Page 26 of The Disasters of Dating
My phone buzzes with a message, and I pull it out.
(603) 538-7114
I’m sorry to have bothered you! Thanks for letting me know. I would hate to chew out my bro for leaving me hanging at the restaurant when he didn’t even get the text.
I look down at it. I don’t need to engage, right? I did my part and made sure he knew it was a wrong number. But it feels a little rude not to acknowledge his gratitude.
You’re welcome!
I slip my phone back into my pocket. And glance over toward the Boston gate. They must have called his section because Keaton is walking toward the attendant standing at the door to the jetway.
I frown. I’m not sure why I feel a stab of disappointment. It’s not like we are dating. And besides, he’s coming back on Sunday—not that he promised to come see me or anything. I move out from behind the counter and start straightening shelves that don’t need straightening. But I obviously need something to occupy my mind.
My phone rings and I answer it before I notice who is on the other end. Oh, crap. It’s Grandma Alice. I shut my eyes and brace myself. When Sadie got a call like this, it was to trick her into going to the family reunion.
“Hi, Grandma,” I say in as chipper a voice as I can manage. My Grandma Sue or any one of my cousins on my mom’s side could totally tell it’s fake. But Grandma Alice has never taken the time to get to know me or my siblings very well.
“Hello, Alice, dear,” she says in her ’I’m superior’ tone. Yes, she calls me Alice. My parents, in their quest for even-stevenness, named me Poppy Alice Ashcombe—Alice after my Grandma Alice (duh) because they’d given Sadie the middle name of Sue after my Grandma Sue (another duh). But Grandma Alice thinks the name Poppy is flighty and irresponsible. So she refuses to call me anything but my middle name. Yeah, lucky me. “How are you doing? I missedseeing you at the reunion.” Read—I’m still unhappy you did not do my bidding and come to the reunion.
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I know. I missed seeing you, too,” I lie like a rug. I did not spend a single second missing Grandma Alice—or any of my dad’s family, if I’m being completely honest. They all look down on our little branch of the family. They look at us as the poor stepchild. Even though my dad was not a stepchild. He was, however, a disappointment. He didn’t follow in the family business, and then he did the unthinkable and moved away from Alaska.
“I’m so glad to hear that. I just spoke with your mom, and she said that you are on break from school for the next few weeks.” I scowl. My mom and I are going to have words about what she can and can’t tell Grandma Alice. I’m surprised she’s even talking to Grandma Alice after what she tried to pull on Sadie at the reunion. “Anyway, dear. I thought since you are not in school right now, you might come up and visit me in Alaska. It won’t be like the reunion, but we could still do some things together.” There is a sugary sweetness in her voice that I don’t trust. She has something up her sleeve.
“Oh, man. I wish I could. But I took on extra shifts at work to earn a little extra money. You know, trying to get ahead financially…make sure I have enough money for next semester.” She can’t refute that, right? I’m showing a very un-Poppy-name trait right now. And it’s also complete crap. I’m working some shifts, but I’ve taken off more time than usual because I want to enjoy my school break. It might be my last real break if I get accepted into an MBA program. But I’m not about to share that information.
She offers a tight, fake laugh. “Alice, dear, you don’t need to worry about that. I told you I would give you the money for your education.”
I frown at the face I have with her contact information. It’s a very stiff-looking photo. And she is wearing a very condescending expression. It looks exactly like her.
I know that her money comes with strings. Lots and lots of strings. I let out a fake, pouty sigh. “I know,” I purr into the phone. “It’s so kind of you to offer. But I want to do this on my own. I need to prove to myself that I can. You know what I mean?” She knows, but that doesn’t mean she likes it. Me doing it on my own takes her control away. And if there is anything my Grandma Alice hates, it’s losing control. I think that is one of the reasons she treats us like she does. Because my dad didn’t allow her to control him, and we are the product of that. When she looks at us, we’re a constant reminder that she couldn’t controleverything. “But I want to see you. And there is someone I want to introduce to you.”
My brows go up. What? Who could she want to introduce me to? Did she not learn her lesson with Sadie?
“I know, Grandma. I want to see you too. But I’ve already committed to working, and I can’t get a replacement now. Not with this short notice.” This is where I have it better than Sadie. Everyone knows Sadie can do her job anywhere with an internet connection. So she couldn’t use her job as an excuse to get out of the reunion. I, on the other hand, can. And will…with no hesitation at all.
“Family is more important than your dead-end job at the airport, Alice.” Her tone is sharp and irritated. Now the true Grandma Alice comes out. I knew she was lurking in there somewhere.
“It may be a dead-end, Grandma, but it is a means to an end. I only have two more semesters and then I’ll graduate. Then I can look at working somewhere else.” I haven’t ever told her my goal of opening a chain of airport newsstand shops. She would call the plan ‘imbecilic’ or something equally unkind. I’m also not telling her about my plans to go to grad school. If I know her, she’ll figure out a way to pay for my tuition, and then I’ll be beholden to her. And I refuse to take that path. My momma didn’t raise no stupid children…except Brody and Sadie, apparently.
She lets out an irritated sigh. “Why must you girls make everything so difficult? I’m trying to improve your lives, and you fight me every step of the way. I don’t understand it.”
I think about my horoscope this morning. It said I should speak my mind. But it’s never met Grandma Alice. I’m sure if it had, it would eat those words. I chew on my cheek for a minute. But then I shrug. Maybe that is why she is so entitled—because no one has ever told her how they feel. I open my mouth, but then I shut it. Never mind. I’m not going to be the first to do it. At least not today. “I’m really sorry, Grandma. I wish there was a way we could work something out.”
She huffs. “I’m not happy about this, Alice.”
“I’m sure you’re not, Grandma. But wouldn’t you rather I be a responsible person and not see you as often than an irresponsible person who sees you frequently?” I already know the answer to the question. She only cares about responsibility when it affects her. Otherwise, she doesn’t care two hoots about it.
“If you’d come visit me, I’m certain you could have both things.” There is a tone to her voice that sets my teeth on edge.
“Hey, Grandma, I need to let you go. I’m at work and a customer iswaiting. Talk to you soon. Bye.” I hang up with her still sputtering on the other end. There isn’t a customer, but I feel no remorse. It took many years to come to that attitude. But when you’re dealing with the likes of Alice Josephine Hartwell Ashcombe, you have to develop a backbone sometime, or she’ll walk all over you.
I pull out my phone and text Sadie.
Grandma Alice just called. She tried to guilt me into visiting. She said she wants to introduce me to someone. Did she learn nothing from you??? I told her it couldn’t happen and hung up with her sputtering on the other end.
Sadie
Are you serious? My blowing up at her did nothing? I’m so done with her.
