Page 60 of Home Body
“Yeah. That’s only half of it. I told him I love him.”
“Wow. Did he say it back?”
“He said it first.”
“Oh my god! That never happens. At least not to anybody I know. Dalia, I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah, well, it almost seems too good to be true.”
“My dad insists that sometimes ‘too good to be true is true.’ It can happen.”
“Your dad’s a great guy, isn’t he?”
“Yup. He and my mom are still so in love.”
“So were my parents. My dad was a great guy, too. I know my mama misses him something awful. When Brody came over for supper last night, he danced her around the kitchen. She was so happy to have a man in the house again.”
“See? Too good to be true can be true. It was for them. Now it’s your turn.”
“And what about your turn? Have you met anybody? I know it hasn’t been long since Chad, but is there anybody else in the picture?”
“No. Well, not realistically. I met a nice guy in Cabos. An American. I don’t even know his last name. I call him Bart the Bartender. But he was very sweet to me. It felt good to know I’m not a total troll and somebody could be attracted to me.”
“Don’t say that! You’re not a troll. That’s stupid Chad the Cad talking.”
“Yes. You’re right. I need to get him out of my head. And I need more time between my wedding-funeral and another relationship so I don’t make the same mistake again.”
“Your time will come.”
“I hope so. If it doesn’t, I’ll be living with my parents and watching them be in love for the rest of my days. Gag.”
She pulled up at the truck stop and a spritely, elderly woman in jeans, a pretty blouse, and bright red sneakers hopped out of her car. Dr. Inez Crow was ready to get to work.
CHAPTER 35
Mamie answered the phone with her usual cheerful, “Hello. This is Mamie.” She listened for a few seconds and said, “Well, hello Llayne. How nice to hear from you.” She listened some more. “Why yes. I have a small red velvet cake. Rose and I are coming into town, close to your house. How about I drop it off? … No, no trouble at all. We’d love it. Rose’ll be thrilled to see her favorite storyteller. See you soon.”
She hung up to find Rose and Rover standing behind her.
“Are we gonna go see somebody?”
“Yes, dear. Miss Kenyon’s mother.”
“Oh! Mrs. ’Brien?”
“Mrs. O’Brien. There’s an ‘O’ in front of her name. Can you say that?”
“Sure. When do we go?”
“In a few minutes.”
“Yay!” The girl dashed upstairs to get ready.
Mamie enjoyed watching her granddaughter be so happy. There was something about Llayne O’Brien that mesmerized the child. After her first visit, they’d watched her on TV. Even though Rose had been bored by what the newscaster said, she’dbeen fascinated that her new friend was on the tube in their own living room.
By the time they arrived at Llayne and Mack O’Brien’s lovely home, Rose’s excitement couldn’t be contained. That was until she saw Mack. She hadn’t expected another new man in her life. Looking him up and down like maybe he was a ghoul, it seemed clear the little girl wasn’t sure he was good enough for her idol.
Her idol helped break the ice by inviting them inside and complimenting her on her outfit, her pink gymnastics leotard, pink tutu, and princess crown. “Why Rose, you are a vision. I love your outfit.”
