Page 85 of Fish out of Water
“We should absolutelynotget her a gun.” Grant took the statue from his grandmother’s hand.
“Why not?” His grandmother’s drawn-on brows went tight together. “She can’t take that statue with her everywhere.”
“She doesn’t need a gun.” He was clearly losing control of the situation.
If he had any to start with.
His grandmother leaned my way. “I’ll get you a gun if you want one, honey. I’ve got a guy.”
Grant’s eyes narrowed. “You better not have a guy.”
His grandmother lifted her shoulders in a shrug as her eyes slid off to one side.
Grant turned to his mother. “She’s kidding, right?”
His mother propped one hand on her hip. “What do you want me to do? She’s a grown woman.”
“We talked about this.” Grant turned from his mother to his grandmother.
Then back to his mother.
Then back to his grandmother.
The tension was killing me. “These scones are really good.”
Grant’s face slowly came my way. I lifted the cinnamon sugar pastry and gave him a little smile.
He wiped one hand down his face. “Christ.”
His grandmother swung at him. “Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.”
His head dropped back and he stared at the ceiling. I could swear he was counting.
“Here’s your coffee, sweetheart.” Grant’s mom passed me a cup. “Just give him a minute.”
I took the cup. “Thank you.”
She edged in closer. “I’m Elaine and this is Sylvia.”
I cut my sip of coffee short. “Julia.”
“What a lovely name.” His mother was beautiful. Her blonde hair was cut into a flattering swing of a bob and blown out to perfection. She had a full face of makeup at six in the morning, and was wearing a pair of houndstooth check tapered pants and a camel-colored shell that perfectly matched her tasseled slides.
I was definitely underdressed for the occasion. “Thank you.”
“How do you know our Grant, Julia?” His grandmother came right to my side, bumping past Grant as she did.
“Um.” I wasn’t sure how to answer the question. “I’m his uncle’s neighbor.”
Both women stared at me. His mother was the first to speak. “You live in Sweet Side Apartments?”
“Aren’t you a little young for that place?” His grandmother would have been useful to know about six months ago.
“I didn’t realize it was a retirement community when I moved in.” I glanced Grant’s way. He was still staring at the ceiling. “But I like it there.”
“Well that’s nice.” Sylvia patted my arm. “It’s good for a woman to live on her own.”
“Not for men. Once a woman lives on her own she knows how good it is.” Elaine looked Grant’s way. “Not to say living with a man can’t be great too.”
