Page 49 of I Can't Even

Harry texted his horror with a bug-eyed emoji, but Hannah replied with a thumbs-up, so I was good to go. Yes, I was putting my entire future into the hands of two sixteen-year- olds. Heaven help me!

Chapter Sixteen

“Hey, Aunt Jules,” Harry greeted me as he and Hannah entered the house. “What’s the plan? Are you trying to give the guy a heart attack or a perpetual stiffy?”

“The second one,” I said.

“Well, Hannah brought outfits for both,” Harry said. “Personally, I’d go for the miniskirt with the cropped top, but she likes the minidress.”

“It’s just a bit subtler. I also like the leggings and red sweater combo—casual but hot.” Hannah had several hangers draped over her shoulder.

I was relieved that they’d both dressed for the occasion, knowing my plan to see the band and bag the guy. Harry was in jeans and a dress shirt and Hannah wore a cute pink minidress paired with cowboy boots. Adorable! I felt sort of bad using them as decoys, but then again, it was quality family time together and they were getting paid.

“This is the same guy who was staring at you at Gram’s funeral, right?” Harry asked. “The poor bastard whose heart you ripped out when you were teenagers?”

“Yes,” I said. “Thanks for the phrasing there, by the way—you make me sound like a total beyotch.”

Harry shrugged as if to say he called it like he saw it. Men!

“Well, I think trying to win back your high school sweetheart is very romantic,” Hannah gushed.

She dropped the clothes on the couch and clasped her hands in front of her in a total Disney princess pose that made me smile.

“Maybe I should just have a chat with him.” Harry cracked his knuckles ominously.

I realized my nephew was several inches taller than me and on his way to being a real live adult male. I glanced over at Hannah in her dress and saw that she was more woman than girl. When the heck had this happened?

It had been our tradition that every year they came to me for their spring vacations. We did it all: Central Park Zoo to the Empire State Building to tickets to the Late Show, but now they were like mini adults and pretty soon they would be leaving home for reals.

“You two are really growing up,” I said.

They both looked at me, and then at each other, saying together, “She sounds just like Mom.”

No wonder Sophie was struggling with her babies becoming adults and off for a summer in Switzerland, and the year after that, college. What would life be like for her and Stan with the twins gone?

“How is your mom handling your upcoming departure?” I asked.

The wore matching wary expressions.

“Tell me the truth.” I placed my hand to my heart.

“She cries a lot,” Hannah said.

“Yeah,” Harry nodded. “And staying here with you and Aunt Emily isn’t helping.”

“Because she’s missing you?” I asked.

“That and...” Harry’s voice trailed off and they exchanged another look.

“What?” I asked. They were quiet, so I pushed. “I can’t help if I don’t know.”

“She and Dad fight a lot.” Hannah said the words quickly as if speed would make it less damning.

“It’s not good, and it’s not Mom. It’s not her at all. To be frank, Dad is being a real prick,” Harry said. He donned a look of someone wiser than his years who expected better than what he was seeing in his father. In his young face, I saw the man he would become. It filled my heart because I knew he was going to be a good one.

“Tell you what,” I said. “While she’s here with me, I’ll see what I can find out and I’ll make sure she’s okay.”

“Thanks, Aunt Jules,” Hannah said.

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