Page 72 of The Ruckup
Turning to me, he takes a deep breath, wiping hand across his brow. “Just so you know, you have my permission to smash me in the face with a baking sheet if I ever act like that.”
My mother doesn’t give me a chance to respond. She sets the pan in the sink, expression sharp as she faces my dad. “Just so you know, if you ever act like that I will bury you in the backyard, because nothing’s going to keep me from being in my grandchild’s life.” Her eyes dart to me. “Yours and Maddie’s too.”
I smile. “I got what you were saying.”
My dad jerked his head in a nod. “Fair enough.” He goes to the sink, switching on the water before grabbing the dish liquid and squeezing some onto the baking pan that might now be sporting and indent of Mr. Miller’s face.
I watch in disbelief as he picks up the scrub brush and goes to work. I have never seen my dad wash a dish in my life. I didn’t know he was even aware how dish liquid worked.
After a few seconds, he notices me staring and glances up. Tipping his head to one side, he refocuses on his task. “Apparently, in addition to not being good at communicating my feelings, I’m also shit at pulling my own weight.”
I’m stunned. Honestly can’t believe what I’m seeing, but no matter how many times I blink, Dan is still standing in front of me washing dishes.
I didn’t come here with high hopes. I expected my conversation to go at least a little bit like Maddie’s did yesterday. Instead I was given accountability, understanding, and acceptance.
My parents gave me more than I would have considered hoping for.
Which is way better than what they gave Mr. Miller. All he got was a broken fucking nose.
25
The Universe and Elaine Servantes
Maddie
I DON’T THINK there have ever been this many people in my apartment. As a matter of fact, I know there have never been this many people in my apartment. Not since it's been mine, anyway. Leo and my parents are the only people who ever came here up until today.
Today, everyone and their sister is here.
Alexis and all her friends rallied, bringing a rented U-Haul and a bunch of boxes so I can get officially moved into Leo’s house.
I guess it’s our house now, which feels weird but completely normal at the same time.
In addition to Alexis and her friends, my Abuela is here, puttering around since she didn’t have anything else to do.
On top of Alexis and her friends and my Abuela, the girls from Sweet Side Apartments showed up, ready to help pack.
Leo and Gavin are supposed to come over after practice to help load furniture, but honestly I’m not sure they’ll fit. The place is packed to the gills.
Which is great considering I’m still green around the gills and there’s no way I could do this myself.
“I don’t think this is going to take us long at all.” Alexis surveys the situation, sipping at the coffee she brought with her. “Is there any special way you want everything packed up?”
I nibble my lower lip as I think. “Not really. I’m not sure how much of it we will even keep.”
Technically, I’m not the only one who will end up at the house, so I’m not sure what makes the most sense. I don’t have a ton of stuff, not really attached to any of it, so I honestly don’t care how it’s packed or organized.
“Got it.” Alexis asked like I gave her a perfectly reasonable answer. She turns to her friends, directing them into different realms before sending each one off with a box to fill.
Betty, Sharon, and Sylvia seemed to have come more to be nosy and socialized than to actually help, because they are all huddled together chatting up my Abuela. If I’m not mistaken, they were actually trying to get her to move into my apartment instead of the sweet Leo is building specifically for her.
If she wasn’t moving in with us, Sweet side Apartments might have been a good fit. It would offer her more social opportunities and I would be here five days a week to keep an eye on her.
But talking her out of living with me and Leo – especially since her great grandchild is on the way – is going to be impossible. I’m not going to tell the girls that, because I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble. Especially since they seem to be getting along so well with Abuela.
And I’m honestly not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
I force it down a couple gulps of the Ginger tea Leo’s mom has been buying me in bulk, hoping it soothes the rolling of my stomach. I’ve gotten used to the idea of being pregnant, but I’m not sure I will ever get used to feeling like this. It’s freaking awful, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
