Page 94 of Last Call

“How does she seem?” Riley asked.

“Mom?”

Riley nodded.

“She’s Mom,” Fallon replied. “She’s okay.” Fallon looked to ensure no one was coming. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Oh, boy.”

“Funny, Riley.”

Riley smiled.

“I think we should visit Sylvia.”

Riley blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“Is that a bad idea?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Maybe we could convince Mom to go with us. I think it’d be good for her, Riley. And it would be good for you and Owen, too.”

“Are you sure you want to visit Sylvia?”

“Sure. Why not? Unless you think it will bother her to see us together.”

“No,” Riley put the thought to rest. “She’s always singing your praises.”

Fallon grinned.

“Not every woman sings your praises,” Riley teased.

“Maybe noteveryone.”

“Mm. Dora may have proved to be a bigger fan than you thought. You still have Mary Branigan to deal with.”

“She is meaner than a nun.”

“How many nuns do you know?” Riley asked.

“Not the point. My grandmother told me the nuns whacked her with a ruler for whispering in class.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What? She did. She went to Catholic school until the ninth grade. And she said she blamed her arthritis on all the whacks the nuns gave her.”

Riley pursed her lips.

“It’s true, Riley.”

“Fallon!” Andi called. “Can you help Dave get the coolers from the garage?”

“Be right there!” Fallon yelled. “Our kids are never going to a Catholic school.”

“Because there are so many in Whiskey Springs,” Riley said.

“Just putting it out there,” Fallon said as she jogged back to the house.

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