Page 39 of Doctorshipped
“Actually what. He’s actually what?”
“Well, he’s amazing with you. One of the best dads I’ve ever seen. He loves you with all he is.”
She beams. “He does. But, if you think about it, I’m easy to love.”
“You sure are,” I agree.
“But besides being my dad? Do you think he’s too difficult?”
“He’s … an acquired taste.”
Fiona laughs hard.
“Like Brussels sprouts!”
“Exactly like Brussels sprouts.”
“Do you like Brussels sprouts, Miss Jayme?”
“I actually do. They’re a little bitter, but when roasted in oil with seasoning, parmesan and bacon, they are some of my favorites. I didn’t like them at your age, though.”
“So that means you could learn to like my dad.”
“I guess it does.” I smile at her. “I don’t not like him.”
“I know. You don’t have to explain.”
She turns and starts loosening the muffins from the tin with a butter knife. Obviously, she’s done this before. I tend to forget she had a mom at one time.
“Where did you learn to loosen muffins like that?”
“My grams. She’s gone now. But she loved baking with me. She just never taught me the mixing part because I always got messed up. Grams was my dad’s mom. You’re a little like her.”
“I am?”
My heart swells at the compliment.
“Not being old. She was old, of course. But, yeah. You always make people feel better when you’re around. That’s how Grams was. She was short like you too.”
“Hey. I’m not short. I’m just compact. Except my hips and my belly. I think my height got spread sideways in some places.”
“I think you’re perfect,” Fiona says with such sincerity I almost unexpectedly tear up.
“You’re pretty perfect yourself. Now let’s box up these muffins for you to take home.”
14
GRANT
“What’s your last name?” Jayme asks.
We’re waiting in my office for Fiona to come down for her tutoring session. After today, Fiona will start school and Jayme will mostly only be assisting with homework. She’s done more good in the three sessions she’s had so far than I expected.
The waiting room sits momentarily empty. I thought I’d spend the time alone reading the medical journals that arrived this week in the mail. I still get the hard copies because I like thumbing through them in the evenings after Fiona’s in bed. Some people watch TV. I read about eczema and bunions. To each their own.
“Why do you need to know?” I answer her without looking up.
“Why wouldn’t I want to know? Most people share their last names. Unless you’re like Adele, Beyoncé, or The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. But they don’t have last names to share. What if another Grant happens to move into town. People will need to know your last name. That way one person can say,Which Grant?and the other person will say,Grant Higgenbottom,or whatever.”
