Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Imagine that.” I narrow my eyes on Jean, but she just smiles innocently.
“It’s my job as a grandmother to spoil my grandchild.” She sniffs and turns to watch Alex tear into his gifts.
“A new video game!” He rushes over to show me. “Look, it’s the one I pointed out to you after Christmas.”
“I see that.”
“Can I play it after dinner?”
“No.”
The whole room goes quiet. Alex looks down in a pout, and Jean and Dan both frown.
“Why ever not?” Jean asks.
“Alex is being punished for lying, and for manipulating a situation.” Alex’s cheeks turn red. “Part of that punishment is no video games for a week. So, I’ll take this for now and put it with the others, and you can play it when you get your privileges back.”
“Not fair,” he grumbles.
“What did you say?” I ask, annoyed that he thinks he can get away with acting like this because his grandparents are here.
“Thank you,” he says. He’s smart enough to know when he’s on my last nerve.
“Well, I think we’ll hold onto the other gifts until the end of the week,” Dan says sternly and steers Alex into the dining room where the table is set.
I sigh and reach for the hot pot of chili and carry it to the dining room, then return for the cornbread and salad, but Jean has already grabbed them and is following me.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asks.
“I want to talk about a few things,” I reply.
“We’ll have plenty of time after dinner.” She sets the food down and pats my shoulder. “It sounds like Alex coming with us for the week is happening at a good time.”
I just smile and sit across from her, giving her the signal that we’ll discuss it later. Alex keeps us all entertained during dinner, filling Jean and Dan in on school, his friends, and going to watch movies in Max’s movie theater. Rocky lays at Alex’s feet, not whining or bothering anyone through dinner.
“How did you get him to stop begging?” I ask Alex, surprised.
“I watched YouTube videos on dog training,” he explains. “Before I got grounded from my electronics. Maybe you should give me my iPad back so I can keep training him.”
“He’ll still be trainable next week,” I reply.
“But, Mom—” I cock a brow, and Alex stops arguing. He sighs deeply and rests his head in his hand. “Okay. I’ll stop.”
“How is the shop?” Dan asks, changing the subject.
“Busy,” I reply happily. “We just had a big sale on the winter inventory, and I’m happy to report that most of it sold, giving me plenty of room for the spring stuff I have arriving next week.”
“I can’t believe it’s almost the middle of March,” Jean says, shaking her head. “I’ll have to stop into the shop to see what you have left.”
“I actually held a few things back for you because I knew you’d be here this week. I think you’ll like them. If you don’t, I can still sell them.”
“You always know just what to choose for me,” Jean says with a proud smile. “Thank you, dear.”
“My pleasure.” I specifically order pieces for Jean and my mom, and several other older ladies in the community who enjoy fashion and want higher-end options. I take pride in having something for everyone in my store, no matter their age or size.
All girls deserve to feel good in the clothes they wear.
“Is your mom still working there part-time?” Dan asks.
“Yes, she helps cover for me. I finally hired two new girls, and they’re catching on quickly, so that helps, too.”
“I’m so glad it’s going well,” Jean says as she finishes her chili, then carries her bowl to the kitchen.
“Papa, do you want to watch Captain America with me after dinner?” Alex asks. Evening movies or TV shows are one thing I didn’t take away from him this week.
After all, I don’t want to punish myself, as well.
“Of course, I do,” Dan says.
After we’ve all finished our meals, I clear the table as Dan and Alex take Rocky outside for a quick walk.
“Talk to me,” Jean says when I join her at the sink, rinsing bowls.
“I didn’t think he would be so difficult at nine,” I confess. “I didn’t expect to suddenly have to deal with fibbing and pouting and manipulation. I was expecting it at sixteen. I’m not ready.”
“Ah, the joys of parenthood,” she says with a sigh. She no longer has the sadness in her eyes when she thinks of being a mom and losing her only child so suddenly. “He’s a smart boy, and he knows what he wants.”
“Yes, and apparently, that includes going skiing,” I say and watch Jean’s eyes widen. “Exactly. I’ve told him no over and over again this winter, but he managed to convince Max that I would be okay with it the other day, and they went.”