saw Pedro, especially in her eyes. Tucker motioned to the door, and she turned, allowing him to guide her into the small house.

“You’re amazing. You know that?” Pedro said. “I’m so lucky.”

Titus scoffed. “No. I’m the lucky one. I can provide material things, even a grandson, but you and your mother–y’all are family now. That’s the genuine gift here. Of course, we’ll be forfeiting sex at the pool, you know? Can’t be ravaging you under the stars with your mother looking out the window.”

“Oh,” Pedro said, considering. “You’re right. No more pool play.”

“It’s a small sacrifice. And we have the house, the shower, and anywhere else we can avoid Tucker.”

“My God, we’re such adults now. Children and grandmothers. How can this be? I’m only twenty-four.”

“Welcome to my world.”

“And the pool was our special place, all of last summer. I’m going to miss that. Maybe we can still take advantage of it sometimes. Once my mother gets her driver’s license, perhaps they could run errands, or go to The Rialto for a movie. You know, when we’re feeling frisky.”

“I’m feeling frisky right now.” Titus grabbed Pedro’s hand and held it to his crotch where Pedro felt firmness beneath the fabric there.

“Wow. No kidding. But you’re always horny.”

“You complaining?”

“No way.”

“Let’s get her stuff out of the car and get her settled in. Maybe Tucker can spend the night out here with her. Keep her company.”

Pedro goosed Titus’s bulge.

“Mph,” Titus grunted, hunching over. “What?!”

“She’s not even in the country for twenty-four hours and you already have her babysitting.”

“Oh, baby. I’m gonna come! I’m gonna come!”

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