Page 71 of Stuck with Me

ME

I know.

There’re a few texts from Amelia.

AMELIA

Have you frozen into a popsicle yet or are you and the granddaughter cozying up together for warmth?

If you don’t respond soon, I’m going to assume the worst. That you and the granddaughter killed each other.

You’re lucky. Just saw Hayden in the barn and he said you’re fine. That you’re more than fine actually. Did you and the granddaughter really sleep together?

ME

I’m fine. The power should be back on within the next 24 hours. Until then, I’ve gotta save the battery on my phone.

AMELIA

And the granddaughter?

ME

No comment.

* * *

“It’s easy,”Rosie says, while she winds yarn around a hook.

We’re on the couch together underneath a blanket and she’s trying to teach me how to crochet, despite still wearing the handmade splint on her wrist. It looks confusing as she weaves yarn around her finger and one hook. But I’ll do this all day if it means being next to her.

“Maybe I’ll just watch you,” I say, unintentionally intending for that to sound sexy or creepy.

“That’s boring.”

Not for me.

“Fine,” I groan.

“Here, I’ll get you started.”

She continues with what looks like a simple pattern. But while her fingers work quickly, it looks anything but. Though she struggles a bit because of her injured wrist.

“How’d you learn how to do this?”

“Gigi.”

“From everything I’ve learned about her, she doesn’t seem like the old grandma type who would sit at home crocheting while surrounded by cats.”

Rosie snorts. “She wasn’t. Gigi was the life of the party. She was quick witted and caring. And she hated cats.” After finishing a long row of knots, she says, “What about your grandma? Did she knit or crotchet?”

I shrug. “Yeah, but she never taught me.”

“Did you ever ask her to?”

“My grandma wasn’t like Gigi. She was your typical southern grandma. She got up early, did the laundry, served dinner every night at the same time, and sat next to my granddad at church in the same pew every Sunday.”

“That sounds nice, too.”

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