Page 117 of Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend

But I had no doubt she’d find another man there locally. One who wouldn’t take her away from the people she loved most. I just hoped he’d love her the way she deserved.

And me? It was looking like our family would have three perpetual bachelors in my brothers and me.

Dad and I spent the day building temporary fence, and after that, I went into Dallas to have dinner with Gage. Even though I was staying in my old room with Mom and Dad, he wanted to meet up once a week for dinner. I think to make sure I was okay. He wouldn’t admit it, but I’d scared him.

Hell, I’d scared myself. I was barely climbing out of that hole, hanging on to the edge with my fingertips bleeding in the dirt. But I could see some light. And that hope... it was everything to me.

Gage and I sat in a high-end restaurant and ordered off a menu that didn’t even have prices listed.

After the server left, I said, “I need to get a job.”

Gage looked at me across the table, annoyance making his lips twitch just like they always did when we were kids.

“What?” I asked.

“You don’t want a job. Why the fuck haven’t you bought the schoolhouse yet?”

I really fucking regretted telling him about that. He’d called me the night we were at the hospital, and I’d filled him in on our brief trip to Texas. And he’d brought it up every couple of weeks since I moved out of his guest bedroom. Feeling like I was under a magnifying glass, I said, “What did you say about unsecured debt?”

“It’s a trap that never pays off. And if you want to argue with me, I’ll point you toward the student loan crisis.”

“Right. So tell me what lender would want to work with me when I haven’t had a pay stub for months. Hell, half the people I’ve worked for still owe me.”

“You could take a home equity loan—”

“And risk keeping a roof over my renters’ heads?” I said. “They have children.”

“If you’d just let me—”

I glared at him, cutting him off.

“Fine,” he mumbled. “But for the record, you’re being fucking stupid. And someone’s going to buy that place if you don’t get a move on it.”

“Noted. But I think you’re wrong. It’s been for sale for almost six months. I’ve got time.”

He folded his hands on the table. “Number one mistake.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You know how I’ve been able to grow my company so quickly?”

“You’re smart,” I said easily. “You can always spot a good deal.”

“You can be smart as Einstein, but if you don’t move, it means nothing. I’ve grown my business because I don’t sit on a good opportunity. When I see something I want, I make it mine.”

I looked down at the beer in my cup and took a deep drink. “I think that’s enough life advice for one day.”

73

Henrietta

Confession: My grandma is my hero.

I walkedthrough the double glass doors Emerson Senior Living. My heart beat quickly, and my stomach turned with fear. Mom had told me move-in went well yesterday, but I wanted to see for myself that it was good enough for my grandma.

The front lobby area was cozy with gilded art, cushy chairs, and plants growing in pots along the wall. As I walked a little farther in, a woman walking by in scrubs greeted me.

“Hi there! Can I help you find something?” she asked.

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