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February 24 - March 15, 2023
‘Most women use more brains picking a horse in the third at Belmont than they do picking a husband.’
On impulse, I posted the photo online. #Catholic #LovingTheSimpleLife #LoveHonestMen
There were only two luggage carousels and no porters to help me with my luggage. However, a college football team was arriving for a weekend game, and the players helped get my luggage onto a cart.
I wasn’t amused. “What does it eat?” “I’m tempted to say, whatever he wants.” He paused. If he had expected laughter from me, he was disappointed.
Baby watched until the man was out of sight and then released the tension that made the hair on his neck stand up and eased his butt onto the seat. He looked straight ahead as if nothing had happened.
“Can you recommend a pizza parlor.”
Question mark
“Baby, come.” Had it been only a few hours earlier that I hadn’t wanted anything to do with the giant dog? Now I had to admit there was something very comforting about having this powerful beast by my side, especially when wandering into unknown territory.
The idea of grocery-store baked goods sent a shiver up my spine.
However, there was something satisfying in working hard for something that belonged to you.
The stranger pounded louder and pointed to the knob. I shook my head and pointed to the sign indicating we were closed. Unfortunately, he merely pounded louder. “We’re closed,” I yelled.
Baby got up and stretched as though he’d just worked a twelve-hour shift on a chain gang.
“Who knew there were so many nutrients in eggshells?” Baby licked his lips as though to say, Yep, you should have asked me.
How would she know that?
When I spoke, my voice had a Lauren Bacall huskiness. “Thank you.”
When I was sure he was gone, I indulged in a happy dance. I did it. I made a decision, and I knew in my heart that I’d made the right decision.
It took longer than I thought to clean, and I had the feeling that Baby was insulted. He sat in the passenger seat and barely made eye contact with me the entire time.
Where is the question mark?
“Michael, what a surprise,” April said. “Are you here alone?” She flashed a big smile his way, which, for a brief moment, made me wonder if she might have a crush on him. I felt a flutter in my stomach that I refused to analyze.
Noooo
“I know I’m old-fashioned, but I just can’t have a woman pay for my meal.”
“How’d you know about that?” He held up his phone. “Gotta love social media.” I turned away so he couldn’t see my smile. He was following me!
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data,” April said, quoting a famous passage. “Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”
Baby yawned, and I nearly passed out. “We’re going to need to work on your oral hygiene.”
“What do I know about him?” Bradley Ellison was young, ambitious, a social climber, someone who liked the best things in life. He was cocky, shallow, and self-centered. The reality hit me. “He’s just like me.”
“Mrs. Portman, how did you get here? Doesn’t Michael usually drive you?” “He called someone named Uber, and he picked me up and brought me here.” Unfortunately, Leroy chose that exact moment to take a sip of water. He choked and spewed water all over himself.
Airhead? I was so mad, my curls started straightening out from the steam coming from my ears.
Our eyes fixed, and I could feel the heat coming from my body.
“Leroy has a mom?”
“Maddy, I hope this is you. Of course it’s you. You’re a smart girl. I knew you’d find this.” She smiled and her eyes reflected how proud she was of me. I teared up at the idea that this great-aunt whom I’ve never met believed in me, while my own father didn’t. I’d never seen The Admiral look at me like this, anyway.
There was a click, and Aunt Octavia looked around. Then she stopped the recording. I sat staring at the black screen until I heard a howl. Baby stared at the screen as though he were trying to command his old mistress to come back.
Brad smiled, and his teeth reminded me of the wolf’s in “Little Red Riding Hood”—All the better to eat you with.
