Page 110 of Just One Silver Fox

Nate smiled. “And I’m real life Tech Support?”

“Pretty much. Keeping Mom safe is your mission, spy guy. Do you accept it?”

Nate laughed. “You’re on. I’ll make it happen.”

“Thanks. And one more thing.”

“Isn’t there always?”

“Haha. If Mom isn’t organizing a picnic, she’ll be at loose ends.”

“When in doubt, find someone a job?” Nate guessed, having experienced his sister’s strategies first-hand in the past.

“Exactly. And you’re moving into a new apartment. That means you need stuff.”

“Stuff. I don’t need stuff.”

“Of course, you need stuff. You need dishes and pots and utensils and sheets and towels and chairs. All things you probably never think about.”

“I ordered a new bed,” Nate said in his own defense. “A couch and a television.”

Sheba barked approval of that, or maybe she just wanted him to turn on some more nature shows.

“You have a dog?”

“Yes. That’s Sheba.”

“That’s good,” his sister said. “You’re a lot more sociable when you have a dog. She’ll help you meet women.”

“I don’t do so badly on my own.”

“You’re changing the subject. I’m giving you Gram’s enameled cast iron pot and a bunch of other stuff.”

“What does this mean?” Nate asked with suspicion.

Diane sighed. “That Andrew and I are merging kitchens. Duplicates have to go, and you win. It’s all good stuff and will save you from buying it. I’m going to take it to Mom’s, and she can figure out what’s missing or what you’re likely to need. Then you can rely on her expertise to fill in the gaps.”

It actually wasn’t a bad idea. “Okay.”

“Because you’re going to visit her every month, right?”

“That was the plan.”

“And I’ll go every month on a different weekend to minimize exposure. I’ll show her how to search on the iPad and she can help with your shopping. You know Mom is a great shopper. She finds the best bargains.”

“Why do I suddenly think my apartment will be full before I even move in?”

Diane laughed. “She can just make suggestions. She’ll have fun with it.”

His mom would and Nate knew it.

“And please tell Sonia that I’d really like to talk to her.”

“I will.”

Diane audibly blew him a kiss. “You’re officially the best brother ever and my favorite.”

“I’m your only brother,” Nate was compelled to note.

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